43-yr-old poses as Home Ministry official, arrested

The Delhi Police arrested a 43-year-old man accused of impersonating an official from the office of the OSD (Officer on Special Duty) to the Home Minister, police officials said on Thursday.

The police said on October 9, it received a PCR call regarding a property dispute in Brijpuri, Delhi. Upon reaching the site, two persons, Sanjay Kumar and Tohid Malik, both claimed ownership over the property. Failing to produce the necessary ownership documents, Malik sought more time.

“During the investigation, a person claiming to be an official from the OSD Office of the Ministry of Home Affairs repeatedly called the assigned officer, threatening him with dire consequences if the property was not handed over to Malik, ” said DCP (North-East), Rakesh Paweriya said.

The same individual also called ACP Gokalpuri issuing similar threats, the official said. “The impersonator even visited the Dayalpur police station, threatening the staff and attempting to pressurise them into giving the property to Malik.”

Upon further inquiry, it was revealed that the individual was falsely representing himself as an official to influence the police in favour of Malik, the DCP added.

A case was registered under Sections 319(2), 351(2), 204, and 61 of the BNS, and an investigation was initiated.

Using technical surveillance and a secret informer to trace the mobile number used in the offence, the police eventually located the accused Navin Kumar in Sector 51, Noida. Kumar was arrested, and the mobile phone and SIM card used in the crime were recovered from his possession.

He highlighted that the MC requires 112 mechanical road sweeping machines to effectively address air quality concerns. However, he pointed out that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has not made any progress in this regard.

“The Central Government allocated Rs 35 crore for tackling air pollution, but without a standing committee, the purchase of 18 machines is still pending,” he noted. “As a result, we are unable to utilise the old funds, and the next instalment from the central government is also stalled,” he added.

Criticising the AAP government’s claims about its budget for cleaning roads, Singh said, “They promised Rs 1,200 crore to combat air pollution, but that commitment remains only on paper. As a result of its inaction, the people of Delhi are left to breathe toxic air.” He called for accountability, urging the AAP government and the Mayor to apologise to the citizens for their failures in controlling air pollution and suggested that they should resign from the corporation.