New Delhi, June 20: In a major breakthrough, Delhi Police has arrested a habitual impersonator who allegedly posed as an Additional District Magistrate (ADM) and cheated multiple individuals to the tune of Rs 60 lakh on the pretext of securing government jobs and arranging land allotments.

According to an official press release issued by the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central District), the accused identified as Pawan Kumar Pandey @ Varun Kumar Pandey, a resident of Gandhi Vihar, Delhi, aged 43 years, was apprehended by a dedicated team from PP Sidhipura, PS DBG Road.

The police stated that the accused “posed as an Additional District Magistrate and preyed on trust,” deceiving victims by projecting himself as a senior government officer with close links to top officials.

The case originated from a complaint received on 23.03.2026 at PP Sidhipura, wherein the accused allegedly introduced himself as “Varun Kumar Pandey, ADM, Uttar Pradesh.” He is accused of falsely assuring victims of government jobs and allotment of plots in Noida under official schemes.

The press note stated that “cheating of approximately ₹60 lakh on the pretext of government jobs and land allotment was exposed.” Based on the complaint, FIR No. 206/2026 was registered under relevant Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 318(4), 316(2), 319(2), 204 and 61(2).

Police said multiple forged identity cards, visiting cards and documents were recovered during the investigation. The accused had also created a strong digital footprint using WhatsApp chats, audio recordings, screenshots and e-Sakshya video evidence.

Officials added that a “financial trail was established through bank accounts and UPI transactions,” confirming receipt of large sums of money from victims through intermediaries. Investigators also identified assets purchased from proceeds of crime, including a Swift car and a scooty.

During verification, police found that the accused had been using the identity of a real PCS officer. A senior officer noted that verification with Varun Kumar Pandey, PCS (2015 batch), former ADM Jhansi, confirmed misuse of his identity and designation.

The accused allegedly used publicly available information and photographs to convincingly project himself as an ADM posted at different locations, including Lodhi Road, and to support earlier claims of having served in Uttar Pradesh.

During interrogation, the accused admitted to impersonating an ADM for several years and using forged documents to gain trust and cheat victims. He allegedly projected “close links with senior government officers” and used intermediaries to collect money.

The accused is also linked to a previous FIR registered in 2019 at PS Sahibabad under multiple IPC Sections.

The press release stated that “role of other associates and additional victims is under investigation.” Authorities are also examining additional financial transactions and possible wider networks involved in the fraud.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of senior police officials of Central District, with sustained technical surveillance and coordinated digital analysis leading to the arrest.

Further investigation is underway to trace more victims and uncover the full extent of the fraud.

Patna, June 19: The investigation into the heinous gang-rape and brutalisation of a woman in Bihar’s Begusarai district, that is reminiscent of the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape case in the national Capital, intensified on Friday. Senior officials of Bihar Police launched a detailed enquiry into the shocking case and took disciplinary action against the Chakia SHO Rajiv Ranjan on Friday, for negligence.

The case, which pertains to an incident reported in the Chakia police station area on the night of June 11, gained widespread attention after allegations surfaced that a bullet, piece of wood and a stone were later recovered from the victim’s private parts during medical treatment.

Begusarai Range DIG, Shailesh Kumar Sinha, visited the victim at Sadar Hospital and met her family members to gather information about the horrific crime.

He also reviewed the progress of the investigation with police officials and sought details regarding the action taken so far in the case.

The DIG subsequently held discussions with the medical team, including the Civil Surgeon, and obtained a detailed briefing on the victim’s examination and treatment.

In a significant administrative action, Chakia SHO Rajiv Ranjan has been suspended.

According to the DIG, preliminary findings indicated negligence in handling the case, prompting departmental action against SHO Rajiv Ranjan.

Police have registered an FIR in connection with the case and constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to identify and arrest the accused.

Senior officers, including the DIG and district police officials, have inspected the alleged crime scene as part of the ongoing investigation.

Officials stated that a fresh medical examination has been conducted by a medical Board, and investigators are awaiting the final report, which is expected to play a crucial role in determining the next course of action.

The police have assured that all accused people involved in the crime will be arrested and brought to justice.

Investigators are examining evidence, recording statements, and verifying all aspects of the case.

Authorities have emphasised that further legal and departmental action will be taken based on the findings of the medical report and the SIT’s investigation.

The case has generated widespread public concern and drawn attention to the handling of crimes against women in Bihar, with senior officials closely monitoring the developments in the case.

According to an official, the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Chakiya police station on the night of June 11.

The 30-year-old woman had stepped out of her home to use the toilet when she was allegedly intercepted by five men, who forcibly dragged her to a secluded location, tied her hands and legs with her clothes and gang-raped her.

In a show of cruelty and depravity, the rapists inserted a cartridge, wood, and a stone into the hapless woman’s her private parts.

The woman’s family has also accused the local police of failing to respond appropriately and sending them back home when they first attempted to lodge a complaint in the case.

New Delhi, June 19: Delhi Police has recovered 168 lost mobile phones in the last 15 days, under ‘Operation Vishwas’, and 88 of these have been handed over to their rightful owners after verification of ownership and completion of necessary formalities, officials said on Friday.

An official statement mentioned that the recovery drive was executed by a dedicated team comprising officials of the Special Staff and designated nodal officers from each police station of the Central District.

The recovered mobile phones had been dispersed across multiple locations and states. Through sustained efforts and effective liaison with local authorities, the police teams successfully traced and recovered devices from various regions, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and other parts of the country.

According to the police, the success of the operation was largely driven by meticulous technical analysis and digital tracking. The teams utilised available technological tools and analytical resources to identify the movement and present location of the lost devices. Each lead was thoroughly examined and followed up on, enabling the recovery of mobile phones that had changed hands and crossed jurisdictional boundaries.

Investigators revealed that technical efforts also facilitated the successful unblocking of mobile phones, enabling their restoration and return to their rightful owners. After due verification of ownership and completion of necessary formalities, 88 mobile phones were handed over to their rightful owners.

The recovered mobile phones contained valuable personal data, professional information, financial applications, and irreplaceable memories of people who, upon receiving the lost devices, expressed their appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the police teams.

Delhi Police emphasised that this initiative demonstrates how coordinated teamwork, technical expertise, and persistent field efforts can deliver tangible results in public service.

Earlier, between the period of June 1 and 10, 71 stolen mobile phones were recovered by the Delhi Police, of which 45 have been returned to their rightful owners, officials said last week. The rest of the recovered mobiles are being verified for handover.