Chaudwar: Chaudwar police Thursday arrested a 23-year-old woman on charges of impersonating as police officer. A three star uniform, Aadhaar cards bearing different names, voter identity card, a scooty and a bank pass book were also seized from her possession, informed IIC, Chaudwar Jatindra Nath Sethy.
The imposter has been identified as Sultana Begum of Balia Bibhutigada under Derabish police limits in Kendrapara district.
Sulatana used to dupe gullible people posing as Cuttack Malgodown police station IIC. She would introduce herself as Laxmipriya Mallick or Meenakhi Swain.
As she used to move around in uniform with stars on the shirt shoulder, people hardly doubted her as an imposter. Sultana in uniform even managed the traffic during a Ganesh idol immersion procession near Virat Bazaar under this police limits Sunday last. However, during the procession, her conduct raised doubts in the mind of Raj Kumar Naik of Gauda Sahi market who wondered whether she was indeed a police officer.
A day later, Raj Kumar came to the police station and enquired about Sultana. Sultana was present at the police station and Raj Kumar pointed her out to other police officers while expressing doubt that she was genuine. Sultana was at that point trying to get one arrestee, Bharat Sahu, of Chaudwar area released.
She was detained and when interrogated, she first identified herself as Laxmipriya and then as Meenakhi. She first claimed herself as IIC of Malgodown police station, and then as sub-inspector before saying she had been transferred to Mahanga police station. During further interrogation she broke down and revealed her true identity.
She is a daughter of Sheikh Nawab, a resident of Kendrapara and wife of Mrutyunjay Swain. She used to stay at a rented house in Gauda Sahi here.
Registering a case, police arrested Sultana. Further investigation is on as to how she had procured the uniform, including name plate, belt and shoes, informed IIC Sethy.