Explained: how 'conman' Kiran Patel allegedly hoodwinked security forces in Kashmir

Kiran Patel, a resident of Gujarat, was arrested in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar on March 3 for allegedly posing as a senior official of the Prime Minister’s Office.

According to reports, Patel claimed he was an Additional Director (Strategy and campaigns) at the PMO and said that he had been given a mandate by the government to identify buyers for apple orchards in south Kashmir

He had during an earlier visit to Gulmarg reportedly claimed that the government had tasked him to look for improvement in hotel facilities in the area.

He also reportedly received Z+ plus security cover, a bulletproof SUV and a stay at a 5-star hotel during his visits.

According to the information given by police, the CID informed J&K Police on March 2 about the arrival of an impersonator following which a team was sent to the Lalit Hotel in Srinagar.

The police statement says that Patel’s replies to their questions were suspicious and he was then taken to the police station where he confessed. Two mobile phones and 10 fake visiting cards were reportedly seized from him.

According to court documents, this was the third visit to Kashmir.

Kiran Patel’s wife has her husband as an engineer and he had gone to Kashmir for development work.

The alleged conman has a verified account on Twitter. According to his bio, he has a PhD from Commonwealth University in Virginia, an MBA from IIM Trichy, an M Tech in Computer Science and BE in computer engineering.

Patel has shared several photos and videos from his visits to Kashmir.

A video posted by him on February 27 showing walking in a heavily snow-covered area with several security personnel.

Patel also posted a video from Gulmarg on February 26. A February 23rd video again shows him with security personnel in Aharbal of Kulgam district.

Also, spread across his timeline are several photos from what appear to be high-security zones like an Army camp. Most of his posts on or from Kashmir carry #PMOIndia. Some also have #JKtourism.

Back in January, he posted pictures with several Kashmiris and wrote that since 2015 the people of J&K have earned a special place in his heart and he is happy he now needs to visit Kashmir frequently before assembly elections in the state.

In the very next post, he thanked the prime minister for trusting his abilities and giving him a chance to be a part of the mission to develop Kashmir.

The police statement on his arrest also mentions that Kiran Patel has 3 cases registered against him in Gujarat as well.