New Delhi | Special Correspondent: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Ajit Kumar Patra and his associate Minku Lal Jain for running a sophisticated impersonation and bribery racket that falsely invoked the names of senior government and enforcement officials to extort money and secure undue advantages.
Fraud Network Built on Fake Identities and Influence
According to CBI officials, Ajit Kumar Patra, a private individual, in collusion with his associate, orchestrated a web of deceit by impersonating top officers from various ministries, enforcement agencies, and judicial bodies. The accused frequently name-dropped high-ranking officials, claimed access to corridors of power, and exploited these false credentials to intimidate businessmen and extract bribes.
The duo also allegedly enjoyed VIP privileges — including official accommodation, protocol treatment, and access to high-security government and public events — by falsely presenting themselves as central agency officers.
Bribery Attempt After GST Intelligence Raid
The case came to light following a raid conducted by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), Jaipur, on November 4, 2025, at the premises of Vinod Parihar, CEO of Cybdeer Network Private Limited. In a bid to evade arrest, Parihar allegedly approached the accused, who demanded ₹18 lakh to “settle” the matter with unknown DGGI officials.
CBI Trap and Arrest
On November 10, 2025, the CBI laid a trap and caught both Patra and Jain red-handed while receiving ₹18 lakh from Jagjit Singh Gill, on behalf of Vinod Parihar. The trap money was recovered on the spot.
Subsequent raids at multiple locations across Delhi, Rajasthan, and Odisha led to the seizure of ₹3.7 crore in cash, gold jewellery weighing about 1 kg, 26 property documents in the names of Patra and his relatives, four luxury cars, 12 other vehicles, and several digital devices and documents containing incriminating evidence.
“Organised Impersonation Racket,” Says CBI
Investigators believe that Patra had created a well-structured extortion network, leveraging false identities and claims of official influence to interfere in government actions and investigations. The CBI stated that the racket extended across multiple states and possibly involved several other individuals.
A senior CBI officer said:
“This is a case of organised deception and corruption, where false claims of authority were used to extort money and manipulate government processes. The recovery of vast assets indicates that the racket had been operating for a considerable period.”
Probe Continues
The CBI is now tracking the money trail, verifying the sources of the seized assets, and identifying other possible beneficiaries of the scam. Officials said further arrests are likely as the investigation unfolds.
