Ambala, Haryana, October 30, 2026: A Faridabad resident has been arrested in Ambala Cantonment for allegedly impersonating an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer and attempting to cheat Agniveer aspirants by promising to help them clear medical examinations during an ongoing Indian Army recruitment rally.
The accused, identified as Vishnu Kumar, a resident of Jeewan Nagar in Ballabhgarh, Faridabad, was apprehended by the police near Raina Auditorium, close to Kharga Stadium, where the Agniveer recruitment process was underway. Police said Kumar operates a coaching institute named Soldier Academy in the Ballabhgarh area.
According to investigators, the accused allegedly approached defence aspirants and their families, claiming that he could arrange medical clearances and facilitate their selection into the Indian Army in exchange for money.
Military Intelligence reportedly received information about the suspected recruitment fraud on October 18, 2026. During initial contact, the suspect allegedly introduced himself as Ravi and claimed that a person he referred to as “doctor saab” could arrange the required medical clearance. He subsequently agreed to visit Ambala on October 29.
Acting on information shared by Military Intelligence, a police team from the Topkhana Police Post conducted an operation near Raina Auditorium. The team located a silver Maruti Suzuki Swift car allegedly being used by the suspect and apprehended Vishnu Kumar.
During a search, police recovered a fake Indian Air Force identity card issued in the name of Iqbal Khan, which carried Kumar’s photograph. A forged Aadhaar card bearing the same name was also recovered.
A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the recovery of two smartphones, original and photocopied Class 10 and Class 12 educational certificates, and admit cards belonging to several Agniveer candidates. The documents reportedly belonged to aspirants from Ambala, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Delhi and Rajasthan.
Police also recovered cheques amounting to approximately ₹2.5 lakh to ₹3 lakh. Documents belonging to more than ten candidates were found in the accused’s possession, raising concerns that several aspiring soldiers may have been targeted through the alleged recruitment scam.
An FIR has been registered at Ambala Cantonment Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including offences related to cheating by impersonation, forgery, fraudulent inducement and using forged documents as genuine.
Ambala Cantonment Police Station in-charge Dharmbir Singh said the accused was being questioned to determine how many candidates had been approached or cheated and whether other individuals were involved in the suspected racket.
The arrest comes amid the Agniveer recruitment rally at Kharga Stadium, where candidates from various districts of Haryana and Chandigarh have been participating in the selection process.
The incident has once again highlighted the threat posed by recruitment fraudsters who exploit the aspirations of young candidates seeking careers in the Indian Armed Forces. In September 2026, a similar racket was uncovered in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, where five individuals were arrested for allegedly promising candidates assistance in clearing physical and medical examinations.
Recruitment into the Indian Army under the Agnipath scheme follows prescribed eligibility requirements, physical fitness standards, medical examinations and merit-based selection procedures. No private individual, coaching institute or self-proclaimed military officer is authorised to guarantee selection or arrange medical clearance in exchange for money.
Defence aspirants and their families are advised to remain vigilant against individuals claiming influence over the recruitment process. Candidates should verify all recruitment-related information through official Indian Army channels and immediately report suspicious demands for money to the police or Army recruitment authorities.
Police are continuing their investigation to establish the full extent of the alleged fraud and identify any additional suspects connected with the case.
