Delhi Police Nab Man for Impersonating Ex-Lava International MD

In a surprising turn of events, the Delhi Police apprehended an individual at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for impersonating Hari Om Rai, the former Managing Director of Lava International Ltd., who is embroiled in a money laundering case. The arrest, made on Friday, came after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) urged the Delhi Police to file an FIR against Rai, his son Pranay Rai, the impersonator Naval Kishor Ram, and others on Thursday.

Ram was caught during a cardiac examination at AIIMS, where he attempted to pass off as Hari Om Rai using court-issued documents. This arrest sheds light on the intricate layers of the case against Chinese smartphone-maker vivo-India, involving allegations of money laundering.

Hari Om Rai had been arrested by the ED in October of the previous year on charges related to this case. He managed to secure a three-month bail on medical grounds from the Delhi High Court in February. Recently, Rai sought an extension for his medical bail, citing cardiac issues. The court mandated a cardiac examination at AIIMS and expected a report on Thursday.

ED officials, who were supervising Rai's medical examination at AIIMS, were met with evasion as Rai did not show up for his appointment. Upon investigation, they discovered Ram undergoing the examination in Rai's stead. Ram initially claimed to be Hari Om Rai but later revealed his true identity upon further questioning.

Ram disclosed that he was directed by a doctor from Vasant Health Centre to impersonate Rai for obtaining free medical treatment using the latter's court documents and medical records. This revelation led to his detention along with his nephew by the ED at AIIMS.

The police FIR filed against Ram and others includes charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating by impersonation, making false documents, forgery, and using forged documents as genuine. Following this incident, Hari Om Rai's request for bail extension was denied by the high court, resulting in his incarceration at Tihar Jail under judicial custody.

This case not only highlights issues of identity fraud but also underscores the ongoing investigation into the money laundering allegations against prominent figures in the tech industry. The Delhi Police and ED's swift action in this matter signals their commitment to upholding justice and deterring fraudulent activities.