Assamese woman Dr. Ashma Begum arrested in Delhi for driving car with fake diplomatic number plates
Assamese woman Dr. Ashma Begum arrested in Delhi for driving a car with fake diplomatic number plates
Woman is Ramdas Athawale’s party RPI’s National Secretary
Delhi Crown Bureau
New Delhi: The Delhi Police have arrested an Assamese woman identified as Dr. Ashma Begum, aged around 48 years, for driving around a Toyota Innova fitted with a fake diplomatic number plate. Several fake diplomatic number plates were also found from her possession.
The arrest assumed significance even as it came just a few days ahead of the 77th Republic Day, amid strict security arrangements across the Indian capital, particularly Lutyens Delhi.
According to the Delhi Police, the woman was apprehended on January 15. She allegedly drove the SUV fitted with fake diplomatic number plates, and gained access to several sensitive places, including central ministries and embassies, and consulates and residences of foreign diplomats.
Sources known to her told www.thedelhicrown.com that Dr. Ashma Begum always flaunted her fake identity and frequently moved around in diplomatic circles in Vasant Vihar, where many foreign missions and embassies are located and many diplomats reside.
“She often used to befriend people at parties and lunches/dinners thrown by embassies and foreign diplomats, and later requested them to let her park the car at their place. She also used to stay in a rented house in Vasant Vihar, which she claimed as her own,” said a resident of Vasant Vihar who knew her for a brief period last year.
The Delhi Police Crime Branch’s “Anti-Extortion and Kidnapping Cell” formally arrested the woman. The team was led by DCP Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, and also included ACP Pankaj Arora, Sub-Inspector Ankur Yadav, Lady Constable Kiran and Inspector Daleep Kumar.
“The woman initially claimed to be a representative of a foreign embassy. However, she was not able name the mission or to produce any valid documents. She also did not have any documents for the ownership of the vehicle,” DCP Yadav told media persons.
The woman was finally taken to the Crime Branch office in Sunlight Colony for questioning. During the interrogation, she revealed that she had purchased the SUV from a foreign embassy back in November 2024, but failed to get it registered in her name.
According to the Delhi Police, the woman is a resident of Guwahati (Assam), and claims to be National Secretary of the Republic Party of India (RPI) led by cabinet minister Ramdas Athawale. She also claims to be representing several sports bodies.
