Fake IRS officer caught trying to meet Tripura CM in Lucknow hotel

A man posing as an IRS officer was caught in the Uttar Pradesh capital, Lucknow, while trying to meet visiting Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha at his hotel in the city on October 30 last.

CM Dr Saha, who was in Lucknow for a conference at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) and stayed at a city hotel, was alerted when security personnel stopped the suspect.

The man, identifying himself as Prashant Mohan from Bihar, showed a fake ID card claiming he was an IRS officer. When the Chief Minister’s PSO denied him entry and informed the police, the accused attempted to check out of the hotel but pretended to have a heart attack as officers arrived.

Sources said that Prashant Mohan, a UPSC coach based in Delhi, posed as a revenue officer and even claimed to be related to the Lucknow Police Commissioner to gain access to a five-star hotel in Lucknow where the Tripura Chief Minister had been staying.

During questioning, he admitted to creating fake identities to meet influential figures, take photos with them, and later exploit those images.

According to information, Prashant had made a reservation at the Marriott Hotel by presenting himself as an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer. He even told hotel staff he was a relative of the Lucknow Police Commissioner.

Prashant arrived at the hotel on October 30, aiming to meet Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha. During their interaction, his claims and demeanour raised concerns for the Chief Minister’s security detail, which promptly informed the police.

Sources said that by the time police reached the hotel the following day, Prashant had already checked out, but he was soon traced and apprehended on the premises through a coordinated search.

The hotel staff also noted unusual features about the suspect’s vehicle. The hotel staff said that the car had red and blue beacons, drawing further suspicion regarding Prashant’s claims of official status.

Meanwhile, his driver managed to escape from the spot with the vehicle.

Report said that after his detention, Prashant attempted to mislead authorities by theatrically pretending to suffer a heart attack. Police immediately transferred him to Lohia Institute for medical evaluation, where doctors said after examination that he was completely healthy.

He was then brought to the police station for interrogation. During questioning, Prashant confessed to having a desire for meeting high-profile individuals under fake identities. He said that he liked meeting prominent people.

He would create fake identities, meet VIPs, take pictures with them, and later use those photos to trap others in his schemes, said sources in Uttar Pradesh police.

Authorities have since placed Prashant in custody and launched an investigation into his criminal background and the extent of his network.

Police are also examining whether he used similar tactics elsewhere or had accomplices in deceiving hotel staff and guests.

*With News Agency Inputs.