Assam Woman Dr Ashma Begum Held in Delhi on Charges of Using Forged Diplomatic Identity

New Delhi: In a significant development, the Crime Branch of Delhi Police apprehended a woman for allegedly using forged diplomatic number plates. The suspect, identified as Dr. Ashma Begum, approximately 48 years old, was intercepted on January 15 while driving a Toyota Innova with a fake diplomatic registration plate. Reports indicate that she had been utilising counterfeit foreign embassy number plates to navigate through high-security diplomatic zones without hindrance.

According to an official press release by the Delhi Police, the arrest was made on January 15 after the Anti-Extortion and Kidnapping Cell received a specific input. Reportedly, police intercepted Ashma Begum in the Vasant Vihar area just when she was about to drive the vehicle. A thorough search of the vehicle led the police to the recovery of an additional fake embassy number plate.

When asked about the number plate, she reportedly had no valid diplomatic ownership papers that she could produce before the police officials.

During questioning, the accused allegedly confessed that she used embassy-style number plates to bypass routine police checks and gain easy access to restricted areas, including embassy zones. She told investigators that she had purchased an Innova car from a foreign embassy in November 2024 but did not complete the registration process in her name.

The embassy later lodged a complaint at the Chanakyapuri police station regarding the vehicle.

According to police, the woman deliberately fabricated number plates resembling diplomatic registrations to impersonate an embassy official and circulate freely in sensitive areas of New Delhi. 

The report stated that the operation was initiated following a tip-off received by the Anti-Extortion and Kidnapping Cell. A specialized team, led by Inspector Daleep Kumar and comprising several officers, was formed to investigate the matter. The team tracked the suspect to E-Block, Vasant Vihar, where they discovered she had moved to B-Block. Upon locating her vehicle parked on Street B-5, the officers set up a trap.

At approximately 3:10 PM, Dr. Begum approached her car, opened it with keys in hand, and was about to start the engine when police intervened. Upon questioning, she claimed the vehicle was diplomatic but failed to provide any valid ownership documents. During interrogation, she initially presented herself as a representative of a foreign embassy but did not disclose the embassy's name.

Further investigation revealed that she had been using forged number plates from a foreign embassy. Dr. Begum admitted to purchasing the Innova from an embassy in November 2024 but did not register it in her name. Following a complaint from the embassy at PS Chanakya Puri regarding the vehicle's registration, she removed the original plates and created fake ones resembling diplomatic registrations to evade police checks and facilitate unrestricted access to various embassies.

The police discovered additional forged number plates within the vehicle. Given her impersonation as an embassy representative and the use of counterfeit plates to deceive government agencies, authorities suspect her involvement in anti-national activities, warranting a thorough investigation. Consequently, a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the investigation is ongoing.

Further investigation revealed that the woman is a resident of Guwahati and claims to be the national secretary of the Republic Party of India (RPI), led by Union Minister Ramdas Athawale. She has also claimed associations with multiple sports organisations.

Officials said the timing of the incident, close to Republic Day, makes the case particularly significant from a national security standpoint.

She also told police that she had previously worked as a consultant with a foreign embassy and is currently involved in consultancy work for foreign students, especially African nationals, seeking admission to a university in Meghalaya.

It may be mentioned that the accused person has been remanded to six days of police custody while the cyber department investigates deep into her digital footprint.

Also Read: One horned Rhino road show 2026: A unique effort to conserve Assam's Rhino