Police in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar have uncovered a significant financial link involving a sitting Member of Parliament in their ongoing investigation of a woman who impersonated an IAS officer and lived in a city hotel for six months. The money trail has led to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP from Hingoli, Nagesh Ashtikar.
MP's Transaction Under Scanner
Investigators scrutinising bank accounts found that out of the total Rs 32.7 lakh deposited into the account of the accused, Kalpana Trimbakrao Bhagwat, a sum of Rs 1.45 lakh was transferred from the account of MP Nagesh Ashtikar. Senior police officers confirmed that formal notices have been issued to all individuals and entities who sent money to Bhagwat's account, asking them to appear and record their statements.
The core question police are now examining is whether these transactions were voluntary donations or part of a larger fraudulent scheme. "We are currently examining whether these transactions were voluntary financial help or linked to fraudulent activities," a senior officer stated.
The MP's Explanation and Wider Financial Web
When contacted by the media, MP Nagesh Ashtikar acknowledged the money transfer. He explained that Bhagwat had approached him through party workers, initially seeking donations for temple construction and later claiming she needed help after an accident. "Being an MP, people come to us seeking help, and we do whatever we can," Ashtikar said. He vehemently denied any knowledge of her alleged impersonation or criminal activities and promised full cooperation with the investigation if summoned.
The police revealed that the funds in Bhagwat's account originated from multiple districts across Maharashtra. The money was allegedly collected under various false pretexts, including:
- Donations for religious philanthropy
- Funds for medical emergencies
- Payments for facilitating government projects
Investigators are now mapping all transactions to determine if the money was obtained through misrepresentation and to identify any potential political, administrative, or foreign influences.
Deepening Probe: Foreign Links and AI-Generated Evidence
This financial scrutiny is part of a much larger investigation into Kalpana Bhagwat's activities. The probe has already exposed her associations with foreign nationals. One is her Afghan boyfriend, Mohammed Ashraf Khil, who was recently arrested in Delhi. The other is Dimpy Harjai alias Abhishek Choudhari, who pretended to be an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Union Home Minister. Both are currently in police custody for 10 days.
In a modern twist to the scam, police have also unearthed AI-generated morphed photographs. These fabricated images show Bhagwat posing as an IAS officer with prominent political leaders and in fictitious roles within the Union Home Ministry, which she likely used to bolster her false identity.
The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar police continue to piece together the complex puzzle, which now intertwines alleged impersonation, financial fraud, political connections, and international links.
