Two arrested for forgery, cheating

Two men were arrested here for allegedly submitting fake bank guarantees and audit reports to get a government contract from Assam Rifles, police said Tuesday.

Shambhu Prasad Singh, who impersonated an IAS officer, and Shyam Sunder Bhatter, were arrested after Syndicate Bank lodged a complaint.

While Singh was a central government employee and worked in various ministries, Bhatter is an engineer.

According to the complaint, two companies -- Dynamic Shells India Pvt Ltd and Sai Baba Builders and Consultants Pvt Ltd -- were in the business of supplying prefabricated shelters to Assam Rifles and other paramilitary forces, said a police officer.

In June 2011, Directorate General of Assam Rifles, Shillong, requested the bank to authenticate five bank guarantees totalling Rs.38.83 lakh given by the two companies for procuring the business.

"On verification, Syndicate Bank found that all the bank guarantees were fake," said a police officer.

"It also came to light that the financial statements and audit reports submitted by these companies in the tender document were fake and fabricated. Signatures were forged on all the audit reports," the official added.

Singh was arrested Monday while police arrested Bhatter May 2 in the capital.

The accused are from Kolkata.

Singh claims to have worked with Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Minister of State for Communication, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers in earlier governments.

"This vast exposure with various ministries gave him the confidence to pose as a senior ranking IAS officer," police said.