ED moves court to start proceedings against conman who posed as PMO official

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has written to a special Gujarat court to start criminal proceedings against conman Kiran Patel, who was arrested in 2023 for posing as a top official from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Taking note of the ED’s plea, the court issued a notice to Patel, directing him to appear on November 27 in a money laundering case.
In July 2023, Kiran Patel was arrested from a five-star hotel in Srinagar for allegedly posing as Additional Director (Strategy and Campaigns) of the PMO.
Patel posed as the PMO official to dupe people and secure undue advantages from the Jammu and Kashmir administration, police had said after his arrest.
While posing as a top PMO official, Patel told Jammu and Kashmir sleuths that he had been tasked by the government to identify buyers for apple orchards in south Kashmir.
An India Today investigation also showed that Patel was provided Z-plus security cover, a bulletproof SUV and official accommodation at a five-star hotel in Srinagar.
Patel also held meetings with officials of the Union Territory and visited sensitive areas in the Kashmir Valley and other places of strategic importance, the India Today investigation highlighted.
The ED initiated an investigation after a case was filed against Patel at a police station under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
During the probe, the ED also carried out raids on various premises linked to Patel and others, seizing incriminating documents, records and electronic devices.
A case was also filed against Patel under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in May 2023.