Mumbai police begin action against 2 constables for impersonation

Mumbai police have initiated disciplinary action against two constables, both brothers, for alleged impersonation of the elder one by the other, so as to facilitate the former to attend a wedding, police said on Wednesday.

The constables have been identified as Umesh Dhebe (27) and his younger brother Ramesh Dhebe, police said. Ramesh Dhebe, attached to quick response team (QRT) was allegedly caught impersonating his elder sibling last month, after Umesh Dhebe decided to skip work and attend a friend's wedding, a senior IPS officer said, requesting anonymity.

Action has been initiated against both the constables, the officer said.

The incident took place at the Police Training School in Marol on April 22 when a police recruitment drive was under way, police said. Constable Umesh Dhebe, who was one among the 400 additional police personnel deputed by the Local Arms department to examine application forms, had asked Ramesh Dhebe to go for the duty, police said.

The younger brother obliged Umesh Dhebe by turning up at Marol, the police said.

Ramesh Dhebe had donned the belt and name tag embossed with Umesh Dhebe's buckle number and full name, said police, adding that he was eventually pulled out by senior officials.

Upon being interrogated, the younger brother confessed that his brother and he had switched places, since the former had to attend a meeting, police said.

Umesh Dhebe had asked for leave in mid-April which was turned down, they said.

The outcome of the action will depend on the submission of the disciplinary action report, police said.