odisha news: Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Jan 13: A 47-year-old man, Byasadev Rana, was arrested for allegedly deceiving individuals by posing as a Section Officer of the Panchayati Raj Department. Hailing from Narla in Kalahandi district, Rana had been living in the Ekamra area of Bhubaneswar for some time before his arrest.
Police reports reveal that Rana used a forged identity card and a counterfeit pass to present himself as a government official. He managed to gain unauthorized access to the Lok Seva Bhavan, exploiting his false identity to extort money from unsuspecting victims by promising them government jobs.
One notable victim, a young man from Pipili in Puri district, reported that he was cheated out of Rs 20 lakh over multiple transactions, having been lured by the promise of employment. When Rana failed to deliver on his promises, the victim lodged a complaint with the Capital Police Station, prompting an investigation.
Authorities apprehended Byasadev Rana near the gate of Lok Seva Bhavan on Friday. Following his arrest, he was presented in court, and police are actively pursuing further inquiries into his fraudulent activities to identify and assist other potential victims.
