A man by the name of Kiran Bhai Patel, with an unknown public identity, stayed in Srinagar for a few days, held meetings with the officials in Kashmir and even held discussions over matters related to tourism in Kashmir. This description would make anyone believe that Kiran Bhai Patel is a senior official, which he was for a total of a few weeks.
Kiran Patel posed as an Additional Director for strategy from the Prime Minister’s Office and made an ‘official visit’ to Srinagar. While in the valley, he enjoyed Z plus security cover, a bulletproof car, and a caravan of Paramilitary guards along with him, all the time.
Kiran Bhai Patel
The imposter was arrested by the police in the first week of March, however, the news of his arrest was kept under cover by the police. On March 17, the details of his arrest came out after a magistrate sent him to judicial custody.
Patel, who has a verified Twitter, has over a thousand followers on that platform. On his Twitter, Patel regularly posted pictures from his trip, where he can be seen surrounded by paramilitary officials.
Kiran Bhai Patel, A conman from Gujarat posed as a senior official from the Prime Minister's Office and got Z+ security cover, a bulletproof SUV and official accommodation at a five-star hotel in J&K. He was arrested at least 10 days ago.
Style 🤣 pic.twitter.com/WHnoXUAhRf
— Tushar ॐ♫₹ (@Tushar_KN) March 17, 2023
According to his social media, Patel claims to have a Ph.D. from Commonwealth University, Virginia, an M.tech in Computer Science, and an MBA from IIM Trichy. In his Twitter bio, Patel describes himself as a “thinker, analyst, strategist, and campaign manager”.
The suspicion around him grew when the ‘official’ visited the valley twice in two weeks. The police officials had received the information about the visit of a “senior PMO officer”. The intelligence agencies alerted the police about the possibility of a con man impersonating a PMO official. After verifying his background, the police arrested the man from a hotel in Srinagar.
The authorities have started an investigation against the man and the Gujarat police are also expected to join in.
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