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A man posing as a Kolkata Police detective allegedly robbed a cigarette trader of cartons worth ₹84,645 in the Bansdroni area of south Kolkata. The trader has lodged a complaint with Bansdroni Police Station, following which an investigation has been launched. Police are examining CCTV footage to identify and trace the accused.
According to the police, the trader regularly travels to different locations on a bicycle to supply cigarettes and was carrying cartons of several branded cigarette packets on the cycle's rear carrier. While he was on his delivery route, the accused allegedly intercepted him on a road in Bansdroni and introduced himself as an officer from the Detective Department at Lalbazar.
The accused allegedly demanded documents related to the purchase of the cigarettes and asked the trader to produce the wholesale invoices. When the trader questioned his identity, the accused allegedly threatened and assaulted him. He then instructed the trader to get the invoices stamped by the wholesaler and assured him that he would guard the bicycle and the cigarette cartons until he returned.
Fearing further intimidation, the trader went to the wholesaler to obtain the required stamp. When he returned, he found his bicycle at the spot, but the cigarette cartons worth ₹84,645 and the man claiming to be a police officer had disappeared. The trader then realised that the accused had impersonated a police official to execute the theft.
Police suspect the accused may have monitored the trader's routine before carrying out the robbery. Investigators are analysing CCTV footage from the area to identify the suspect and recover the stolen cigarette cartons. The investigation is continuing.