ED files prosecution plaint against Gujarat ‘conman’ Kiran in Srinagar

The Enforcement Directorate’s Srinagar Zonal Office has filed a prosecution complaint against ‘conman’ Kiran Patel before Special Court (PMLA), Srinagar, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Patel was arrested in Srinagar in March this year for posing as a senior official in the Prime Minister’s Office.

On March 16, Patel, 48, was arrested in Srinagar after he conned the J&K administration and acquired VVIP protocol and security while in Kashmir. He posed as an Additional Director (Strategy & Campaigns) Prime Minister’s Office and duped officials and civilians in Jammu and Kashmir.

“ED, Srinagar has filed a prosecution complaint (PC) against Kiran Patel S/o Jagdish Bhai Patel R/o Ahmadabad, Gujarat, before the Special Court (PMLA), Srinagar on 28-10-2024, under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002. The court has taken cognizance of the complaint,” ED said.

Patel was charged with cheating, impersonation, and criminal conspiracy under Sections 419, 420, 468, 471, 170, 120B of IPC and Sections 3, 5 of Emblem and Names (Prevention of improper use) Act, 1950.

The Patel couple and their two daughters had travelled to Jammu and Kashmir on a holiday in October last year and February this year and stayed at the five-star hotel from where he was arrested. After staying in the Valley for two to three days, the family had returned home to Ahmedabad in February. A few days later, Patel again travelled to Kashmir with his friend and was arrested.

Patel had taken the L-G administration for a ride by securing Z-plus security cover, a bulletproof Mahindra Scorpio SUV, official accommodation at a five-star hotel, and visits to top tourist spots and strategic security locations.

ED investigation revealed that Kiran Patel had fraudulently created/printed fake visiting cards for faking his identity to fulfil his ulterior motives to dupe people and generate proceeds of crime.