Military Intelligence, in collaboration with the Daulatabad police, executed a successful operation that led to the arrest of a 48-year-old woman accused of impersonating an Indian Army officer. The woman, identified as Ruchika Jain, a resident of Dharampur, was apprehended on Thursday morning following a raid conducted at her home.
Authorities reported that Jain frequently donned a Captain’s rank uniform and presented herself as a retired Army officer at various public functions, social gatherings, and cultural events. This deceptive behavior allowed her to gain considerable recognition and influence among attendees.
During the raid at Jain’s residence, officials uncovered a substantial cache of military uniforms and related accessories. Among the seized items were a complete set of combat uniforms featuring Captain stars, Para Special Forces insignia, and a personal nameplate bearing her name. Additionally, the recovery included two ceremonial officer dresses embellished with medals and ribbons, combat footwear, belts, gloves, face masks, Army socks, and even a war memorial photograph.
Investigators also discovered a counterfeit identity card from a private security agency that showcased her picture in an Army uniform. Other items seized included trophies inscribed with the name “Captain Ruchika Jain” and various mementos from local organizations where she appeared in military attire.
Police Commissioner Pravin Pawar provided insights from the preliminary investigation, revealing that Jain confessed to having worked as a security guard in Delhi back in 2001, where she interacted with retired Army personnel. Captivated by military life, she began acquiring fabric and accessories in 2017 to craft her own military uniforms. Since then, she has been actively attending events, including those at a local private academy, where she masqueraded as a Captain and claimed to mentor students, exploiting her fabricated military status.
The impersonation was exposed following specific intelligence gathered by Military Intelligence, prompting the subsequent raid and arrest of Jain. She has been charged under pertinent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for posing as a public servant.
At present, Jain remains in custody as police conduct further investigations to ascertain whether she gained any financial or other benefits from her impersonation of a retired Army officer. The case has raised concerns about the potential implications of such impersonations on public trust and the integrity of the armed forces.
