A 29-year-old youth, who had been masquerading as a journalist with a reputable national news channel for three years and had demanded a computer from Bokaro deputy development commissioner, Arvind Kumar and Rs 10,000 from district transport officer Jaideep Tigga, was arrested on Sunday.

Ajay Singh, who stays in Sector II of Bokaro steel city but hails from Rohtas, Bihar, was nabbed while he was clicking pictures of the lock-up at Chas police station.

Singh was produced before the media on Monday by Bokaro SP Y.S. Ramesh.

Cases have been against him filed by Kumar and Tigga.

After his arrest, Singh gave references of top RSS members and Jamshedpur MLA Sarayu Roy. When Bokaro police contacted the news channel he claimed to be working for, the RSS members and the MLA, they said they didn't know him.

Police found several fake documents, including letter pads of NGOs, a journalists' association and other organisations that don't exist from his bag.

SP Ramesh told mediapersons a complaint was lodged against Singh on Sunday by a businessman at Petarwar police station. He had demanded personal favours and cash from the businessman. On being refused, he picked up a fight with the complainant.

"From now on, every journalist will have to produce his identity card and even have to produce his vehicle registration number, which will help the police identify any conman," the SP added.