PANAJI: A Chhattisgarh native, who impersonated an IAS officer, used the staff of Calangute police to inspect nightclubs and shacks in the coastal belt until his arrest today.
The accused, identified as Manoj Kumar Sharma, 31, from Raipur, was arrested after a complaint was filed by Police Constable Narayan Narse of Calangute Police Station alleging that on December 26 around 1:20 am, the impersonator deceived the police and obstructed their lawful duties.
Sharma first arrived in Goa on December 5, and hired a taxi to take him to Calangute. He checked into a resort in Umtawado where he informed the taxi driver that he was an IAS officer soon to be transferred to Goa. After staying in Goa for a few days, Sharma left citing personal reasons, but returned on December 20. He again contacted the same taxi driver and, on the night of December 26, directed the police staff to accompany him for an inspection.
Details shared by the police revealed that using the fake IAS ID card, Sharma led the police to Baga beach, where he visited two shacks and ordered them to shut down their businesses, threatening them with legal action. He also went to several prominent clubs in Baga's Tito's Lane, where he demanded that they close down immediately, warning them of serious consequences if they did not comply.
Believing him to be a legitimate officer, the police staff followed Sharma on this inspection tour. After completing his rounds, Sharma dropped them off at their respective locations and returned to his hotel.
He was arrested for impersonating a government official, obstructing a public servant from performing his duties, and threatening local businesses.
