Indore: A 28-year-old man from Gujarat has been arrested in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore for allegedly impersonating an IAS officer and district collector, after a hotel raised questions when he left without paying a bill for a party.
The accused, identified as Himanshu Panchal, a resident of Ahmedabad, had allegedly presented himself as “Raj Soni” and claimed to hold the position of a district collector. Police said he was arrested on Wednesday and booked under Section 204 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with impersonating a public servant.
Hotel Bill Raises Suspicion
According to police, Panchal had recently hosted a party for 16 people at a five-star hotel in Indore. When the bill was to be settled, he allegedly claimed that he had no money and told hotel staff that his personal assistant would arrive within two hours to make the payment.
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The hotel staff became suspicious and alerted the police. When questioned, Panchal initially maintained that he was an IAS officer but could not produce documents establishing his identity or posting.
Key points:
- Panchal allegedly introduced himself as “Raj Soni”.
- He claimed to be an IAS officer and district collector.
- He reportedly hosted a party for 16 people at a five-star hotel.
- He allegedly told staff that his PA would pay the bill.
- Police later arrested him under Section 204 of the BNS.
Fake Collector Nameplate Found at Residence
Following the complaint, police searched Panchal’s rented accommodation in the Lasudia police station area. They found a black nameplate outside the house bearing the words “IAS Raj Soni – District Collector”.
Police also recovered other material that allegedly supported the false identity, including a photo frame carrying the words “Satyamev Jayate”. Panchal reportedly failed to provide any official document confirming that he was an IAS officer.
Police Probe Possible Use of Fake Identity
Further verification by the police revealed that his actual identity was Himanshu Panchal, son of Yogesh Panchal, a resident of the Sabarmati area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Police subsequently searched his rented accommodation in Indore and recovered material allegedly used to support his claimed identity as an IAS officer.
Police said Panchal had moved to Indore about a month before his arrest and had previously worked for an IT company in Ahmedabad. Investigators are examining whether he used the alleged fake identity to obtain money, favours or influence others.
Police have also found that a cheating case was registered against Panchal in Gujarat, and further investigation is underway.
The case highlights the investigation into how Panchal allegedly maintained the false identity and whether there were other instances in which he represented himself as a government officer.
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