Chandigarh: Chandigarh Police has arrested a Rohtak-based man accused of impersonating a senior government officer and an IPS officer and allegedly cheating a 29-year-old PhD scholar of Panjab University of nearly ₹30 lakh on the pretext of marriage, a government job and financial assistance.
The accused has been identified as Amit Kumar Balhara. He was produced before a court on Monday and sent to one-day police remand, according to officials.
The case was registered in August following a complaint by the woman, who told police that she had met Balhara through a matrimonial platform several months earlier.
Accused Allegedly Claimed to Be IPS Officer
According to the complaint, Balhara introduced himself as an Assistant Commissioner (Excise and Luxury) and claimed to be a gazetted officer posted at Vikas Bhawan in New Delhi.
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The complainant further alleged that he represented himself as an IPS officer and sent her photographs wearing a police uniform. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding these claims.
After gaining her confidence, Balhara allegedly told the woman that his mother was seriously ill and sought financial assistance. He also allegedly promised to help her secure a government job.
Between March and June, the accused allegedly received around ₹7.88 lakh through online transfers, according to the complaint.
Woman Alleges Cash and Jewellery Were Taken
The complainant alleged that Balhara subsequently took around ₹11.5 lakh in cash and nearly 82 grams of gold jewellery, including two bangles, two chains and a locket, during a meeting at a hotel in Daria, Chandigarh.
She also alleged that he provided her with documents that purported to relate to a government job, including a fake job advertisement and interview letter and messages allegedly linked to a research institute in Sector 30, Chandigarh.
The woman later demanded the return of her money, jewellery and laptop, following which Balhara allegedly threatened her with the circulation of her photographs on social media and harm to her brother.
Police Probe Underway
Following the complaint, Chandigarh Police registered an FIR under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and began investigating the alleged impersonation, cheating and related offences.
The accused was subsequently arrested and remanded to police custody for one day for further investigation.
Police are expected to examine the documents allegedly provided by the accused, financial transactions and other material relevant to the complaint as part of the investigation.
