In a disturbing case of fraud and identity theft, a woman from Ahmedabad has lodged a police complaint alleging that she was deceived by a man posing as a public prosecutor who promised assistance in securing bail for her imprisoned husband.

The complainant, identified as Priya Kori, a resident of Chandlodiya, filed the case at the Sola High Court Police Station. She reported that her husband, Harsh Narendrabhai Kori, has been in custody at Sabarmati Central Jail for the past eighteen months, following charges under the POCSO Act.

According to the FIR, Priya received a call on April 6 at approximately 10 am from a man identifying himself as ‘Karthik Pandya’, claiming to be the public advocate representing the opposing side in her husband’s case at the Gujarat High Court.

He reportedly offered to abstain from contesting her husband’s bail application in exchange for money, thereby easing the path to bail.

Initially hesitant, Priya later met the man that evening near Funblast at SG Highway, along with her mother-in-law. The individual reportedly showed her a photo of her husband and a list of upcoming High Court bail hearings, adding credibility to his claim.

He then demanded ₹75,000 but eventually convinced her to make smaller payments totalling ₹20,000 via UPI to a QR code registered under the name “Jyotii Enterprise”.

Further suspicions arose when the accused delayed the alleged hearing date and sent inconsistent messages. Sensing foul play, Priya contacted her husband’s legal counsel, Harshadbhai Parmar, who confirmed there was no such bail hearing on record.

On April 9, Priya, accompanied by her advocate and mother-in-law, confronted the man outside Gate No 5 of the Gujarat High Court. When pressed for identification, he revealed his real name as Mayankbhai Mansukhbhai Sanghani of Jamnagar. Upon realising his deception, Priya immediately approached the police.

The accused is said to have impersonated a government official and exploited the victim’s desperation, thereby breaching trust and unlawfully extracting money.

A formal complaint has been filed, and the police are currently investigating the matter. Authorities have confirmed the registration of a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to impersonation, cheating, and criminal breach of trust. Further developments in the case are awaited.