In a deeply alarming breach of security protocols, a woman who falsely claimed to be a police sub-inspector (SI) and participated in nearly two years of training at the Rajasthan Police Academy (RPA) has been apprehended. The accused, Mona Bugalia, who went by the pseudonym “Mooli Devi,” successfully embedded herself within the state’s premier police training institution without having cleared the SI recruitment examination.

Authorities arrested Bugalia in Rajasthan’s Sikar district, where she had been hiding under a fabricated identity. Her arrest came after months of evasion, triggered by an FIR registered in Jaipur’s Shastri Nagar police station in September 2023. According to SHO Mahendra Yadav, the case was filed after a female constable received threats via WhatsApp from someone impersonating a sub-inspector. The probe that followed revealed that no individual by the name “Mooli Devi” was listed among the academy’s trainees.

Failed SI Aspirant Forges Identity, Enters RPA as ‘Mooli Devi’

Originally from Didwana in Nagaur district, Bugalia is the daughter of a truck driver and had failed the Rajasthan SI recruitment exam in 2021. Determined to enter the force, she forged documents and adopted the identity of “Mooli Devi,” spreading false claims of selection through social media. She subsequently joined exclusive WhatsApp groups for successful candidates and began showing up at RPA posing as an SI, allegedly under the sports quota.

During the investigation, officers raided her Jaipur residence and discovered Rs 7 lakh in cash, three police uniforms resembling those of in-charge-level officers, a fake badge and ID, and documents related to RPA examinations. The police said she had frequently shifted locations to avoid detection.

Impostor SI Joins Drills, VIP Events, and Goes Viral with Police Officials

Despite RPA’s assertion that classroom and indoor training access is tightly restricted, Bugalia was able to take part in outdoor drills, attend high-profile events, and interact openly with senior officers. Her social media presence added a layer of legitimacy to her disguise; she posted motivational videos dressed in uniform and even delivered public speeches at career guidance events. In one instance, she was photographed on stage with senior police officials, offering advice to aspiring candidates.

Her fabricated role granted her access to events typically reserved for legitimate personnel, including a former Director General of Police’s daughter’s wedding and exclusive temple visits with VIP privileges. She also played tennis with a serving Additional Director General (ADG). Officers revealed that her familiarity with academy personnel helped her bypass ID checks at special entry gates.

Activist Slams Police After Fake SI Trains for Two Years

“This isn’t just a lapse. It’s institutional rot,” social activist Vijay Kumbhar wrote in a viral post. “Mona Bugalia failed the cop exam in 2021. So she changed her name, forged documents, and got into the Jaipur Police Academy as ‘Mooli Devi.’ For two years, she trained, made reels with IPS officers, played tennis with ADGs, and extorted people. Nobody noticed she wasn’t even real. Now arrested. No background check. No verification. Nothing.”

While the case was initially uncovered when SI trainees raised concerns about her identity, it was the WhatsApp threat that led to a formal complaint and the start of a wider inquiry. Once questioned, Bugalia admitted her real identity and revealed her motives, which included impressing her family and benefiting from the perceived power and respect associated with the police force.

Fake SI in Custody; Probe on Fraud and Possible Inside Aids

Following her court appearance, Bugalia has been placed under a five-day police remand. Investigators are now working to determine whether she extorted or defrauded any individuals during her time as a fake officer and whether any insiders were complicit in her infiltration of the police training institution.

This unprecedented case has raised serious concerns regarding the verification process at state-run law enforcement training facilities. Despite multiple security layers, Bugalia was able to pass as an officer-in-training, train alongside actual recruits, and build close connections with high-ranking officials—all without triggering suspicion for nearly two years.