The Cyber Police Station in Delhi’s Shahdara district has busted a gang involved in impersonating Paytm executives and cheating street vendors and small business owners. Five accused have been arrested in connection with a cyber fraud case involving Rs 95,000, police said on Saturday.

According to the police, the accused allegedly targeted unsuspecting vendors and shopkeepers by posing as Paytm representatives and offering assistance with KYC-related issues, QR code updates and soundbox replacement. The investigation has revealed that the gang may have cheated around 50 to 60 victims using a similar modus operandi.

The case was registered as FIR No. 55/26 on October 26 at the Cyber Police Station, Shahdara, under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, following a complaint by Ramavtar, a vegetable vendor.

Police said that on October 20, two persons approached Ramavtar claiming to be Paytm executives. On the pretext of resolving KYC-related issues and updating his QR code soundbox, they took possession of his mobile phone. Subsequently, two unauthorised transactions of Rs 50,000 and Rs 45,000 were carried out, resulting in a total loss of Rs 95,000.

The investigation was assigned to Inspector Shweta Sharma. A dedicated team comprising Inspector Sharma, ASI Rajdeep, Head Constables Javed, Deepak and Narender was formed to crack the case.

The team worked under the leadership of SHO Cyber Police Station Vijay Kumar, under the supervision of ACP Operations Avdhesh Kumar and the overall supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Shahdara.

During the investigation, police analysed the money trail, bank accounts and CCTV footage, which led to the arrest of five accused people.

Two of the accused impersonated Paytm executives to cheat victims, while the remaining three allegedly provided bank accounts to route and withdraw the cheated money.

The arrested accused have been identified as Juned, 23, a resident of Chhaprauli in Uttar Pradesh’s Baraut; Anas, 19, a resident of Sangam Vihar, Wazirabad; Mohit, 24, and Rohit, 19, both residents of Bhalswa Dairy in North Delhi; and Sumit Kumar, 19, a resident of Aya Nagar in South Delhi.

Police said a Paytm employee identity card was found on the mobile phone of Juned, who had previously been associated with the company. The accused are suspected to be involved in 50 to 60 similar incidents, while their bank accounts have been linked to around 20 cybercrime complaints and cases registered across India.

Six mobile phones, seven SIM cards, four ATM cards and three cash withdrawal slips were recovered during the investigation.

Further investigation is underway.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended birthday greetings to Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) President, Chirag Paswan, praising his efforts to strengthen the food processing sector and saying that his work would contribute to building a self-reliant India while benefiting farmers.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said: “Birthday wishes to Union Cabinet Minister Shri Chirag Paswan Ji. He is making commendable efforts to strengthen the food processing sector, which will go a long way in building a self-reliant India and also ensure benefits for our farmers. Praying for his long and healthy life.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended his birthday wishes to Paswan, appreciating his contribution to food security and food processing.

“Heartfelt birthday wishes to Union Minister Shri @iChiragPaswan. Under the leadership of Modi Ji, you are doing commendable work in the direction of food security and processing. I pray to God for your good health and long life,” Shah posted on X.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also greeted the Union Minister on the occasion and prayed for his long and healthy life.

“Heartfelt birthday wishes to the Honourable Union Minister Shri Chirag Paswan Ji. I pray to Lord Shri Ram that He grants you a glorious, long, and healthy life,” CM Yogi said in his post.

Meanwhile, Paswan celebrated his birthday with party workers and supporters in Patna, Bihar, where he cut a cake amid greetings and celebrations.

Speaking on the occasion, the leader remembered his late father Ram Vilas Paswan, while also expressing gratitude to his mother for standing by him through difficult times.

Paswan also acknowledged the contribution of party workers and leaders in strengthening the organisation, expressing gratitude for their continued support.

“While I remember my father, I also remember my mother, who stood by me like a pillar of strength through every difficult situation. I thank my family, every party worker and every leader who worked tirelessly day and night to bring the party to where it is today,” he said.

YSR Congress Party President and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday condemned the brutal attack on a Class 10 student inside a classroom in Andhra Pradesh’s Raptadu, calling it a “total collapse of law and order” under the TDP-led state government.

A Class 10 girl student is undergoing emergency medical treatment after being brutally attacked with a chainsaw inside her school premises in Raptadu, leaving her with severe injuries to her face, head, and throat, officials said.

The girl sustained deep wounds to her neck and abdomen, while her right hand was reportedly almost severed in the assault.

Another girl student, who attempted to intervene and save her, was also seriously injured during the attack. Both victims are currently battling for their lives at a private hospital.

Taking to X, Reddy said: “The barbaric chainsaw attack on a Class 10 student inside the classroom at Rapthadu ZP High School exposes the total collapse of law and order under the TDP coalition’s ‘Jungle Raj’.”

“How could an assailant freely storm into a government school and brutally assault a young girl? This shows the government’s utter negligence in ensuring the safety of children, even inside educational institutions,” he said.

The former Chief Minister also said that it is “unfortunate” that another student was also injured while she was trying to intervene.

“When governance takes a backseat to political vendetta and ‘Red Book’ rule, criminals run rampant without fear of the law,” he said.

“Injured students must be provided with the best emergency medical treatment immediately, and their families must be taken into confidence. We demand the immediate arrest of the attacker and be brought to justice through a transparent probe. An urgent review of school safety protocols across Andhra Pradesh, and complete accountability from Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and TDP National Working President Nara Lokesh,” Reddy added.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister expressed shock over the incident and spoke to officials to enquire about her condition and the treatment being provided. Personally monitoring her recovery, CM Naidu directed the medical team to accord her the highest priority and provide the best possible care.

“I have ordered the police to hunt down the monster responsible and deliver the harshest legal punishment swiftly,” he added.

Later, CM Naidu spoke to the student’s mother over the phone and offered her words of comfort and reassurance. He urged her to remain courageous and assured her that the accused would be punished severely, according to the Chief Minister’s Office.

The Chief Minister assured the family that the government would extend complete support and that every possible effort would be made to save the student’s life.

He also enquired about the health condition of another student who was also injured in the attack.

Nara Lokesh also condemned the incident.

Meanwhile, police have launched an extensive investigation into the incident and are yet to determine whether the accused man was known to the girl before the attack. Investigators are examining multiple aspects of the case as efforts continue to identify and apprehend the attacker.