The court of chief judicial magistrate, Srinagar, has granted bail to alleged Gujarat conman Kiran Patel, who was arrested for impersonating as a top official in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and duping people of lakhs.
“The court granted bail to Patel on a personal bond of ₹1 lakh and two local sureties of the same amount,” one of his lawyers Anil Raina said.
The court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Srinagar Raja Mohammad Tasleem granted the bail, the lawyer said.
Patel was arrested from Lalit Hotel in Jammu and Kashmir in March after videos showing him moving around under security cover went viral.
Earlier the court had rejected two bail applications by Patel, observing that he seemed to be a habitual offender in view of the fact that as many as five FIRs are registered against him in different places including his home State Gujarat.
Besides, the court had observed that the nature of the offence against him was very serious as the accused has tried his level best to dupe the Government functionaries and seems to be “habitual in committing such type of offences”.
Patel posed as an “Additional secretary” of the Central government. He was on his third visit to Kashmir when he was nabbed by security officials on March 3.
Patel had claimed to have been given a mandate by the government to identify buyers for apple orchards in south Kashmir.
Kiran Patel, alias Bansi, was arrested on the charges of cheating, forgery, and availing of monetary and material benefits. The police had also raided his bungalow in Ghodasar for investigation.
Patel has a verified Twitter account and counts a BJP official among his followers. He used his fake profile to get Z-plus security, bulletproof vehicles, and luxurious hotel facilities. Emboldened after deceiving all and sundry, he met top bureaucrats and reportedly visited the LoC (Line of Control) area. Court documents reveal that he forged identity cards too.
His Twitter bio claims that he holds a PhD from Commonwealth University, an MTech in computer science and a BE in computer engineering. He describes himself as a ‘thinker, strategist, analyst and campaign manager’.
His game was up when a District Collector in Srinagar became suspicious as he visited the region twice a week, apparently to monitor development projects like Pir Panjal tunnel and redevelopment of Lal Chowk. An inquiry revealed no such person held a position at the PMO’s office.
Patel already has three cases registered against him in Gujarat: Raopura Police Station, Naroda Police Station, and Bayad Police Station.
In the past too he had posed as a government officer entrusted to identify buyers for apple orchards in South Kashmir. Reports have emerged of him flying to Gulmarg, claiming the government asked him to supervise the quality of the hotels in the region.
Earlier, he had misled people into believing that he had ties with Uttar Pradesh governor Anandiben Patel and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and even held office at Swarnim Sankul.
In 2021, he was arrested for presenting himself as a member of the PMO Advisory Committee at the Statue of Unity. Once, he borrowed a car from DCP TM Parmar’s son and never returned it. There is a story of him collecting funds for a garba programme, promising to bring a famous singer on the occasion. Of course, these were fake promises meant to dupe people of big money.
Sources said, Patel could be a henchman of a greater nexus at work. Not only did he hoodwink the entire Jammu and Kashmir administration into “official” privileges during his two trips to the valley, he was careful to “take back” the visiting cards handed out to officials.
Investigation now reveals that Patel had 10 cards printed at a total Rs 100 from the printing press at Maninagar. His designation mentions “Additional Director (Strategy and Campaigns),” PMO. Additionally, his social media handle tags him as a “creative consultant” with the Union Government of India.
He used these visiting cards in his meetings with four bureaucrats, some senior BJP leaders, and police officers in Srinagar during his last visit in February and March.
Patel and his accomplices – Amit Pandya and Jay Sitapara – would call a senior police officer in Srinagar to arrange for a hotel, Z+ security, and a bulletproof vehicle. In fact, shortly before he was called out, “he reprimanded a senior police officer for not providing a mobile-signal jammer to accompany his escort in Srinagar.”
Back home in Gujarat, Pandya and Sitapara sold dreams of plots for sale in the Valley. The trio would target senior leaders and retired government officers. Patel seemed in complete know of official protocols.
Finally arrested by Srinagar Police from room number 1107 at Hotel Lalit, he was accompanied by Pandya and Sitapara.
Also Read: Gujarat Police To Get Taser Guns For Crowd Control
