Special Correspondent
Pune : A 25-year-old man impersonating an Indian Air Force officer and misleading citizens through social media has been caught red-handed by the Kharadi Police. The accused, identified as Gauravkumar Dineshkumar, originally hails from Mor village, Tappal Police Station, Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh, and was residing in Varad Vinayak Apartment, Lane No. 2, Thite Vasti, Kharadi, Pune.
According to Police Constable Ramdas Bhonaji Palve, who filed the FIR, a confidential tip-off was received on the night of May 18, 2025, stating that a man was falsely claiming to be an Air Force officer. He was reportedly using official-looking uniforms and badges to deceive people on social media. Acting swiftly, Palve informed Senior Police Inspector Sahiba Pote, who organized a team including Constable Suraj Jadhav to verify the information.
At around 9 PM, the team conducted a raid at the suspect’s residence. Upon questioning, the individual identified himself as Gauravkumar Dineshkumar. During a search of the premises, the police recovered items including an Indian Air Force tracksuit jacket, two Air Force t-shirts, an army combat pant, Air Force shoes, and two badges — one bearing “Indian Air Force” in Hindi and English, and another reading “Proud Air Force Wife” in English.
When interrogated about the origin of the uniform items, the accused claimed that he had burned his Air Force uniform about a month ago, which contradicted the current possession of multiple military items.
The items were seized as evidence, and a case has been registered under Section 168 of the Indian Penal Code, 2023, for impersonating a public servant. Inspector Sanjay Gundappa Chavan has taken up the investigation.
The incident has raised serious concerns about identity misuse on social media, and Pune Police have urged citizens to stay alert and report any such suspicious activities.
