UPSC aspirant failed twice, posed as IAS officer | Lucknow News

Lucknow: Wazirganj police on Wednesday arrested a 36-year-old engineering graduate who, after twice failing to clear the UPSC civil services exam, posed as an IAS officer.The accused, Saurabh Tripathi, originally from Mau district and currently residing at Shalimar OneWorld apartments in Gomtinagar extension, was caught during a vehicle check near Kargil park. Police said he introduced himself as an IAS officer, flashed a forged identity card and visiting card, and attempted to intimidate officers by dropping names of senior IAS officers.On searching his residence, police seized six luxury vehicles. All were fitted with red/blue beacons and carried fake secretariat passes and forged number plates. A laptop, forged documents, multiple fake IDs, Aadhaar and driving licences with mismatched details, beacon lights, Rs 11,097 cash, debit cards and visiting cards of various designations were also found. Investigators revealed that Tripathi even created a fake NIC email ID to strengthen his masquerade.Police said Tripathi projected himself as a senior IAS officer online. He frequented official events and posed for photographs with top officials to build credibility.“Tripathi used forged passes and IDs to enjoy govt protocol privileges, extract money and access facilities in multiple states,” said SHO Wazirganj, Rajesh Kumar Tripathi.Investigators disclosed that Tripathi, a bachelor of engineering graduate, twice appeared for the UPSC civil services examination but failed to qualify. “Unable to crack the exam, he decided to impersonate what he could not become,” a senior officer said.Police have registered an FIR at Wazirganj police station.