Pune: Fake Government Officer Arrested For Duping Citizens With Job Promises In Revenue, Police & Forest Departments
Pune: Lohegaon Man Held With 12 Kg Ganja Worth ₹3 LakhÂ
Pune Crime Branch Unit 2 has arrested a fraudster who posed as a government officer and allegedly cheated several people by promising Class 1 and Class 2 jobs in the Revenue, Police, and Forest Departments of the Maharashtra government.
The accused, identified as Mahadev Baburao Darade (32), a resident of White Field Society, Kalakhadak, Wakad, Pune, was booked based on a complaint registered at Bund Garden Police Station under sections 316(2), 318, and 319 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The complainant, Suraj Kailas Pachpute (22), a student from Shrigonda, Ahmednagar, alleged that Darade falsely claimed to be a Revenue Secretary and promised him the position of Police Sub-Inspector in exchange for ₹10 lakh.
According to police, between 2022 and 2025, Darade exploited his connections in government offices through his real estate work to misrepresent himself as a senior official. He frequently visited government departments, and using this familiarity, he gained the trust of job seekers. He convinced around 20 to 30 individuals from different districts across Maharashtra to pay amounts ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹20 lakh, promising them jobs in various government departments.
During the investigation, police recovered forged appointment letters, fake government ID cards, stamps of various departments, forged service books, cheque books from multiple banks, and other fraudulent documents. Darade used letterheads and emblems to appear as an authentic officer from departments like Revenue, Police, and Forest.
The investigation also revealed the involvement of Ranjeet Laxman Chaure (35), a clerk in the Revenue Department, who allegedly helped prepare fake appointment letters. He has also been taken into custody.
Police believe there may be more victims who were lured with job promises. Authorities have appealed to such individuals to come forward and contact the police.
This operation was carried out under the guidance of Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner Ranjankumar Sharma, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Shailesh Balkawade, Deputy Commissioner Nikhil Pingale, and Assistant Commissioner Ganesh Ingle. The Crime Branch Unit 2 team led by Inspector Pratap Mankar included API Amol Rasal, PSI Nitin Kamble, and constables Shankar Nevse, Ujwal Mokashi, Amol Sarde, Omkar Kumbhar, Sadhana Tamahane, Pushpendra Chavan, Vinod Chavan, Hanumant Kamble, Ganesh Thorat, Vijay Pawar, Rahul Shinde, and Nagesh Rakh.
