Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir administration on Wednesday appointed a senior IAS officer to probe alleged conman Kiranbhai Patel’s visits to the Union territory posing as a PMO official and the security protocol provided to him.
According to an order issued by the Home Department, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, V K Bhiduri has been appointed as the inquiry officer and directed to submit a detailed report within one week.
“The inquiry officer shall identify the lapses in part of the officers/officials concerned and submit a detailed report within one week,” reads an order issued by Additional Chief Secretary Home Department, Raj Kumar Goyal.
Patel was arrested early this month for posing as a senior official in the Prime Minister’s Office. He had managed to get Z-category security protocol during his visits to the Valley and attended several official meetings.
He had also visited many sensitive areas, including the Line of Control in the Uri sector.
J&K Police has already registered an FIR No 19 of 2023 against him at Police Station Nishat for criminal intention and indulging in activities within the jurisdiction of said police station and other parts of Kashmir and by employing a high degree of forged means. Recently, Patel was sent into judicial custody and is currently lodged in Central Jail Srinagar.
The Gujarat Police is also likely to claim his custody, as he has been operating there for several months and has reportedly duped several locals using various fraudulent means.
Earlier, the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Vijay Kumar had stated that the Gujarat conman was given the security cover due to failure of some field officers, noting that action will be taken against all such officers.
