An alert police sub-inspector exposed a YouTube group that had replicated a police vehicle and khaki uniform to shoot a video without permission on the back road in Malad West. The group, consisting of five men in police uniforms, is now accused of impersonation and unlawful use of official insignia. Shockingly, they claimed they were filming traffic violation awareness videos for their YouTube channel, police said.
The incident came to light on Monday night outside the Whispering Heights building in Malad West. A replica Bolero jeep, decorated with the Maharashtra Police emblem and the motto “Sadrakshanaya Khalanigrahanaya,” along with a man dressed in khaki, raised suspicion among officers. The alert cop, PSI Devendra Thorat, attached to Bangur Nagar police station, spotted the setup while on duty on September 29.
PSI Devendra Thorat, who spotted the fake police jeep
According to Thorat, 31, he was returning home around 9 pm with PSI Prashant Borkut when they noticed the Bolero parked outside the building. The vehicle closely resembled an official police jeep, carrying the force’s logo and motto. A man in uniform stood nearby, while an Innova across the road was being used to film.
The replica police jeep used by YouTubers, seized by police. Pics/By Special Arrangement
When questioned, a woman present identified herself as content creator Anjali Chhabda. Another person, Ritesh Kaul, said he was producing content for Rose Audio Visuals and claimed the shoot was for a “traffic rules awareness video.” Further inquiry revealed three others: Rishikesh Saxena, 32, who wore the khaki uniform; Muddasir Sheikh, 28, who drove the fake police vehicle; and Ramesh, the driver of the filming car.
The real police jeep. File pic/Satej Shinde
Police confirmed the Bolero was an exact replica of an official police vehicle. Thorat and Borkut took all the accused to Bangur Nagar police station, where a case was registered. A police officer said, “We have registered an FIR against YouTube content creator Anjali Chhabda and five others under Sections 3(5), 205, and 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).”
How cops spotted the fake vehicle
1 Number plate: The replica jeep used a fake number plate and was merely a sticker.
2 Markings on the vehicle: The accused wrote ‘Mumbai police’ on the bonnet of the replica
How the common person wouldn’t
1 The jeep was in the exact colour of official police vehicles (this is strictly prohibited even for film shootings).
2 The Mumbai police symbol was used on the jeep
September 29
Day the incident occurred
