Fake CIDs outsmarted by real ones in Darjeeling

The operation was very similar to Akshay Kumar-starrer Bollywood flick Special 26, only that while in the film the con artists pulled off their fake raids successfully, here the real sleuths got the better of the fake ones.

The incident happened at Phansidewa area in Darjeeling district. On May 25, a group of five persons, identifying themselves as Crime Investigation Department (CID) officials, raided the shop of Mehboob Alam, a resident of Chathat in Darjeeling and a fertilizer trader by profession.

They threatened Alam and took Rs 1.10 lakh from him in cash. Accusing Alam of dealing in fertilizers without licence they also asked him to soon pay up an additional Rs 1 lakh.

Alam then put in a complaint with Phansidewa Police Station. Police, on inquiry, found there was neither any such raid by the CID, nor any officers with CID in those names. They then asked Alam to help them nab the fake CIDs. "Alam then asked them to come to his shop and collect the money. And when they turned up on Tuesday, we arrested three of them, identified as Subodh Kumar Roy, Ranjit Chowdhury and Bharat Das. Two are absconding," said a senior CID official.

It was found that Roy was a former serviceman of Railway Protection Force (RPF). A few mobile phones and a car were recovered from them.

FAKE DOCS TOO

• In a recent report to the state Home department, the CID said there are about 500 fake doctors operating in the state, claiming MBBS degree.
   
• It said fake MBBS degrees were being given from alternative medicine council in Kolkata.