Man arrested for posing as ISRO scientist who designed Chandrayaan-3 lander module

An audio clip of Trivedi – a resident of Paal in Surat – saying that he designed the Vikram

lander had gone viral on social media.

Trivedi allegedly posed as the “assistant chairman” of ISRO’s ‘Ancient Science Application department’ and even produced a fake appointment letter dated February 26, 2022.

In a statement, the police said that he also produced a fake letter about being the “space research member” for ISRO’s next project called “mercury force in space”.

During questioning, Trivedi allegedly claimed that he was looking to gain publicity. Surat city Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sharad Singhal said, “Mitul Trivedi had handed over a document claiming to be from ISRO… we sent the same to the ISRO for verification and were informed that no such person works there.”

“During questioning, Trivedi said he wanted to get publicity in order to get more students in his tuition classes… We are trying to find out from where he got hold of the document which he claimed was from ISRO and where else he had used it,” he added.

He was booked under sections 419 (punishment for cheating by personation), 465 (punishment for forgery), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 471 (using genuine a forged document or electronic record) under the Indian Penal Code.

WITH PTI INPUTS