Purnia/Patna: A sensational case of deception has surfaced in Bihar’s Purnia district, where a fake police station was reportedly operating unnoticed for nearly a year in Mohani village under Kasba police station. The alleged mastermind, Rahul Kumar Sah, lured young villagers with the promise of government jobs and extorted lakhs of rupees before vanishing as the scheme came to light.
According to the police, Sah posed as a recruiter for the Gramin Raksha Dal, charging local youth between Rs 2,500 and Rs 5,000 for supposed appointments as constables and chowkidars. After enrolling them, he handed out police uniforms, batons, and fake identity cards, and assigned them tasks including vehicle checks and raids targeting liquor smuggling operations.
Victims told police they were instructed to fine motorists Rs 400 for infractions such as not wearing helmets or carrying a driving licence — with Rs 200 going to the patrol team as commission and the remainder pocketed by Sah. “Rahul told us the rest of the money was going into the government treasury,” one victim said.
In a brazen move, Sah established the fake police station at the premises of Madhya Vidyalaya Betauna in Mohani Panchayat. From there, illegal collections were made from liquor smugglers and seized vehicles were released in exchange for bribes. Witnesses reported that CNG autos were used for patrolling, driven by uniformed individuals, and police are now attempting to trace the vehicles and other members of the gang.
Remarkably, the operation went unnoticed by local authorities for months. Village head (mukhiya) Shyam Sundar Oraon and his nephew, Sinod Oraon, were allegedly linked to the operation and even honoured fake constables and chowkidars at this year’s Republic Day celebrations. Many public representatives are reported to have attended events organised by the fake police station. Villagers have openly accused local administration officials of complicity or negligence.
Former Bihar minister and Kasba MLA Mohd. Afaq Alam has demanded a full investigation by Purnia Superintendent of Police Kartikeya K. Sharma. “Such a big fraud was going on, yet the police had no information. This government is promoting unemployment, which is driving educated youth into the hands of fraudsters,” Alam said, suggesting possible involvement of white-collar figures and calling for a special probe.
Meanwhile, Kasba SHO Ajay Kumar Ajnabi confirmed that a case (153/25) has been registered against Rahul Kumar Sah and his associates. Raids are ongoing at multiple suspected hideouts to apprehend the fugitive. “Rahul’s family has been given a two-day ultimatum to present him at the police station, failing which we will initiate attachment proceedings,” Ajnabi said. Authorities are also investigating the broader network behind the fake police operation and seeking to identify its main kingpin.
