Ahmedabad: Sarkhej police have booked four individuals for allegedly posing as government officials using identity cards from an NGO. The forged IDs bore the Ashoka Pillar emblem and claimed affiliation with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

The deception surfaced when the group visited Ahmedabad Rural SP Om Prakash Jat, claiming to represent the “National Crime Investigation Commission”—an NGO. Although they initially presented their visit as a courtesy call, they soon began discussing illegal activities and offered to assist in conducting raids, which aroused suspicion.

SP Jat alerted the Rural Special Operations Group (SOG), which launched an inquiry. Investigators found that the men held no official positions but carried ID cards prominently featuring symbols and terminology like “We Help the Police,” “CBI,” “CID,” and “Vigilance”, giving the impression of legitimate government backing.

Those named in the FIR include Jayesh Gajjar of Padmaprabhu Society, Sabarmati; Pritamsinh Prajapati of Monarch County, New Chandkheda; Utsav Panchal of Gopalnagar Society, Ranip; and Pravin Thakor of Old Dholka Line, Ranip.

During questioning, the accused revealed they each paid ₹3,000 to become members of the Punjab-based NGO.