Pune: Jobless Man From Balewadi Poses As Policeman, Collects Money From Ganpati Mandals; Case Registered

Pune, 25th September 2026: A 25-year-old unemployed man allegedly posed as a policeman and sought money from Ganpati mandals in Balewadi on Wednesday, claiming the funds were for meals for police personnel deployed for visarjan bandobast.

The accused, Vaibhav Bhong, 25, from Malshiras in Solapur district, was detained by Baner police from Laxminagar in Balewadi around 11am. Police said he was carrying pamphlets bearing the names of the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad police commissionerates and asking mandals to contribute Rs 1,000 each.

According to police, Bhong was preparing for police recruitment and had allegedly told his farmer parents around 10 days ago that he had been selected as a police constable.

“He was preparing for police recruitment and wanted to become a constable. His maternal uncle dropped him in Baner on Tuesday, after which he approached Ganpati mandals seeking money,” said sub-inspector Swati Lamkhede of Baner police.

Police seized the pamphlets and a fake police identity card from Bhong. He was also wearing a T-shirt commonly worn by trainee police personnel.

“We have seized the pamphlets and fake identity card. Further investigation is underway,” Lamkhede said.