In a striking case that has drawn widespread attention across Bihar and beyond, police in Khagaria district arrested a man who allegedly built a lavish lifestyle by impersonating a senior IAS officer and claiming to work as an undercover agent for National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The accused, identified as Manish Kumar Gupta (also referred to in some reports as Manish Kumar or Mukesh Kumar Gupta, alias Chikku), was taken into custody after a detailed raid on his residence in Jamalpur Bazar under the Gogri police station limits. Investigators estimate his assets at over ₹100 crore and recovered an array of luxury items, including a Tesla Model Y equipped with advanced driver-assist features and bearing unauthorised “Government of India” placards.
The operation unfolded after police received specific intelligence that Gupta was using fake official credentials to defraud people, create an atmosphere of fear, and extract money. A joint team from the Khagaria police and the District Investigation Unit, supported by a larger surveillance group that had monitored the property for about a week, conducted an intensive search lasting nearly eight hours. The raid took place on the night of August 8, 2026. What they found inside the sprawling bungalow, known as Parmeshwari Bhavan, painted a picture of ostentatious living rarely seen in the relatively modest economic landscape of Khagaria.
Gupta’s residence, spread over a significant plot and described by officers as a multi-storey luxury property, featured a swimming pool, a private home theatre, Italian tiles, and a network of more than 25 CCTV cameras. During questioning, the 50-year-old resident initially introduced himself as an IAS officer. He displayed digital identity cards on his mobile phone that purported to show him as an official of the Central Vigilance Commission and, in one version, a Chief Security Officer. He further claimed to be an undercover agent working directly under NSA Ajit Doval and posted in Bihar. Preliminary verification by police quickly established that these credentials and claims were fabricated.
According to Khagaria Superintendent of Police Bhanu Pratap Singh, Gupta had been using these false identities for a considerable period to intimidate locals, influence officials, and run multiple rackets. He allegedly promised jobs in exchange for money, offered to make criminal FIRs or corruption cases disappear for a fee, and acted as a mediator settling disputes at local police stations. Victims were reportedly drawn in by the aura of authority created by the government-style boards on his vehicles and his confident assertions of high-level connections. Police believe the fraud extended beyond Khagaria to other parts of Bihar as well as Delhi and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh.
Among the most eye-catching recoveries was a black Tesla Model Y. Police noted that the vehicle carried advanced driver-assist systems capable of lane-keeping, adaptive speed control, and automatic braking—features often marketed as Full Self-Driving capability, though fully autonomous driving is not yet approved for use on Indian roads. The car, estimated to cost around ₹70 lakh, and a Tata Safari SUV both displayed unauthorised “Government of India” and “IAS” boards. These placards had helped Gupta project an official image while moving around the district.
The search also yielded a substantial quantity of prohibited liquor in a state that maintains strict prohibition laws. Officers recovered approximately 31 litres of premium foreign liquor spanning 29 brands, including Hibiki Suntory whisky, Talisker Dark Storm, Glenfiddich single malt, and Indri, along with nearly 10 litres of beer. Gupta claimed the alcohol had been brought by a brother living abroad (reports differ on whether the sibling is based in Canada or works as a fund manager in London), but he could produce no supporting documents. Two horns believed to belong to a barasingha, or swamp deer—a protected species—were also found, prompting additional charges under wildlife protection laws.
Digital and financial items seized further underscored the scale of the operation. These included five or six Apple iPhones, two Apple laptops or MacBooks, an iPad, a 4TB hard disk, 20 credit cards from various banks (some issued in different names), eight debit cards, four cheque books, and Priority Pass cards. Gupta reportedly refused to unlock several of the phones or provide their numbers. Expensive branded clothing, imported dry fruits, and other luxury goods completed the inventory.
Police have registered cases against Gupta under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for impersonation of a public servant, cheating, forgery, and related offences. Additional charges have been invoked under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act and the Wildlife Protection Act. He was produced in court and sent to judicial custody. The Economic Offences Unit has been informed so that a thorough probe can examine the full extent of his assets, bank accounts, financial transactions, and possible links outside Bihar and even abroad. Officers have indicated that the network may have involved family members and that further arrests cannot be ruled out.
The case highlights how carefully cultivated symbols of authority—official-looking vehicle boards, digital identity cards, and confident claims of proximity to powerful figures—can be leveraged to build trust and extract money over extended periods. In an era when digital IDs can be easily displayed on smartphones, verification becomes both more important and more challenging for ordinary citizens and even local officials. Residents of Jamalpur and surrounding areas expressed surprise at the contrast between the accused’s extravagant lifestyle and the surrounding region’s economic realities.
Investigators continue to scrutinise bank records, property documents, and digital devices to map the full financial trail. They are also examining whether Gupta used portions of the money collected to pay lower-level functionaries to facilitate certain favours while retaining the bulk for himself. The presence of assets and contacts outside the state has expanded the scope of the inquiry beyond a purely local fraud.
As the probe progresses, the arrest of Manish Kumar Gupta serves as a reminder of the persistent problem of impersonation rackets in India. By combining claims of high bureaucratic status with purported links to the national security apparatus, the accused created a particularly potent mix of intimidation and perceived influence. Bihar police have made it clear that the investigation will pursue every lead to recover proceeds of the alleged fraud and to deter similar schemes. Further details on the precise quantum of money involved, the identities of victims, and any additional accused are expected to emerge in the coming weeks as forensic examination of devices and financial records yields results.
About The Author
