A major investigation into a woman impersonating an IAS officer has uncovered a sprawling network of deception targeting political figures across multiple cities in Maharashtra. The case, centered on Kalpana Bhagwat, has escalated dramatically with police revealing her involvement in numerous high-profile frauds.
The Elaborate Scheme of False Promises
Authorities have detailed that Bhagwat, along with her associate Dimpy Harjai (also known as Abhishek Choudhari), orchestrated a complex scheme to extract money from local leaders. Their primary method involved making false promises of securing prestigious Padma Shri awards, nominations for Rajya Sabha seats, and facilitating substantial government transfers.
Harjai, who previously worked as a driver for an administrative officer in Delhi, allegedly used claims of having influence within the Union government to lure victims. He posed as a person capable of facilitating nominations for the Padma Shri and recommendations for the Rajya Sabha. Bhagwat mirrored these tactics, using the same false claims to establish credibility before demanding payments.
Multi-City Fraud and High-Profile Targets
The police investigation has traced the duo's operations to several cities, including Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Amravati, Hingoli, and Ahilyanagar. In one specific instance, investigators stated that Bhagwat allegedly offered a Nagpur-based leader a Rajya Sabha seat in exchange for a significant payment.
The scale of the fraud has raised serious concerns about the network's reach. Police have so far issued notices to 28 people who were in contact with Bhagwat or had financial dealings with her. A senior officer involved in the probe confirmed that among those questioned is a former Vice-Chancellor of Nagpur University, currently residing in Pune, whose statement has been recorded.
Case Expands Beyond Impersonation
What began as an impersonation case has now widened into a much larger investigation. Officers are now examining potential charges of forgery, cheating, and misuse of government identity. Investigators are also looking into possible foreign links related to the scam.
A key piece of evidence recovered is a forged letter appointing Kalpana Bhagwat as Secretary in the Union Ministry of Power. Police allege she used this document to gain access to government officials in Delhi, further bolstering her false credentials.
Police Commissioner's Directives and Ongoing Probe
Given the seriousness of the revelations, the Commissioner of Police for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Pravin Pawar, conducted a comprehensive review of the entire case. This review took place shortly after he resumed office on Tuesday. Following the assessment, Commissioner Pawar issued specific directives to advance the investigation further.
The police are now focused on mapping the entire network, understanding the total financial scale of the fraud, and identifying all victims. The case highlights vulnerabilities that individuals exploiting aspirations for political and official honors can target.
