The case of Mithlesh Kumar Manjhi, an 18-year-old from Bihar, took a dramatic turn after his initial claims of being scammed into paying ₹2 lakh for an IPS position made headlines. Manjhi showed up at a Jamui police station dressed in an IPS officer’s uniform, carrying a fake pistol. His story quickly went viral after the National Crime Investigation Bureau shared a video of him looking confused in uniform.
While many sympathized with him for allegedly falling victim to a scam, new revelations suggest Manjhi might not be as innocent as he first appeared.
What Happened?
On September 20, Manjhi arrived at a local police station in Bihar, posing as an IPS officer. He claimed that a man named Manoj Singh had conned him out of ₹2 lakh, promising him the position of an IPS officer. According to Manjhi, he borrowed the money from his uncle and paid Singh, who provided him with the uniform and instructed him to visit the police station.
The police took Manjhi into custody and began investigating his claims. He also provided Singh’s mobile number to the authorities. After questioning him, the police began a search for Singh.
The Investigation Unfolds
However, during their investigation, the Bihar police found no evidence to support Manjhi’s claims. His maternal uncle, who Manjhi said had lent him the ₹2 lakh, denied ever giving him money for a job. The uncle confirmed that he had previously loaned Manjhi money for family matters, including his mother’s treatment and house construction, but not for securing an IPS position.
The police then attempted to locate Manoj Singh. Despite contacting multiple individuals with the same name in the area Manjhi mentioned, none matched the description, and Manjhi was unable to identify anyone. Further, the phone number Manjhi gave was switched off and registered in the name of another person entirely.
Doubts Over manjhi’s Story
Investigators have cast significant doubt on Manjhi’s version of events. SHO Mintu Kumar Singh stated that after tracing his location on September 20, they discovered that Manjhi was not in the Khaira area, where he claimed he received the uniform. Instead, he was in Lakhisarai, where police suspect he may have purchased the uniform himself.
So far, the details Manjhi provided have not been verified, and the police believe his story was fabricated. The investigation continues, but authorities are now focusing on the possibility that Manjhi faked the scam to appear as a victim.