From Government‑Stamped Tesla to Wildlife Items: Inside the Manish Gupta Scandal
When Manish Gupta was taken into custody in Khagaria, investigators did not expect the house to resemble a showroom. The raid revealed a Tesla Model X bearing a "Government of India" label, a Tata Safari SUV, a cache of five Apple mobiles, twenty active credit cards, four cheque books, 31 litres of premium imported whisky, and two set of antelope (barasingha) horns.
Gupta’s modus operandi revolved around a fabricated IAS identity. He would meet victims, display the government‑branded car, present a counterfeit service‑letter, and claim to be an undercover operative for national security adviser Ajit Doval. The elaborate façade allowed him to extract large sums from individuals seeking fast‑track approvals or confidential assistance.
The Economic Offences Unit has now joined the case, focusing on the monetary trail. The twenty credit cards and cheque books suggest a sophisticated financial network that moved money across multiple bank branches. Forensic auditors are mapping each transaction, looking for links to shell entities or undisclosed accounts.
Digital evidence is being harvested from the five iPhones. Call logs, WhatsApp chats, and geo‑location data could expose co‑conspirators, revealing whether Gupta operated alone or as part of a larger fraud ring.
The wildlife aspect adds a legal twist. Barasingha horns are protected under Indian law, and their presence at Gupta’s residence may indicate illegal possession or trafficking. The forest department will verify the horns’ origin and determine if further wildlife offences are involved.
Police also questioned the authenticity of the government‑stamped Tesla. While the vehicle is a legitimate product, the custom inscription could have been added to reinforce Gupta’s bogus official image, a tactic that likely convinced many of his alleged authority.
Overall, the case has evolved from a simple impersonation case to a complex investigation covering luxury assets, financial crime, digital forensics, and wildlife protection. Authorities are committed to recovering the ill‑gotten wealth, filing charges for each violation, and preventing similar scams in the future.