Fake IAS officer dupes Youth Cong secy of Rs 2L

Ludhiana: A man impersonating as an IAS officer duped the Punjab Youth Congress secretary of Rs 2.19 lakh on the pretext of helping him in getting a tender of repairing the runway at Sahnewal Airport.

The accused posed as the joint secretary in the aviation department.

The Daresi police have lodged an FIR against the imposter, identified as Amitabh Pratap Chauhan, and his aide Abhishek Ranjan for cheating.

Punjab Youth Congress secretary Vijay Kumar of Chandigarh road is also in the business of property and construction. He claimed that he had met Chauhan six months ago in Chandigarh. The accused used to invite him at Punjab Bhawan and MLA hostel for meetings.

Vijay Kumar said the accused told him that he held charge of development of Sahnewal airport. The accused also claimed that they are repairing runway for which tenders are being invited.

He alleged, "Chauhan told me that he could help me get the tender and asked me to transfer Rs 2.19 lakh in the account of Abhishek Ranjan. I transferred the money on July 16. The next day, the accused further demanded Rs 6.40 lakh for processing of tenders, but in cash. When Chauhan told that he is sending someone to collect the money, I found the matter suspicious. When I cross checked at my own level, I found that there is no IAS officer with this name. Thereafter I lodged an FIR.”

ASI Gurwinder Singh, investigating officer, said the police have launched a manhunt to nab the accused. A case under Sections 419 (cheating by personation) and 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the IPC has been registered against the duo.