West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Howrah: The woman has been arrested from Delhi for allegedly posing as an officer of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and entering Nabanna, the West Bengal government’s administrative headquarters, in an alleged attempt to collect official information.

The accused has been identified as Akanksha Vidyarthi, a resident of Delhi. According to police sources, she had reportedly taken an appointment in advance before visiting Nabanna. During her visit, she allegedly met Public Works Minister Ajay Poddar and officials of the department and introduced herself as a PMO officer.

The woman reportedly sought information relating to various administrative matters during her interaction with officials. However, her manner of speaking and behaviour reportedly raised suspicion among the officials present at Nabanna. The officials became alert and started questioning the circumstances surrounding her visit.

Sensing that her identity had come under scrutiny, the woman allegedly left Nabanna quickly. Following the incident, the authorities began checking her credentials and subsequently found that her claim of being associated with the PMO was allegedly false.

After the alleged fake identity came to light, the Public Works Department lodged a written complaint at Shibpur police station. The complaint prompted Howrah City Police to begin an investigation into the woman’s visit to the state administrative headquarters and the circumstances under which she had managed to gain access to Nabanna.

Police officials subsequently used technical surveillance to trace the accused. A special team of Howrah City Police reportedly tracked her location to Delhi and arrested her there.

The woman was produced before a court in Delhi on Thursday, where police obtained transit remand. She was then brought back to West Bengal on Friday morning by air and taken to Shibpur police station.

The accused is scheduled to be produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court in Howrah. Police have registered a case against her under several sections, including charges related to cheating.

Investigators are now trying to establish the exact purpose behind the woman’s visit to Nabanna and her alleged attempt to obtain administrative information by claiming to be a PMO official. Police are also examining whether the incident was an isolated attempt or whether any wider interstate network may have been involved.

The investigation is continuing as officials examine how the accused secured an appointment, what information she sought during her interaction with government officials and whether anyone else assisted her in the alleged impersonation.

The arrest has also raised questions over the verification procedures used before individuals claiming to represent central government offices are granted access to senior officials and government departments. Police are expected to gather further details during the course of the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.