Fake police arrested for robbing tourists at Khandagiri in Bhubaneswar

Khandagiri Police successfully apprehended two individuals who were impersonating police officers and engaging in robbery at Khandagiri hills, a popular tourist spot. The arrests were made when genuine police officers caught the duo in the act of harassing a young couple, leading to their immediate detention. This incident highlights a concerning trend of individuals exploiting public trust by posing as law enforcement.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Joseph M.E., who hails from Kerala, and Jitendra Samantaray, a resident of the Jagamara area within Khandagiri. According to reports, these two men were actively operating in Khandagiri, using a false police identity to intimidate and rob unsuspecting tourists. Their modus operandi involved presenting themselves as law enforcement officials to gain compliance from their victims before extorting valuables.

Previous Incidents of Impersonation

It may be noted that similar incidents of individuals impersonating officials for illicit gains have been reported previously. Earlier, on December 13, reports stated that fraudsters posing as vigilance officials were arrested for extorting Rs 4 lakh from an OAS officer in Odisha. Such occurrences highlight a recurring pattern of impersonation crimes in the state.

Similarly, in August, reports stated that a trio was arrested from Odisha for a 'digital arrest' fraud, where they duped a West Bengal man of Rs 1 crore by posing as CBI and ED officials.