Fake IAS officer cooling his heels in police custody

After masquerading as a senior IAS officer from the Federal Ministry of Commerce and enjoying the best of Government hospitality as a privileged guest, an imposter finally fell into the police net in Mangalore in Karnataka on Sunday evening.

The fake IAS officer identified as Subramanya Swamy from Andhra Pradesh managed to enjoy all the facilities extended to a state guest as per the official protocol in Udupi and Mangalore districts of Karnataka. He was provided the best of vehicles for travel and plush accommodation, besides security guards for two days till his bluff was called.

Subramanya Swamy’s dream run began after he, posing as an IAS officer, telephoned Udupi district superintendent of police and informed him about his arrival along with his personal assistant on September 2. The police sent an official vehicle – Toyota Qualis – to receive the “IAS officer” and had him put up at a plush hotel.

The imposter later even had the nerve to meet the Deputy Commissioner later in the day lunch with him. He toured several pilgrim centers in Udupi district before reaching neighbouring Mangalore the next day in the car provided to him by the Udupi district administration.

He called up the Deputy Commissioner of Mangalore district and sought the same facilities extended to him by Udupi district administration. He also sought additional security as he had travel in naxal-infested areas of the district. Few could suspect the identity of the imposter as he was speaking with aplomb in Hindi, English and Telugu.

But, the headquarters assistant to the Deputy Commissioner in Mangalore H G Bhat smelt a rat when Subramanya Swamy claimed he was a 1986-batch IAS officer. He alerted the Superintendent of Mangalore district police B Dayananda. Soon, the police learnt that there was nobody by Subramanya Swamy’s name in the list of IAS officers. A quick communication with senior officials in New Delhi confirmed the doubts of Mangalore police.

A team of policemen soon reached the Government Guest House, where the imposter was taking rest. After being subjected to an interrogation, Subramanya Swamy blurted out the truth. The imposter was planning to leave Mangalore by the night train and the police managed to nail him in the nick of time, police claimed. Both Subramanya Swamy and his “personal assistant” Nagaraj were arrested.