ED files complaint against ‘conman’ Kiran Patel, hearing on Nov 27

Srinagar, Nov 09: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a Prosecution Complaint (PC) against Kiran Patel, a conman from Ahmedabad, who posed as a high-ranking official of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and duped several Gujarat-based businessmen by promising them lucrative business opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The complaint, lodged under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), was filed before a special PMLA court in Srinagar on October 28, 2023. The court has taken cognisance of the case and issued a notice to Patel to appear before it on November 27.
According to officials, Patel, through fraudulent means, managed to gain access to security and official privileges usually reserved for PMO functionaries. He used fake visiting cards that falsely identified him as the “Additional Director, Strategy and Campaigns, PMO” and convinced local authorities in Jammu and Kashmir to provide him with VIP security, including a bulletproof car, security personnel, and accommodations at five-star hotels.
The conman’s deception was first uncovered when the Nishat Police Station in Srinagar filed an FIR against Patel and others for various offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The ED’s investigation revealed that Patel’s impersonation allowed him to secure undue advantages, including financial gains. By presenting himself as a PMO official, he exploited the trust of several businesspeople from Gujarat, promising them lucrative business opportunities in the Kashmir Valley. Patel is accused of swindling these individuals, who were misled into believing they could secure contracts and other business benefits in Jammu and Kashmir through his supposed influence in the government.
In addition to his fraudulent activities in the business community, Patel’s actions also caused a significant loss to the state exchequer by illicitly availing resources meant for official use. The ED’s probe into Patel’s dealings began after a complaint from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, leading to search operations at several properties linked to Patel and his associates on May 19, 2023. These raids resulted in the seizure of incriminating documents, records, and electronic devices.
Patel’s arrest earlier this year revealed a long history of criminal activities. On March 3, 2023, he was arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir Police for impersonating a PMO official. His arrest followed a similar pattern of fraud in Gujarat, where he was already facing multiple cheating cases. Notably, he is accused of cheating a Morbi-based businessman of Rs 48 lakh.
The case also highlights a disturbing trend of impersonation in the region, where individuals posing as high-ranking officials have misled both the public and authorities for personal gain. Patel’s ability to deceive not only local authorities but also seasoned businessmen reflects the vulnerabilities in administrative systems that such conmen can exploit.
Patel was granted bail by a Srinagar court on August 29, 2023, with a bail bond of Rs 1 lakh and two sureties. However, the ongoing investigation by the Enforcement Directorate suggests that this may be just the tip of the iceberg, with further links to illicit financial activities still under scrutiny.
The ED has made it clear that further investigations are underway, and the department is committed to taking stringent action against those involved in such fraudulent schemes. “The action against Kiran Patel is part of our broader efforts to combat financial fraud and ensure accountability for those who exploit the system for personal gain,” said an ED spokesperson.