Pune: A 32-year-old man was arrested for allegedly impersonating Amol Kolhe, MP, NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) and demanding money from a Pune-based builder.

Pune Police’s Crime Branch unit arrested the accused on Wednesday. The accused is identified as Vishal Arun Shendge (resident of Kondhwa).

According to the police, MP Amol Kolhe filed a complaint, alleging that a person impersonated him and demanded money from a builder based in Pune. The police further added that the accused contacted the builder in Wanavdi in Pune. He also claimed himself as Member of Parliament and asked him to help those people who suffered amid lockdown imposed recently.

An investigation by the Crime Branch, led by Sub-Inspector Vijay Zanjad, exposed the connection of the accused and his partner Suresh Bandu Kamble (resident of Ganj Peth) in his fake call. Both were arrested by the police. An FIR has been lodged at the Wanavdi Police Station against the duo under relevant sections of IPC (Indian Penal Code) in the case.

According to the police, Shendge is a history-sheeter and there are seven offences against the accused. He had made similar fake calls by impersonating state BJP President and MLA Chandrakant Patil. The operation was led by Ashok Morale, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime), Bachchan Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) and other senior officials.