A 21-year-old man accused of impersonating a Brigadier in the Indian Army was detained by Army personnel during a sting operation conducted at the Shaheed Museum inside Shahjahanpur Cantonment on Friday.
The accused, identified as Aryan Verma, had allegedly been roaming around Shahjahanpur and nearby districts for several months wearing the ceremonial uniform of a Brigadier and presenting himself as a senior Army officer.
Army Planned Sting Operation
According to officials, Army authorities had been tracking Verma since April after receiving reports that a very young man was frequently appearing in full Brigadier uniform and using military insignia on a private vehicle.
Unable to locate him earlier, Army officials allegedly devised a plan to lure him into a controlled setting. Officials posing as civilians contacted Verma and invited him to deliver a motivational speech to candidates preparing for defence recruitment examinations at the Shaheed Museum in the cantonment area.
On Friday morning, Verma arrived at the venue dressed in a Brigadier’s ceremonial uniform.
Officials said he was travelling in a Tata Harrier SUV fitted with military stars and flags typically associated with senior Army officers.
Army personnel immediately detained him upon arrival.
Fake IDs, Uniform and Security Detail Recovered
During the operation, authorities reportedly recovered several suspicious items from Verma and his associates, including:
- A fake government identity card
- An identity card allegedly bearing the seal of the Dean of the Armed Forces Medical College
- An Army regimental cane
- A fake pistol
- Military insignia used on the SUV
Investigators also found that Verma was accompanied by two bouncers, whom he allegedly introduced to people as National Security Guard (NSG) commandos assigned to his security.
Officials said the accused projected himself as a high-ranking military officer while moving around publicly with the fake entourage.
Investigation Taken Over by Army Intelligence
An Army Intelligence team from Bareilly has taken over the investigation and is questioning Verma regarding the motive behind the impersonation, the source of the forged documents and uniform, and whether other individuals were involved.
Superintendent of Police Saurabh Dixit said Army authorities were currently conducting an inquiry.
“Once the Army completes its inquiry and transfers custody to the police, an FIR will be registered and a comprehensive investigation will be carried out,” Dixit said.
Failed NEET Aspirant
According to documents recovered during the investigation, Aryan Verma had reportedly been staying in Delhi and preparing for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). Officials said he had allegedly failed the examination multiple times.
Some reports claimed that in early 2026 he began telling relatives and acquaintances that he had been selected as a Brigadier and posted at a military hospital in Chandigarh.
Investigators are also examining how he obtained the military uniform, forged identity cards and insignia used on the vehicle.
Family Background
Officials said Verma belongs to Shahjahanpur district. His father works in the horticulture department while his mother is a government school teacher.
