Pune woman arrested for impersonating PSI at skin clinic for early appointment
Synopsis
A Pune woman who failed police recruitment reportedly had a PSI uniform stitched, wore it to a skin clinic in the city's Camp area, and was caught on the spot by an off-duty ASI who noticed the insignia were wrong. The case raises questions about how far aspiration — and the social clout of a uniform — can drive deception.
Key Takeaways
Samina Asif Inamdar , 25, of Mhalunge, Pune , was arrested on 9 June 2025 for impersonating a Police Sub-Inspector.
She allegedly wore a stitched police-style uniform to Sanjeevan Skin Clinic in Pune's Camp area to secure priority treatment.
Off-duty ASI Mahesh Shinde spotted irregularities in her insignia, nameplate, and Independence anniversary ribbon on 6 June .
A case has been filed under Sections 204 and 205 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 .
Police say Samina had a second police-style uniform stitched and had reportedly posed for photographs in the attire.
Investigators are probing whether she used the uniform at other locations or to gain other undue advantages.
A 25-year-old Pune woman has been arrested for allegedly impersonating a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) after she visited a skin clinic in the city's Camp area dressed in a police uniform, reportedly in a bid to secure priority treatment. The arrest was made on Tuesday, 9 June, after an off-duty police officer at the same clinic grew suspicious of her attire.
How the Deception Unravelled
Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Mahesh Shinde, attached to Lashkar Police Station, had visited Dr Ashfaq Sayed's Sanjeevan Skin Clinic — located opposite Victory Theatre in Pune's Camp area — for personal medical treatment at around 10 am on 6 June. While waiting, he noticed a young woman in khaki trousers and a police-style jacket.
When the woman removed her jacket and approached the reception counter, Shinde observed several irregularities — the insignia, nameplate, and other uniform symbols appeared incorrect. According to police, the lanyard, nameplate, and the blue ribbon issued to commemorate 75 years of India's Independence had all been affixed incorrectly. She was also carrying a police cap and a khaki-coloured baton.
Shinde questioned her about her posting. She claimed to be attached to Baner Police Station and said she had come to the clinic after completing a night shift. Her responses and demeanour reportedly appeared inconsistent, prompting Shinde to alert Lashkar Police Station. Female police personnel Pooja Pund and Asra Bansode were dispatched to the clinic and escorted the woman to the station for questioning.
Who Is the Accused
The woman was identified as Samina Asif Inamdar, also known as Samina Ayu Pathan, a resident of Mhalunge in Pune. During questioning, she reportedly admitted that she had long aspired to become a police officer but had failed to qualify for recruitment. She allegedly confessed to having a police-style uniform stitched and to posing for photographs in it. She told investigators she wore the uniform to the clinic hoping to receive priority treatment and an early appointment.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sandeep Bhajibhakare confirmed that Samina works for a private organisation. He stated that police grew suspicious after observing her conduct at the clinic and subsequently confirmed she was not a serving officer. Preliminary investigations, according to Bhajibhakare, also revealed that she had a second police-style uniform stitched.
Charges and Legal Provisions
A case has been registered against Samina under Sections 204 and 205 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which pertain to impersonation of a public servant. This is the applicable legal framework under the newly enacted criminal code that replaced the Indian Penal Code.
Investigation Still Ongoing
Investigators are now examining Samina's background to determine whether she wore the uniform solely to gain preferential treatment or whether other motives were involved. Police are also attempting to establish whether she had previously posed as a police officer at other locations or used the uniform to obtain any undue advantage. Further investigation is underway.
Point of View
Queue-jumping privilege, and social deference. The fact that Samina had not one but two police-style uniforms stitched, and posed for photographs in them, suggests this was not an impulse but a sustained fantasy. The off-duty ASI's alertness is commendable, but it also highlights a gap: if a trained officer had not been present at that clinic, the ruse may well have worked. With impersonation of public servants increasingly enabled by cheap tailoring and replica insignia, law enforcement may need a more proactive deterrent beyond reactive arrests.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Pune woman arrested at the skin clinic?
Samina Asif Inamdar was arrested for allegedly wearing a stitched police-style uniform to Sanjeevan Skin Clinic in Pune's Camp area on 6 June, reportedly to obtain priority treatment and an early appointment. An off-duty ASI at the clinic noticed irregularities in her uniform and alerted police.
What charges have been filed against Samina Inamdar?
A case has been registered against her under Sections 204 and 205 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which deal with impersonation of a public servant. These provisions replaced the corresponding sections of the Indian Penal Code under the new criminal law framework.
How was the impersonation detected?
ASI Mahesh Shinde of Lashkar Police Station, who was at the clinic for personal treatment, noticed that the woman's insignia, nameplate, and the Independence anniversary ribbon were affixed incorrectly. Her responses when questioned about her posting also appeared inconsistent, prompting him to alert the station.
Did Samina have any prior connection to the police force?
According to investigators, Samina had aspired to become a police officer but failed to qualify during recruitment. She subsequently had a police-style uniform stitched and reportedly posed for photographs in it. She works for a private organisation, confirmed Deputy Commissioner of Police Sandeep Bhajibhakare.
Is the investigation still ongoing?
Yes, police are examining Samina's background to determine whether she used the uniform at other locations or to obtain any other undue advantage beyond the clinic visit. Investigators have also noted that she had a second police-style uniform stitched.
