Pune Police Probe Navi Mumbai Man for Pretending to Be IPS Officer, Visiting Commissionerate and IT Office
Pune Police Probe Navi Mumbai Man for Pretending to Be IPS Officer, Visiting Commissionerate and IT Office
Pune, November 3, 2025: Pune Police are investigating a Navi Mumbai resident who allegedly posed as an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and visited several official premises, including the Pune Police Commissionerate and the Income Tax Office, under false pretenses.
The accused, identified as Sagar Waghmode, aged around 30 and a resident of Nerul, Navi Mumbai, had reportedly been pretending to be an IPS officer for nearly three years. A case was filed against him at the Bundgarden Police Station on October 31, following a complaint by Bhavik Shah (37), an event management businessman from Pune.
According to police officials, Waghmode befriended Shah and frequently accompanied him to various government offices and events. He often claimed he had strong connections with senior police officials and used this false identity to gain people’s trust.
The truth came out when Waghmode, during a visit to the commissionerate, introduced himself as a batchmate of a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) currently serving in Pune. The DCP, however, denied knowing him, which raised suspicions. Shah later verified the claims and informed the police.
An FIR was registered against Waghmode for impersonation and cheating, and he has been charged under Sections 204 (impersonating a public servant) and 419 (2) (cheating by personation) of the Indian Penal Code.
Assistant Police Inspector Shivshant Khose, who is leading the investigation, said that Waghmode has not yet been arrested but has been issued a notice. Preliminary inquiries revealed that he had been involved in a similar case earlier and had previously prepared for civil service exams but failed to clear them.
Police are now verifying whether Waghmode deceived others using the same method. Officials have urged the public to be cautious and verify credentials when someone claims to hold a government position.
