Imphal: A daring impersonation scam targeting state legislators in Manipur has been busted, with three individuals arrested from Uttarakhand and brought to Imphal. The accused, posing as Jay Shah, son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, allegedly attempted to extort large sums of money from several MLAs by promising them the Chief Minister’s post.
According to police reports, the three arrested individuals made phone calls to multiple MLAs in February 2025, exploiting the political uncertainty in the state following the resignation of the then Chief Minister. They introduced themselves as Jay Shah and assured the legislators that they would be considered for the Chief Minister’s position in exchange for substantial funds.
The three arrested accused have been identified as Uvaish Ahmed (19), Gaurav Nath (19), and Priyansu Pant (19). They were tracked down by the Manipur Police, with the assistance of Uttarakhand authorities, through mobile phone records and digital footprints. Sources revealed that the arrested individuals used fake caller IDs and social engineering tactics to make their scam appear credible.
The police are now probing whether the trio had any political backing or if they were part of a larger network engaged in similar fraudulent activities. Authorities have urged the public and political representatives to remain cautious against such scams. Legal proceedings against the accused are currently underway, and they are expected to be produced before the court soon.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage in Manipur’s political circles, with several MLAs calling for stringent action against such deceptive practices. Senior police officials have assured a thorough investigation into the case and have warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone attempting to manipulate political processes through fraudulent means.