After failing to clear the UPSC Civil Services Examination despite four attempts, a 35-year-old man spent seven years living under a false identity, posing as a senior Central government officer to meet his family’s expectations. The impersonation was uncovered on Saturday after Palamu police questioned him over suspicious claims.
The accused, identified as Rajesh Kumar, had been presenting himself as an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and later as an officer of the Indian P&T Accounts and Finance Service (IPTAFS). Police seized fake identity cards, a mobile phone, and a car fitted with an official-looking nameplate during the investigation.
Suspicion raised at police station
Doubts surfaced on Friday when Rajesh arrived at the Hussainabad police station claiming to be a 2014-batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre. He offered to mediate in a land-related dispute and told officers that he had previously served in Dehradun, Hyderabad, and Bhubaneswar.
His statements about postings in multiple states raised red flags. When questioned further, he altered his claim and said he was an IPTAFS officer selected through UPSC. Soon after, he left the police station. The station in-charge alerted the Hussainabad Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), who ordered a verification of his credentials.
Seven-year deception unravels
A preliminary inquiry revealed that Rajesh was not an IPTAFS officer. Police summoned him and asked for documents such as his appointment letter and official identity card, which he failed to produce. During sustained questioning, he confessed to impersonating a government officer.
According to police, Rajesh admitted that his father had always wanted him to become an IAS officer. After failing the UPSC examination four times, he chose to lie to his family and relatives, claiming he had secured a prestigious central service position. He continued living under this false identity for seven years.
A case has been registered against him under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 204, 205, 336(2), 336(3), 337, 339, and 340(2). Further investigation is ongoing.
