Conman posing as high-ranking Indian government official held in Kashmir

By Nusrat Sidiq

SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir (AA) — A man impersonating a high-ranking official from the central government was apprehended in Indian-administered Kashmir after security agencies in the region raised a suspicious alert.

Kiran Patel, the conman from the western Indian state of Gujarat, was apprehended by police on March 3 from a hotel room in Srinagar, the regional capital.

He remained in police custody until Friday when he was ordered by a local court to be kept in judicial custody in jail for 15 days.

Before his arrest, he had made a few visits to Indian-administered Kashmir impersonating an additional director in the Prime Minister's Office in the capital New Delhi.

He went to highly sensitive security zones in the region, where he was given official high-security cover and bulletproof vehicles. He also attended numerous meetings with the regional administration and enjoyed spending time in many scenic destinations.

The imposter admitted to the crime, according to a statement issued by the local police on Friday, and 10 fake business cards and two mobile phones were seized from him.

“A case under deceit and forgery has been registered against him,” police said.

“The said individual, by resorting to cheating, forgery, and impersonation has duped gullible people and also intentionally induced people to do and also to omit to do activities, under a well-knit plan for securing monetary as well as material benefits,” reads the FIR

Police said many relevant people have been questioned in this case, and an investigation is underway.

“Further details of the case will be shared later,” the statement said.

The police also said three cases have already been registered against the imposter in different police stations throughout Gujarat.