Chandigarh Impersonator Arrested After Years of Masquerading as Army Major
A man who impersonated an Army Major for nearly two years in Chandigarh has been apprehended following an internal investigation. The suspect, Ganesh Bhatt, originally from Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand and residing in Panchkula, was detained by the crime branch after a thorough inquiry revealed his deception.
Bhatt, who had established a rapport with a CIA inspector, frequently borrowed the inspector’s official resources, including a vehicle, driver, and gunman, to support his false identity as a decorated Army officer. He often spent time at the crime branch office, where the inspector reportedly introduced him to other officers as his “cousin.”
Under this guise, Bhatt allegedly defrauded several individuals by promising employment and other favors. Among his victims was a woman constable at the Sector 11 police station, whom he deceived into giving him ₹5 lakh and a gold ring under the pretense of marriage.
The deception unraveled when SP (Crime) Jasbir Singh identified inconsistencies and initiated an investigation. Intelligence agencies confirmed Bhatt had never been in the Army, prompting a secret FIR and his subsequent arrest.
Serial Impostor Since 2018
Further investigations showed Bhatt had been impersonating others since at least 2018, amassing over ₹50–60 lakh through various fraudulent schemes.
| In 2023, using the alias Major Dinesh Dahiya, he falsely promised recruitment into the armed forces as Agniveers, charging each candidate ₹5 lakh. He was ultimately apprehended by Army Intelligence. |
| In 2021, he was caught attempting to enter Chandimandir cantonment in Panchkula dressed as an Army Major, with uniforms and boots confiscated from him. |
To maintain his false identity, Bhatt avoided using personal bank accounts, opting instead to use those of his associates. He took photographs with senior politicians and introduced himself as a Major to a former Chandigarh DGP, further enhancing his fabricated credentials.
Despite being arrested multiple times in the past, Bhatt continued to reinvent his persona to target new victims. Police have stated that investigations are ongoing to fully uncover the extent of his deceptive activities.
