The Enforcement Directorate has filed a Prosecution Complaint against Kiran Patel, a self-proclaimed ‘conman,’ before the Special Court in Srinagar, accusing him of committing fraud under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
Patel allegedly impersonated himself as the Additional Director (Strategy and Campaigns) at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and fabricated fake visiting cards to deceive people and further his criminal motives.
The ED’s complaint, filed on October 28, 2024, details how Patel, a resident of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, used these forged credentials to dupe individuals and create illegal financial gains.
The court has taken cognizance of the charges and has issued a notice for Patel to appear on November 27, 2024.
The investigation began after an FIR was filed by Nishat Police Station in Srinagar, against Patel and others, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860. According to the ED, Patel fraudulently presented himself as a high-ranking official from the PMO, using fake visiting cards to exploit his false identity.
His actions not only led to significant financial losses for the Jammu and Kashmir state government but also allowed him to trick businessmen from Gujarat into believing he could offer them lucrative business opportunities in Kashmir.
The ED’s investigation further revealed that Patel used his fabricated identity to gain security from the Jammu and Kashmir administration, causing both a depletion of state resources and a financial loss to the public exchequer.
Additionally, he exploited his false persona to secure unwarranted benefits from businessmen in Gujarat by making false promises of business prospects in the region.
Earlier this year, on May 19, 2023, the ED had conducted searches under PMLA, 2002, at several locations linked to Patel and his associates. During these searches, incriminating documents, records, and electronic devices were seized, providing further evidence of Patel’s fraudulent activities.
The case highlights how Patel’s scheme exploited both governmental and private sector trust, leading to a significant breach of security and a loss of financial resources.
The investigation is ongoing as the ED seeks to uncover the full extent of his criminal network and hold him accountable for his actions.
