Himachal Pradesh Police have taken action in a case involving alleged military impersonation in the Kasauli area of Solan district, where a 31-year-old man is suspected of posing as an Indian Army officer while wearing uniform and carrying identity papers said to be linked to the Army. The accused has been identified as Arpan Katoch, and the available reports say he was employed at a private hotel and may have tried to pass himself off as an Army Colonel to avoid toll charges.
According to local reporting, Katoch is from Tikri village under Duhki Post Office in Baijnath tehsil of Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh. He had reportedly been living in rented accommodation in the Sunardi area near Kasauli while working at a private hotel, and some reports describe him as a chef.
How the matter came to light
The case reportedly surfaced after Military Intelligence received information on October 23 that a man was moving around Kot village and nearby areas in an Indian Army uniform and introducing himself as a military officer. That information was then passed on to the local police, leading to an inquiry by the Garhkhal police post under Kasauli Police Station.
A police team led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Lalit Kumar traced the suspect to his rented accommodation and questioned him about his military status. During verification, investigators found that he was not a serving Indian Army officer and instead worked for a private hotel.
Alleged use of a fake Colonel identity
A report published by Divya Himachal on October 26 said preliminary police findings suggested that the accused had allegedly adopted the identity of an Indian Army Colonel to avoid paying toll charges. The same report said he had obtained military-style clothing and identification documents to support that identity.
Police have not publicly confirmed how many times he may have used the alleged fake identity, which toll plazas may have been involved, or whether any financial benefit was actually obtained through the impersonation.
Documents and uniform under examination
During the probe, police reportedly recovered an Army-style liquor canteen card that carried the accused’s name and a photograph in military uniform. When asked about the card and his claimed link with the Indian Army, Katoch was reportedly unable to produce documents showing that he was a serving military officer.
Investigators are still trying to establish how he obtained the Army uniform, military insignia and the suspected forged identification papers. They are also checking whether any other person helped him secure those items or whether he used the alleged military identity in other situations as well.
Case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
Kasauli Police have registered a case under Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which relates to wearing the garb or carrying tokens used by public servants with fraudulent intent. According to reports, DSP Parwanoo Anil Sharma confirmed that the matter is under investigation and that more legal provisions may be added if further offences are established.
Solan Superintendent of Police S.D. Verma also confirmed police action in the case and said the circumstances around the alleged impersonation were being examined. While several reports described the accused as arrested, another report said he was released after questioning following the issuance of a notice, so the exact procedural status remains unclear pending official clarification.
What investigators are still checking
Police are now trying to determine whether the alleged impersonation was only meant to avoid toll payments or whether the accused used the assumed military identity for other purposes. The case has also raised concern over possible misuse of military uniforms and identity documents in an area near a cantonment.
Kasauli is home to a military cantonment, which is why the reported impersonation is being treated as a matter of concern for local security agencies. At present, there is no verified evidence linking Katoch to espionage, theft of military information or any wider security network.
Further investigation is in progress to trace the source of the suspected fake documents, understand the accused’s activities while posing as an Army officer, and identify any additional offences. The allegations against Katoch remain subject to investigation and judicial determination.
