A 30-year old law graduate was arrested on Thursday on the charge of running a fake Lokayukta office in Tikamgarh city of Madhya Pradesh for the past one year and extorting money from government officials.
Ramkumar Vishwakarma, son of a primary school teacher, had allegedly set up a bogus Lokayutka office, posed as a sub-inspector of the anti-corruption ombudsman’s police, instituted fake inquiries and lodged FIRs against officials.
He even “closed” cases after extorting money from corrupt officials, said NS Rathore, the deputy superintendent of Lokayukta police in Bhopal.
The office of the state’s Lokayukta has special powers to act against graft-tainted government officials and it is the most feared agency as its anti-corruption drive had netted many bureaucrats. Vishwakarma allegedly exploited the officials’ fear of the Lokayukta to make money on the sly.
“A Patwari who had been duped for Rs 5 lakh has complained against him. But we suspect there are several other victims who will come forward once they come to know of his arrest. We are questioning him and trying to gather more details,” Rathore said.
According to sources, Vishwakarma has good knowledge about the Lokayukta office and is well-versed in official jargon, which prevents his targets from suspecting his credentials. He used to roam around in an SUV with “MP Government” written on it.
{{/usCountry}}According to sources, Vishwakarma has good knowledge about the Lokayukta office and is well-versed in official jargon, which prevents his targets from suspecting his credentials. He used to roam around in an SUV with “MP Government” written on it.
{{/usCountry}}His office had two women working as his assistants for a salary of Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 a month.
“These two too had been duped. They had been inducted after an interview and given appointment letters. They did all the paper work in the office, thinking they were working for the government. They and their family members were stunned when learnt about the real Vishwakarma,” a source said.
Investigating officials found fake Lokayukta IDs, seals, letterheads and other paraphernalia that the suspected impostor used. A computer has been seized, which police officers believe could reveal a lot of details.
“The scale of the fraud has stunned us. In the past we have received complaints of fraudsters posing as fake Lokayukta officers, but this is the first time we have come across a person who has set up a Lokayukta office and duping people,” said Anil Kumar, director general of Lokayukta police.
Investigators are trying to find out if he had any accomplices, who passed him information about corrupt officials.
Vishwakarma has been booked for fraud, conspiracy and provisions under the anti-corruption law. More arrests are possible, sources said.