IMPHAL: A major impersonation fraud targeting Manipur state legislators has been busted, and three people from Uttarakhand have been arrested. The accused, who reportedly impersonated Jay Shah, the son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, tried to blackmail a number of MLAs with the promise of giving them the Chief Minister's job.
Based on police reports, the three called several legislators in February 2025, using the political unrest that followed the resignation of the then Chief Minister N Biren Singh. They stated that significant monetary donations would earn the legislators an opportunity at the Chief Minister's position.
The three arrested persons have been identified as Uvaish Ahmed, Gaurav Nath and Priyansu Pant, aged 19. Manipur Police, with the help of Uttarakhand officials, located them through mobile call records and online footprints. Sources suggest that the accused used spoofed caller IDs and social engineering methods to make their scam appear more legitimate.
The police are now investigating whether the suspects had any political connection or formed part of a larger group of individuals involved in similar scams. In light of these events, the public and politicians have been cautioned by the police against falling prey to such scams. Legal proceedings against the suspects are currently in progress, and they are expected to appear in court shortly.
The incident has drawn sharp responses within Manipur's political circle, with some MLAs calling for stern action against such acts of fraud. Top cops have assured a thorough probe and stated that stern legal action will be initiated against the people who try to manipulate political processes.
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