Fake IAS officer arrested in Lucknow; high-end cars, forged passes seized

The Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested a 36-year-old man from Lucknow who had been impersonating an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer to dupe people across multiple states, officials said on Thursday.

The accused, identified as Saurabh Tripathi from Gautam Buddh Nagar, allegedly used fake documents, forged government passes and vehicles fitted with blue beacons to impersonate a senior bureaucrat.

Police arrested Tripathi during a routine check near Kargil Shaheed Park in the city.

Police seized six high-end vehicles, including a including a Mercedes, Defender, Fortuner and three Innova Crystas, all bearing fake government passes. A laptop, several mobile phones, cash and forged documents were also recovered from his possession.