A man who allegedly claimed to be an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer was taken into custody by police in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, after reportedly refusing to pay for a bun worth around Rs 40 purchased from a shop.
According to police, the dispute began when the shopkeeper repeatedly asked the man to pay for the item. The man allegedly claimed that he was a senior officer and should not be required to make the payment.
Reports said an argument broke out between the shopkeeper and the man. When asked several times to pay, he allegedly identified himself as an IPS officer in front of people nearby and reportedly told others to salute him.
After the situation escalated, the shopkeeper informed the local police. Officers arrived at the scene and began questioning the man.
During questioning, he continued to claim that he was an IPS officer. However, when asked to provide identification and documents related to his posting, he was unable to give a satisfactory response, police said.
According to police officials, the preliminary investigation found no evidence that the man was an IPS officer. He was subsequently taken to a police station for detailed questioning.
Police are also investigating whether he had previously attempted to obtain benefits by allegedly misleading people in a similar manner.
Police said legal proceedings against the man are being initiated. Investigators are also trying to determine whether he used the alleged false identity at any other location.
Questioning of the man is continuing. Police said it will be possible to determine only after the investigation is completed whether he was claiming to be an IPS officer merely to exert influence or whether there was another motive behind it.
Police noted that the claim that the man was posing as an IPS officer is based on preliminary findings and allegations. The final position in the case will become clear only after the investigation and legal process are completed.
