Maharashtra: Two Arrested in Fake IAS Officer Case, Police Probe Foreign and Political Links
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 29th November 2025: The investigation into alleged fake IAS officer Kalpana alias Alpana Trimbakrao Bhagwat has widened, with the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Police arresting two men from Delhi during coordinated late-night raids. The accused have been identified as Afghan national Mohammad Ashraf Khil and Dimpy Harjai, also known as Abhishek Chaudhary (associated with a major political party).
Police officials said both were produced before a Delhi court on Saturday and have been granted a 10-day transit remand, valid until December 8. They are being brought to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for detailed custodial interrogation.
Senior officers confirmed that four special police teams had been deployed across Delhi, Noida, Haryana and Rajasthan to trace associates suspected of assisting Bhagwat, who falsely claimed to be a senior civil service officer.
“This is a significant breakthrough. Their questioning may help uncover the money trail, foreign communication channels, and how she managed to sustain her act for so long,” an official involved in the probe said.
Afghan Connection Under Scanner
Investigators believe the arrest of Khil may shed light on possible international linkages. Sources said call records retrieved from Bhagwat’s seized mobile phone indicate frequent contact with several foreign numbers, including one registered to Khil’s brother in Islamabad.
The second accused, Harjai, is believed to be the person Bhagwat introduced to others as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) attached to the Union Home Minister. “We are verifying whether he used this fraudulent designation to influence people or gain access to sensitive information,” a senior investigator said.
Ongoing IB, ATS Coordination
The case has triggered national security alerts. The Intelligence Bureau and Anti-Terrorism Squad are jointly examining Bhagwat’s digital footprint and travel history. Her educational background, dismissal records from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (BAMU) and personal contacts are also under scrutiny.
Officials said Bhagwat has remained “uncooperative and evasive” during questioning. Police have requested telecom operators to submit complete logs of her international calls, emails and online communication.
Big Cheques, Suspicious Deals
Police are tightening their investigation into two recovered cheques — one worth ₹19 crore issued by Chetan Bhanushali, and another of ₹6 lakh from a man named Nikhil Bhakre. Officers declined to comment on why the cheques were issued or whether they were part of a larger criminal syndicate.
Preliminary findings suggest that Bhagwat stayed at a luxury hotel for nearly six months, allegedly using a tampered Aadhaar card and funds sourced from her mother’s pension account and unknown parties. Investigators suspect she approached several property developers while claiming to have influence among top bureaucrats.
Background of the Case
Bhagwat was arrested on November 24 for allegedly forging government documents, fabricating an IAS appointment letter and impersonating a senior official. Officials say she received more than ₹32 lakh between January and November 2025 from multiple people under unclear circumstances.
During a search operation, police recovered:
* Fake IAS appointment papers
• 11 foreign contact numbers saved under suspicious names
• Cheques amounting to over ₹19 crore
• A letter purportedly signed by a former vice-chancellor
She is currently lodged at the Kranti Chowk police lock-up.
Police stated that further revelations are expected once Khil and Harjai arrive in the city and face interrogation.
