Mumbai: Powai Police Arrest Man For Posing As FDA Officer To Extort Shop Owner

Mumbai: The Powai police arrested a 31-year-old man on Saturday for impersonating a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officer in an attempt to cheat a wine shop owner. The accused, Ramesh Salunke, a Kandivali East resident, works as a driver and allegedly intended to extort money.

A case has been registered under sections 204 (impersonation), 319 (cheating by personation), 336(2) (forgery), and 340(2) (using a forged document as genuine) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

According to the FIR, complainant Kiran Patel, 42, runs a general and wine store in Tunga Village, Powai. Around 5pm on February 15, a man entered Patel’s shop, introduced himself as an FDA food inspector, and presented an identity card with official details. Convinced by the card, Patel believed him.

The accused then demanded to see Patel’s shop licence. At that moment, two of Patel’s acquaintances, Samsher Yadav and Bhaven Bhasin, both BMC marshals, arrived and overheard the conversation. Growing suspicious, they questioned the man, who failed to provide clear answers. Patel also asked to see the ID again, at which point the accused tried to flee. The BMC marshals caught him, and as a crowd gathered, the accused began abusing the people. Patel and the marshals then handed him over to the Powai police.

During questioning, Salunke admitted he was not an FDA officer. A police official said, “His intention was to extort money, but he was caught before he could do it. We are investigating whether he has defrauded others before. His identity and profession are also being verified.”