Fake DIG, 'Wife' Take Police for a Ride

The Coimbatore city police officials have been fooled by a man and a woman, who got the police to give them VIP cover for their shopping spree.

COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore city police officials have been fooled by a man and a woman who posed as a Deputy Inspector General of Police and his 'wife', and got police to give them VIP cover for their shopping spree.

The truth leaked out when a man, who had been approached by the couple for money, complained to Saravanampatti police.

Police identified the suspects as G Shanmugham Durai (49), a granite businessman from Madurai and his girlfriend, Meena Kumari (50). The couple was from Saligramam, Chennai. Police said the couple had arrived in Coimbatore on Saturday and were staying at a starred hotel on Avinashi Road.

The couple called up the Saravanampatti police. Durai claimed to be a former DIG who was living in Peelamedu, and demanded that a police escort be provided to him and his 'wife.'

A sub-inspector and two constables were deputed to be escorts. A police car was also provided.

The two then went to a jewellery store in Gandhipuram, and began acting suspiciously. Police immediately took them to Saravanampatti police station, and began quizzing them. 
Police learnt the police officer who Durai claimed he was, had retired more than two years ago. They then began making inquiries with all those whom the couple had visited, and learnt that they extorted money from shops and businesses. One of those cheated by the couple gave a formal complaint to Saravanampatty police.

A case was registered for(impersonating a public servant, and cheating by impersonation. 
Police officials, speaking to Express, said they suspected the two had taken district police from other parts of Tamil Nadu too for a jolly good ride that finally ground to a halt in Coimbatore.

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The New Indian Express
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