Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Fake IAS Claimant Arrested After Unpaid Hotel Party in Indore
Police in Indore arrested a 28-year-old man named Himanshu Panchal.
He is accused of pretending to be an IAS officer called Raj Soni.
Police said he hosted a party for 16 people at a five-star hotel.
He allegedly left without paying the bill.
He told hotel workers that his personal assistant would bring the money later.
Police found a fake collector nameplate outside his rented home.
Panchal could not show documents proving he was an IAS officer.
Police are checking whether he deceived anyone else and noted a previous cheating case in Gujarat.
Lasudiya police arrested 28-year-old Himanshu Panchal for allegedly posing as an IAS officer and district collector.
Panchal reportedly hosted a party for 16 people at a five-star hotel before leaving without paying the bill.
He allegedly told hotel staff that his personal assistant would pay the bill within two hours.
Police said Panchal initially used the name Raj Soni but could not provide proof of an IAS posting.
Investigators recovered a fake “IAS Raj Soni, District Collector” nameplate and said he already faced a cheating case in Gujarat.
- Who
- Lasudiya police arrested Himanshu Panchal, a 28-year-old resident of Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
- What
- He was arrested for allegedly impersonating an IAS officer and district collector under the name Raj Soni, after an unpaid hotel bill.
- When
- PTI reported the arrest on September 3 and said it occurred on Wednesday; a cheating FIR in Gujarat was registered on May 23, 2026.
- Where
- The incident occurred at a five-star hotel in Indore, in the Lasudiya police station area of Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- Police allege he used the false official identity to project authority and are investigating whether he deceived others.
- Accused
- Himanshu Panchal
- Age
- 28
- Claimed identity
- Raj Soni, IAS officer and district collector
- Hotel allegation
- He allegedly left after hosting a party for 16 people without paying the bill
- Recovered evidence
- A black nameplate reading “IAS Raj Soni, District Collector” and a photo frame carrying “Satyamev Jayate”
- Legal provision
- Section 204 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, concerning personating a public servant
- Previous case
- A cheating FIR was registered at Adalaj police station in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on May 23, 2026
- Investigation status
- Police are probing whether he cheated or deceived others while posing as a government officer
