Kathak dancer held for posing as govt official

New Delhi: The Crime Branch of Delhi Police on Friday said they have arrested Pulkit Maharaj, a noted Kathak dancer, who posed as an senior official of the Ministry of Culture and sought VIP treatment during his visits with senior government officials in different states.

Cops said a case was registered against him in August, after they received a complaint from the central government, alleging that he had posed as a director of art in the Ministry of Culture and used to send fax messages to district magistrates and superintendent of police of various cities seeking government facilities.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Joy Tirkey said on Friday that the accused, also known as Pulkit Mishra, is a noted Kathak dancer and runs a dance academy in the Capital. Mishra, along with his sister, often posed as senior officers to get VIP treatment.

"We have found two more cases against the accused which is been probed," said the DCP.

Tirkey further claimed that the incident came to light after a letter was issued to the district magistrate of Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur, in the name of a person claiming to be the secretary of the Ministry, seeking security and accommodation for Pulkit Maharaj and his disciples who wanted to visit an old temple in Sitapur.

"On April 1, the accused reached Sitapur with his other associates to visit the temple. He was given VIP treatment, but later it was found by the senior officers of the state found Pulkit to be impersonator," said Tirkey.

He added that during verification, it was found that neither Mishra nor his sister have any connection with the Ministry.

Eventually, an FIR was lodged in August this year.

Police said that they conducted a detailed investigation in the case and he was detained from Sahibabad area of Uttar Pradesh and then brought to Delhi, where he was questioned and arrested.

Further explaining his modus operandi, cops said that the accused used to send forged letters to senior officers of other states to seek VIP treatment.

"We have got some documents which are under investigation. The accused was taken to Sahibabad for further investigation in the case," said a police officer.

In social media, many photographs of Mishra with dignitaries, like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have been found. Cops are investigating whether these are forged.