Mumbai: Nearly a month after the arrest of a Navi Mumbai resident accused of impersonating an IAS officer attached to the office of Amit Shah and attempting to influence police action in a cheque-bounce case, Mumbai Crime Branch has now booked a medical practitioner allegedly linked to the matter.
Police have issued a notice to Dr Asmita Sarang, a resident of Grant Road, under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), since the alleged offences attract punishment of less than seven years and do not require immediate arrest.
A senior police officer confirmed that further questioning of the doctor will take place as investigators examine her role and possible links with the arrested accused.
Accused Allegedly Posed as IAS Officer Attached to Union Home Minister’s Office
The main accused, Mohammed Munir Pathan (42), a resident of Vashi in Navi Mumbai, was earlier arrested by the Crime Intelligence Unit of the Mumbai Crime Branch for allegedly posing as “IAS officer Pawan Kumar Yadav, PS to Amit Shah”.
According to investigators, Pathan allegedly contacted a Delhi Police constable and attempted to pressure him into not acting against Dr Sarang during execution of a court-issued warrant.
Read also: Rajasthan IAS Officer’s Driver Arrested for Financial Misuse, Document Leak in Bhavnagar
Threat Call During Cheque Bounce Warrant Execution
The case surfaced in March when Hanumantu Raju, attached to Delhi Police’s Connaught Place police station, arrived in Mumbai to execute a bailable warrant issued against Dr Sarang in a cheque dishonour matter.
Soon after the constable contacted the doctor, he allegedly received a threatening phone call from the impersonator, who introduced himself as a senior IAS officer linked to the Union Home Minister’s office and attempted to stop the legal process.
Probe Expands to Senior Police Contacts
Investigators are now examining whether Pathan also tried to influence senior officers in unrelated cases.
Police sources revealed that call detail records showed contact between Pathan and two Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs).
A senior officer said investigators are checking whether Pathan influenced registration of a separate cheating FIR or whether that case proceeded independently.
Company Registered in Names of Accused and Doctor Under Scrutiny
During the investigation, Crime Branch officers also found a company registered jointly in the names of Pathan and Dr Sarang.
The financial transactions, ownership structure, and operational activities of this company are now under examination to determine whether it had any connection to the alleged impersonation or other fraudulent activities.
SIM Card Procured Using Another Person’s Identity
Police found that Pathan had allegedly obtained the SIM card used in the impersonation by using the identity documents of an acquaintance, to whom he reportedly paid ₹3,000.
This aspect has added identity fraud and misuse of telecom documentation to the ongoing probe.
Charges Under BNS and IT Act
Following the complaint, the case was transferred to Mumbai Crime Branch’s Crime Intelligence Unit, which traced and arrested Pathan.
He has been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for:
- cheating
- impersonation
- criminal deception
He also faces charges under the Information Technology Act.
Investigators are now examining whether additional individuals were involved in helping him establish credibility while impersonating a senior government officer.
