TV
One more fraudster was arrested by police after attempting to enter the Lok Seva Bhawan using a fake identity card on Thursday. The incident occurred at around 3.40 PM, when Sandeep Pradhan, a resident of Balugaon, attempted to bypass the security check at the State’s power corridor using a counterfeit I-card.
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Sandeep’s dubious actions raised suspicions, leading to his arrest by the Capital Police.
The arrest comes nearly six months after another fraudster, identified as Byasadev Rana, was caught in a similar scam. These incidents highlight the vulnerability of Lok Seva Bhawan to infiltration by Dalals (brokers) and fraudsters.
The involvement of such individuals raises concerns over the ease with which they can access sensitive government offices using forged documents. Despite a recent clampdown, brokers seem to be operating with impunity, continuing to exploit loopholes.
Sandeep, by the virtue of a forged identity card, tried to enter through Gate No-5 but was caught by security personnel, thanks to a vigilant SSB jawan. The police have charged him under various Sections of the IPC, including for impersonation and fraud.
Capital Police arrested Sandeep and forwarded him to court. A case has been registered under Sections 319, 318, 336 (2), and 340 (2) of the IPC, and a probe is on.
Investigations are underway into the network behind these fake IDs.
This arrest is not an isolated event. On January 13, Byasadev from Narla of Kalahandi was arrested. He had cheated a young man from Pipili of Rs 20 lakh by promising him a job at the Lok Seva Bhawan. In 2020, he had issued an Aadhaar card and falsely introduced himself as a Section Officer in the Panchayati Raj Department, gaining unauthorised access.
Such incidents have raised serious questions about the security measures in place at the state’s administrative headquarters.
“We doubted the man when he attempted to enter through Gate No. 5. He showed a pass, but on being detained for questioning, he tried to flee from the spot. The accused was overpowered and nabbed,” Bhubaneswar Zone-1 ACP, Ramesh Bisoi, stated.
