Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Man Poses as PMO Secretary, NITI Aayog Member in Maharashtra; Booked
A 45-year-old man named Ashok Thombre pretended to be a very important government official.
He said he worked for the Prime Minister's Office and a group called NITI Aayog.
This happened during an event in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra.
When the police asked for proof, he didn't have any official papers.
They did find a plate that said 'Government of India' and a special flag often used on government cars.
His friend, who was acting as his bodyguard, was also there.
Both were arrested by the police and face charges for pretending to be public servants and cheating.
A 45-year-old man, Ashok Thombre, was apprehended for allegedly impersonating a secretary from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and a member of NITI Aayog.
The incident occurred on Sunday during a function in the MIDC Waluj police station area in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra.
Thombre could not produce any official credentials to support his claims.
Police discovered a 'Bharat Sarkar' (Government of India) plate and a tricolor typically used on government vehicles among his belongings.
Thombre and his accomplice, Vikas Pandagale, have been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including cheating by personation and impersonating a public servant.
- Who
- Ashok Thombre (45) and Vikas Pandagale
- What
- Ashok Thombre allegedly posed as a secretary with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and a member of the NITI Aayog.
- When
- Sunday
- Where
- MIDC Waluj police station area, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra
- Why
- To deceive people (implied by impersonation charges)
Accused
Police
Official Status
Accused
Claimed to be a secretary with the PMO and a member of NITI Aayog.
Police
No record of any official visit by a Central government secretary; accused could not produce credentials.
Possessions
Accused
Associated with Government of India insignia.
Police
Possessed a plate with 'Bharat Sarkar' inscription and a tricolor typically used on government vehicles.
- Age
- 45
- Residence
- Beed, Maharashtra
- Alleged Positions
- Secretary, PMO; Member, NITI Aayog
- Accompanied by
- Vikas Pandagale (private bodyguard)
- Location of Incident
- MIDC Waluj police station area, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra
- Date of Incident
- Sunday
- Charges
- Sections 319 (cheating by personation), 204 (personating a public servant) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita