The Jammu and Kashmir police have arrested a conman from Gujarat, who got Z-plus security cover, a bulletproof Mahindra Scorpio SUV, official accommodation at a five-star hotel and a lot more. The imposter has been identified as Kiran Bhai Patel, who has managed to take the J&K administration and its security structure for a ride. He has posed himself as a senior officer from Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Conman Patel’s arrest kept secret

According to the officials, the imposter was impersonating an Additional Director for strategy and campaigns in the Prime Minister’s Office. He was arrested at least 10 days ago, but his arrest was kept a secret by the police.

On Thursday, details of his arrest emerged after a magistrate sent him to judicial custody. However, it is unclear if a First Information Report (FIR) was registered on the same day of his arrest or if there was some delay in filing it.

What in Patel’s Twitter?

Taking notes from Patel’s Twitter handle, he is also verified on Twitter and has over a thousand followers, including BJP Gujarat General Secretary Pradipsinh Vaghela. Moreover, he shared several videos and pictures of his ‘official visits’ in Kashmir surrounded by paramilitary guards, the last of which was on March 2.

In his Twitter account, his bio claims to have PhD from Commonwealth University, Virginia, an MBA from IIM Trichy, as well as an M.Tech in Computer Science and B.E. in Computer Engineering.

Further, he has described himself as a “thinker, strategist, analyst and campaign manager.”

Also Read: Delhi Police Issues Notice To Rahul Gandhi, Seeks information On Sexual Harassment In J&K

Patel’s visit to J&K

Patel’s first visit to the valley was in February when he visited health resorts.

Moreover, there are several videos of him travelling to various places escorted by the paramilitary and the police. He is seen walking through snow at Doodhpathri in Budgam with paramilitary guards.

During his visit to J&K, the conman was seen posing for a photo in front of the clock tower Lal Chowk in Srinagar.

As per the sources, the conman, Patel also held meetings with officials to discuss ways to bring more tourists from Gujarat and about making Doodhpathri a major tourist destination.

Patel came under suspicion after he arrived in Srinagar on his second visit within two weeks. Sources said an IAS officer who is a district magistrate informed the police about the visit of a “senior PMO officer” last month.