A Kashmiri man has been apprehended by the Odisha Police Special Task Force (STF) for allegedly duping people by posing as an Army doctor and an official from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The 37-year-old individual, identified as Sayed Ishaan Bukhari alias Dr Ishaan Bukhari, also stands accused of marrying multiple women across various locations. According to STF IG JN Pankaj, the suspect has purported connections with individuals in Pakistan and suspicious elements in Kerala.

The arrest took place in Neulpur village, located in the Jajpur district, on Friday, December 15. Acting on a tip-off, the STF successfully apprehended Bukhari, who had been operating under various false identities.

“The accused was found to be impersonating a Neuro Specialist, an Army Doctor, an officer in PMO, a close associate of high-ranking NIA officials, and others. During the arrest, numerous forged documents, including medical degree certificates issued by Cornel University of USA, Canadian Health Services Institute, and others, were seized,” informed Pankaj during a press conference.

Furthermore, the police discovered that the suspect, hailing from Jammu & Kashmir’s Kupwara area, possessed several forged affidavits, bonds, ATM cards, blank checks, Aadhaar cards, and visiting cards.

Pankaj revealed, “It was also found that the accused has married at least 6-7 women from various parts of India, including Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha.” The accused, who had deceitfully presented himself as a highly qualified doctor with international degrees, was also involved in multiple romantic relationships with several women, added the police official.

Additionally, Pankaj mentioned that it appears the accused is wanted by the Kashmir Police in connection with a case of cheating and forgery, with a pending non-bailable warrant against him. The suspect was allegedly in contact with various Pakistani nationals and individuals with suspicious backgrounds in Kerala.

Pankaj clarified that no direct link between the accused and the ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence, Pakistan’s intelligence agency) has been established so far. “A joint team of police from Punjab, Kashmir, and Odisha will conduct further interrogation,” Pankaj concluded.