Patna: A shocking fake job racket operating from within a government department in Patna, Bihar, has been busted with the arrest of a brother-in-law duo. The two, posing as government officials, allegedly defrauded unemployed individuals by promising them jobs in the health department and secretariat. In an audacious move, they had even set up a 'counter' in the verandah of the Social Welfare Department.

The police, who uncovered their activities on Thursday, identified the main accused as Ajay Kumar Shukla, who impersonated a Section Officer of the Health Department. His brother-in-law, Raja Kumar, acted as a police constable. The duo claimed to secure jobs and extorted significant amounts of money from job seekers.

The fraud came to light when Rajnath Singh, an Assistant Branch Officer in the Social Welfare Department, noticed a person displaying a banner related to CDPO appointments via video call in the department's verandah. His suspicious behavior prompted an inquiry, during which he identified himself as a Branch Officer of the Health Department. However, a verification of his identity card revealed it to be fake.

The Social Welfare Department immediately informed the Secretariat Police Station. Upon arrival, the police apprehended Ajay Kumar Shukla. During interrogation, he confessed to running the scam with his brother-in-law, Raja Kumar. Authorities recovered a police uniform, two fake ID cards, three mobile phones, a laptop, stamps, and two forged commendation letters in the names of IAS officers from the accused. Further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend other accomplices involved in the racket.