On 3rd March, the Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested a man for impersonating an Additional Director for Strategy and Campaigns in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The imposter, identified as Kiran Bhai Patel, had been in Jammu and Kashmir since October and had held meetings with officials in the region while pretending to be a senior official in the PMO.
According to the police, Patel had visited various locations in the region, including the Kaman post in Uri near the Line of Control (LOC), before being apprehended in Srinagar. This was Patel’s third visit to Kashmir valley while impersonating an Additional Secretary in the PMO.
Patel had been enjoying the government’s hospitality and staying in a luxurious hotel room during his visits. He was even assigned a Personal Security Officer (PSO) while pretending to be a senior official in the PMO.
The FIR lodged in Nishant Police Station, Srinagar, stated that Patel “indulged in activities within the jurisdiction of this police station and other parts of Kashmir valley.” The Gujarat Police also assisted in the investigation.
Sources revealed that the CID branch had detected the conman initially, although the State police did not want to speak up. The Deputy Commissioner of Pulwama district, Basheer Ul Haq, and Superintendent of Police Zulifar Azad were questioned regarding why the imposter was not identified earlier.
The police have charged Patel with impersonation and other relevant offenses. This incident has raised concerns regarding security protocols and the need for stricter verification processes for individuals claiming to be government officials.