Fake CBI officers now held for duping siblings

The CBI claimed the two are well-versed with the agency’s activities and had access to their day-to-day work,which came handy in cheating their victims and impersonating CBI officials.

The two accused had,through their network of men,allegedly approached a Juhu resident,claiming that the CBI was keeping a close watch on his “illegal business” and had several cases registered against him and his brother.

According to the complainant,one Vikas had contacted the brothers saying the CBI was soon planning to arrest them. Vikas allegedly offered to arrange a meeting with officers who could help them have the FIR quashed.

“The complainants met Ranjan,who in turn made the brothers travel to Delhi,where they met Sharma. A bribe of Rs 50 lakh was demanded from them,” CBI counsel Bharat Badami told the court.

The complainant claims to have paid the amount in two installment in July.

While interacting with the complainants,Sharma would act as if he was talking to his colleagues over the phone and discuss various cases. One of the cases he discussed was that of Income Tax Commissioner R P Meena,who is behind bars in a graft case.

“He would discuss legal nuances of the cases in a way that any person would believe Sharma was a CBI officer. He made the complainants believe he was a western region head,taking care of the CBI’s Maharashtra and Gujarat anti-corruption wings,” said a senior CBI officer.

According to the investigating agency,the duo had allegedly stolen CBI letterheads and had been misusing them. “Victims,who approached them for help,were shown the letterheads,which could have been stolen from the CBI office,” said an officer.