Conman from Gujarat poses as PMO official arrested in Srinagar

Srinagar: A conman from Gujarat masquerading as an ‘Additional Director in the Prime Minister's Office’ was arrested by Jammu and Kashmir police earlier this month, officials said.

The arrest of the alleged imposter identified as Kiran Bhai Patel son of Juddesh Bhai Patel resident of Ahmedabad Gujarat was made on March 3 and kept a secret by the police till Thursday.

Police on Friday said the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) wing of J&K Police on March 2 informed about the arrival of an impersonator in Kashmir. Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar immediately sent a team led by SP East to Lalit hotel after which he was arrested, they said.

“The particulars of this person were found as Kiran Bhai Patel son of Juddesh Bhai Patel resident of Ahmadabad Gujarat who was impersonating himself as Additional Director (Strategy and campaigns) PMO New Delhi. As his replies were found suspicious, he was taken to Police Station Nishat wherein he admitted his crime. Ten fake visiting cards and two mobiles were seized from him,” police spokesman said.

Based upon this a case under sections 419 (cheating by personation), 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery),468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document) of Indian Penal Code was registered in Police Station Nishat and investigation was taken up.

Police said a team of SP East Srinagar, SDPO Nehru Park, SHO Nishat are leading the investigation.

The accused Kiran Bhai Patel is in police remand up to Friday.

Police said many relevant persons have been examined in this case.

“Case is at the initial stage of investigation,” police said.

Police said there are three cases registered against Patil in different Police stations in Gujarat.

Patel is also verified on Twitter and also shared several videos and pictures of his 'official visits' in Kashmir surrounded by security men.

It is learnt that a high level probe has been ordered as Patil has taken the security structure of J&K for a ride. He is even believed to have had a series of meetings with officials during his two earlier visits to Srinagar earlier. He even visited the volatile Line of Control in the Uri sector.

Meanwhile, Patel's counsel in Srinagar on Friday refuted the allegations against his client.

He attributed Patel's arrest to "political rivalry" in Gujarat and asked how his purported accomplices were set free by the Police. (UNI)