Lucknow: A late-night spat over bun-butter and tea at a roadside stall in Mahanagar’s Gole Market spiralled into high drama, with a 38-year-old man allegedly posing as an IPS officer, even demanding salute from policemen on duty and eventually landing in custody.The accused, identified as Mithilesh Shukla, was arrested by Mahanagar police for impersonation and obstructing govt work and sent to jail on Tuesday, SHO Akhilesh Mishra said.Police said that on Jun 15 night, Shukla got into an argument with tea vendor Viru Gupta over payment. A patrol team reached the spot, only to be met with an unexpected claim of authority, when Shukla claimed he was an IPS officer posted in Noida and demanded that they salute him. He even checked them for their uniforms and caps.His conduct raised suspicion. When asked to produce an identity card, he reportedly said he did not have it on him and walked away, saying he would return with proof. The episode resurfaced hours later when police received fresh complaints of the same man creating a ruckus at the stall. He was brought to the police station, where his “IPS” façade unraveled.During questioning, Shukla admitted he was no officer. Police said he is an accounts executive in a private firm in Noida.
