In a story reminiscent of the popular Bollywood film “Bhoolchook Maaf,” a man from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, went to extraordinary lengths to win the hand of his beloved—by faking a prestigious government job. The tale of Shahzad Ahmed, a B.Com graduate, has become a cautionary example of how desperation and deception can unravel lives.

A Love Story with a Condition

Shahzad Ahmed fell in love with Ikra, a girl from his neighborhood. Ikra reciprocated his feelings, but her father set a strict condition for their marriage: Shahzad must secure a respectable government job. Determined to marry Ikra, Shahzad faced two choices—either work hard and earn the job, or take a shortcut. Unfortunately, he chose the latter.

The Fraud Begins

Shahzad moved to Moradabad to prepare for the UP Police Sub-Inspector exam, but failed to clear it. While browsing the online list of successful candidates, he noticed a name similar to his—Shahzad Ansari. Seizing the opportunity, he edited the online results to display his own name, created a fake Aadhaar card and two other forged ID cards, and purchased a complete police uniform from a tailor.

Returning to his village dressed as a government officer, Shahzad was celebrated as a local hero. He opened a coaching center and posted numerous videos on social media flaunting his new status. Ikra’s family, convinced of his success, finally agreed to the marriage. In December 2024, Ikra and Shahzad tied the knot.

Cracks in the Facade

The initial days of marriage were smooth, but soon financial troubles surfaced. Ikra began questioning Shahzad about his job and his frequent absences from the supposed office. He would often make excuses, claiming he was a GST Inspector and only went to the office occasionally. Ikra and her brother grew suspicious and started investigating his whereabouts. Their inquiries revealed the shocking truth—Shahzad was not a government officer, but a fraud.

Legal Action and Arrest

On June 3, 2025, Ikra filed a police complaint against Shahzad and his mother, accusing them of harassment for dowry. The police quickly arrested Shahzad, who confessed that he had faked his identity to marry Ikra, as her family did not want her to marry an unemployed man. He was presented before the court and sent to jail.

Not the First Case

Shahzad’s case is not unique. There have been several instances of people tampering with exam results and faking government job credentials. In the 2022 UPSC exam, two women named Ayesha Fatima claimed the 184th rank, but only one was genuine. Similarly, in 2024, two men named Tushar Kumar claimed the 44th rank in the UPSC exam, but only one was authentic; the other had forged documents and had not even passed the preliminary exam.

Shahzad Ahmed’s story is a stark reminder of the consequences of fraud and the lengths some may go for love and social approval. As authorities continue to crack down on such cases, it serves as a warning to others that shortcuts and deception only lead to disgrace and legal trouble.