BJP leader uses AI voice, forged documents to impersonate MLC to divert ₹3.6 crore funds

An office-bearer of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jalgaon has emerged as the prime accused in a bizarre case involving the impersonation of BJP MLC Prasad Lad to fraudulently transfer ₹3.6 crore from his local area development fund.

- Vinay Dalvi

The accused, 29-year-old Amit Solunke, allegedly forged official documents, duplicated Lad’s signature and even used artificial intelligence (AI) tools to mimic his voice in an attempt to move the funds from Ratnagiri—Lad’s nodal district in the Konkan region—to Beed in Marathwada.

The case came to light on July 2 when Lad filed a complaint at the Sion police station, stating that someone had impersonated him and initiated a fake request to divert the funds. The Maharashtra Legislative Council chairman subsequently directed the state government to investigate the matter seriously.