Maharashtra minister's fake 'PA' cheats social worker of ₹5,000 in Khed
Synopsis
A man in Khed, Ratnagiri, allegedly posed as the PA of Maharashtra minister Yogesh Kadam and pocketed ₹5,000 from a social worker who wanted to flag illegal stone quarries in Chiplun. The case mirrors a broader pattern of political impersonation scams — including a Delhi arrest just weeks earlier — where fraudsters exploit citizens' trust in political access to extort money.
Key Takeaways
Accused Raviraj Chikhale allegedly posed as the PA of Maharashtra minister Yogesh Kadam and accepted ₹5,000 from social worker Vidyadhar Dattaram Salunkhe , 56, on 17 September 2026 in Khed, Ratnagiri .
Salunkhe wanted to raise concerns about alleged unauthorised stone quarries in Chiplun taluka causing government revenue losses.
Khed Police registered the case on 18 October 2026 under Crime No.
342/2026 , invoking Sections 318(2), 318(4) and 319(2) of the BNS, 2023 .
Allegations against Chikhale are yet to be established; investigation is ongoing.
A similar case was recorded in Delhi on 29 September 2026 , where Bhalinder Pal Singh allegedly cheated a businessman of ₹1.69 lakh by impersonating the spouse of a political leader.
A fraud case has come to light in Khed, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra, where a man allegedly impersonated the personal assistant (PA) of state minister Yogesh Kadam and swindled a social worker out of ₹5,000 by promising to arrange a ministerial meeting. The incident, which took place on 17 September 2026, was reported to authorities, and Khed Police formally registered the case on 18 October 2026.
What Happened
The complainant, Vidyadhar Dattaram Salunkhe, 56, a social worker from Khed, wanted to bring to Minister Yogesh Kadam's attention the alleged operation of unauthorised stone quarries in Chiplun taluka. According to the complaint, these quarries were reportedly causing significant revenue losses to the state government.
During this process, the accused, Raviraj Chikhale, allegedly introduced himself as the minister's PA and convinced Salunkhe that he could arrange a direct meeting with the minister and help resolve the matter. Trusting this claim, Salunkhe reportedly handed over ₹5,000 to Chikhale on 17 September.
The Alleged Deception
According to the complaint, the promised meeting with the minister never materialised, and Salunkhe's concerns regarding the illegal quarries remained unaddressed despite his payment. Salunkhe alleged that his attempts to follow up with Chikhale proved futile, prompting him to approach the police.
It is important to note that the allegations against Chikhale are yet to be established through the ongoing investigation.
Case Registered
Following the complaint, Khed Police registered the case under Crime No. 342/2026 on 18 October 2026. The case has been booked under Sections 318(2), 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which deal with cheating. Further investigation is currently underway.
A Recurring Pattern Across India
This incident is not isolated. In a similar case, Delhi Police on 29 September 2026 arrested a 44-year-old man, identified as Bhalinder Pal Singh, for allegedly cheating a businessman from Dwarka of ₹1.69 lakh. Singh reportedly posed as the spouse of a prominent political leader, claiming to need money urgently to pay a student's fees, with a promise of reimbursement through the politician's office.
Singh allegedly used an image of the Ashoka emblem as his messaging application profile picture to make his account appear official. The businessman reportedly transferred funds across multiple bank accounts and even booked a Delhi-Lucknow flight ticket before realising he had been deceived. The incidents underscore a worrying pattern of fraudsters exploiting public trust in political figures to extract money from unsuspecting citizens.
What Comes Next
Khed Police are continuing their investigation into Chikhale's claims and alleged links to the minister's office, if any. The outcome of the probe is expected to determine whether additional charges or accused persons are involved. Authorities have not yet issued an advisory, but such cases point to the need for citizens to verify the credentials of individuals claiming ministerial affiliations before making any payments.
Point of View
000 story in monetary terms, but its implications are larger. It exposes how easily the mystique of ministerial access can be monetised by fraudsters, especially among citizens who lack direct channels to raise legitimate public interest concerns. The complainant's intent — flagging illegal quarries causing revenue loss — was civic and credible; the system's inaccessibility created the opening Chikhale allegedly exploited. The near-simultaneous Delhi case, involving the Ashoka emblem as a fake credential, points to a pattern: political impersonation fraud is growing more sophisticated. Authorities would do well to treat these not as isolated cheating cases but as signals of a broader trust-exploitation ecosystem that preys on civic engagement.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is accused in the Khed ministerial PA fraud case?
The accused is Raviraj Chikhale , who allegedly posed as the personal assistant of Maharashtra minister Yogesh Kadam and collected ₹5,000 from social worker Vidyadhar Dattaram Salunkhe on 17 September 2026 in Khed, Ratnagiri. The allegations are yet to be established through investigation.
Why did the social worker approach the minister in the first place?
Complainant Vidyadhar Dattaram Salunkhe wanted to bring to the minister's attention the alleged operation of unauthorised stone quarries in Chiplun taluka , which were reportedly causing significant revenue losses to the Maharashtra government. He sought a ministerial meeting to address the issue.
Under which legal sections has the Khed fraud case been registered?
Khed Police registered the case under Sections 318(2), 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 , which pertain to cheating. The case bears Crime No. 342/2026 and was filed on 18 October 2026 .
Is there a similar case of political impersonation fraud in India recently?
Yes. On 29 September 2026 , Delhi Police arrested Bhalinder Pal Singh , 44, for allegedly cheating a Dwarka businessman of ₹1.69 lakh by posing as the spouse of a prominent political leader. Singh allegedly used an Ashoka emblem profile image to appear official and promised reimbursement through the politician's office.
What happens next in the Khed case?
Khed Police are continuing the investigation under the BNS provisions. The outcome will determine whether additional accused are involved and whether the charges are substantiated. No further arrests have been reported as yet.
