India Tomorrow
SRINAGAR—The security establishment in Jammu and Kashmir has got an egg on its face after a Gujarat man impersonated Additional Director (Strategy and Campaigns), PMO, and enjoyed the government protocol before his cover was blown off by Crime Investigation Department (CID).
Kiran Bhai Patel of Ahmadabad stayed in a five-star hotel for more than a month. He was provided with a bulletproof car and police and paramilitary escort.
The conman held meetings with top officers of the government and visited different tourist places with armed police and paramilitary guards in tow.
On March 2, CID informed the police about the arrival of an impersonator in Kashmir.
Police immediately swung into action and sent a team led by SP East to a hotel. During preliminary questioning, his replies were found suspicious. He was taken to Police Station, Nishat, where he confessed to his crime. Police said, ten fake visiting cards and two mobiles were seized from him.
A case under sections 419,420,467,468, and 471 of IPC was registered in Police Station Nishat and an investigation was taken up.
“A team of SP East Srinagar, SDPO Nehru Park, and SHO Nishat are leading the investigation. The accused Kiran Bhai Patel was sent to police remand up to March 17. Many relevant persons have been examined in this case. The case is at the initial stage of the investigation. Further details of this case will be shared later on,” police said.
Pertinently, three cases are registered against the fraudster in different police stations in Gujrat: A case was registered at Raopura Police Station, Baroda city on August 8, 2019. Earlier, Naroda Police Station Ahmedabad City registered a case against him in 2017. Police Station, Aravali booked him in August 2019 under sections 120B, 406, and 420 IPC.
The Internet has exploded in memes with people pooh-poohing police and administration for giving VIP protocol to imposters. “Mr. Natarwal,” said one user.
“Bas itni confidence chahiye,” said another.
