On the evening of Wednesday, 3 September 2025, a routine vehicle check in Wazirganj, Lucknow, ended up unmasking one of the most audacious impersonators seen in recent times—a man posing as an IAS officer, cruising around in luxury cars with official passes and blue beacons.
Who Was the Accused?
The police have arrested 36-year-old Saurabh Tripathi, originally from Mau district, now residing in Gomtinagar Extension, Lucknow. An engineering graduate who had appeared twice in the UPSC civil services exams but failed, he chose to impersonate an IAS officer despite not securing the rank.
How Was He Caught?
Tripathi was stopped as part of a vehicle checking drive near Kargil Park. He presented forged identification cards and a visiting card, claiming to be an IAS officer. He even tried to intimidate the officers by naming senior IAS officials. Initially, his authoritative posture and blue-beaconed luxury vehicle made the officers hesitant—until suspicion took over.
What Did the Police Find?
A search of Tripathi’s residence uncovered a startling array of items:
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Six luxury vehicles—including Defender, Mercedes, Fortuner, Range Rover, Toyota Innovas—each fitted with red/blue beacon lights, forged number plates, and secretariat or government passes.
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A laptop, forged documents, multiple fake IDs (Aadhaar, driving licenses), visiting cards of various official designations, beacon lights, and cash amounting to ₹11,097.
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A fake NIC-email ID and well-curated social media profiles where he styled himself as “Cabinet Special Secretary” or “Special Secretary, Urban Development.” He even uploaded photos posing with senior bureaucrats and officials to build the facade.
Tripathi reportedly maintained two upscale residences—in Lucknow’s Gomti Nagar Extension and Noida’s Sector 35—used to store his assets and maintain his elaborate masquerade.
Why He Did It
Police investigations suggest that after failing UPSC twice, Tripathi decided to become what he could not officially become—an IAS officer. His impersonation allowed him to enjoy government privileges, participate in official events, and gain access across multiple states for personal gain.
The Aftermath
An FIR has been registered at the Wazirganj Police Station under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the IT Act. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities probing whether this deception was part of a larger network.