Agartala, November 03, 2025: A Delhi-based UPSC coach was arrested in Lucknow after he allegedly posed as an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer and attempted to meet Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha at a five-star hotel.

The accused identified as Prashant Mohan had checked into the Marriott Hotel in Lucknow on October 30, introducing himself as a revenue officer and claiming to be a relative of the Lucknow Police Commissioner. His actions soon drew suspicion from the Chief Minister’s security personnel, who alerted the local police.

According to officials, Prashant’s mannerisms and inconsistent statements raised red flags among hotel staff and the CM’s security detail. When police reached the hotel the following day, he had already checked out. A search operation was launched, and he was soon apprehended from a nearby area.

The hotel authorities informed the police that Prashant’s vehicle was equipped with red and blue beacon lights, adding to doubts about his official credentials. His driver reportedly fled with the car before police arrived.

Upon arrest, Prashant reportedly clutched his chest and pretended to have a heart attack. He was immediately taken to the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute, where doctors confirmed he was in perfect health.

During interrogation, Prashant admitted that he frequently fabricated fake identity cards to gain access to VIPs and take photographs with them for personal use. “I like meeting big people,” he confessed.

Police have taken Prashant into custody and launched an investigation into his background, networks, and possible previous fraudulent activities. Authorities are also probing whether others were involved in the impersonation attempt.