In a shocking case of deceit and fraud, a 32-year-old man from Pune has been apprehended for impersonating an army officer, using his false identity to impress women on matrimonial websites, cheat shopkeepers, and gain unwarranted privileges at toll booths. This elaborate scheme of deception came to light when the Military Intelligence (MI) Southern Command Pune team received information about his fraudulent activities. With the assistance of the Pune Crime Branch, the MI team conducted a search at the suspect’s residence, leading to a confession and subsequent arrest.
Details of the Case:
The man in question, identified as Prashant Bhaurao Patil, had previously served as a Lance Havaldar in the Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force, for twelve years before deserting in 2019. Despite his desertion, Patil continued to present himself as an army officer, assuming the rank of Subedar or even Colonel of the 9th Para (Special Forces). His deceptive charade involved frequent visits to the Southern Command Headquarters in Pune Camp, where he would dress in an army uniform, aiming to deceive others into believing he held a high-ranking position.
Upon receiving a complaint filed by policeman Amol Pilane of the Anti-Extortion Cell-2 (Crime Branch), an FIR was registered against Patil at Bund Garden police station. The charges against him include fraud, impersonation, and forgery under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Assistant Police Inspector Changdev Sajgane has been entrusted with leading the investigation into this complex case.
During the search conducted at Patil’s residence, the police discovered an Aadhaar card and other identification documents containing a photograph of an army uniform, along with the address of the Southern Command office. It was revealed that Patil exploited these forged documents to deceive individuals and evade toll fees while traveling. His fraudulent activities extended to cheating people in Ahmednagar and Pune, including at least one woman.
Further investigation revealed that Patil had purchased army uniforms and materials from a shop in Khadki’s Line Bazaar area, but he had failed to fulfill his financial obligations to the shopkeeper, a retired soldier. The shopkeeper confirmed that Patil had purchased two army officer uniforms worth Rs 4,700 but had not made the payment.
As evidence, the police seized two uniforms, three phones (including an iPhone 14), and various identity documents during the course of the investigation.
