Pune police have arrested a 25-year-old man for allegedly impersonating an officer of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and potentially misleading people through social media. The accused has been identified as Gaurav Kumar Dineshkumar, a native of Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh who was residing at Varadvinayak Apartment in the Kharadi area of Pune. He was working at a local hotel at the time of his arrest.
The arrest took place on Sunday night following a tip-off received by the Kharadi Police Station. Acting on the information, police conducted a raid at Dineshkumar’s residence, which led to the seizure of multiple items associated with IAF personnel. These included two IAF t-shirts, a pair of combat pants, combat boots, two IAF badges, and the upper portion of a tracksuit that closely resembled official IAF attire.
According to preliminary findings, Dineshkumar had been using these items to portray himself as a serving Air Force officer. He frequently posted photographs of himself wearing the fake uniform on various social media platforms, allegedly to create a false impression and gain admiration or influence. Investigators believe he may have used this false identity to mislead or potentially exploit individuals, though no specific instances of fraud have been confirmed so far.
“The accused was not affiliated with the Indian Air Force in any capacity,” said Sanjay Chavan, senior police inspector at Kharadi Police Station. “We are currently examining whether he used this impersonation to commit any form of fraud, financial or otherwise. The motive behind his actions is still being investigated.”
Police have not ruled out the possibility that Dineshkumar may have approached people under the guise of an IAF officer to gain personal or financial benefits. Officers are reviewing his social media activity and speaking to individuals who may have interacted with him while he posed as a defence personnel.
The incident raises serious concerns about the misuse of defence uniforms and symbols, which can damage public trust and compromise national security. Authorities are also considering legal action under sections of the Indian Penal Code related to impersonation, fraud, and illegal possession of government-issued insignia.
Further investigation is underway to determine the full extent of Dineshkumar’s activities and whether others may have been involved. Police have urged anyone who may have been approached by the accused or misled by his false identity to come forward and assist in the inquiry.
