Srinagar, April 1, KDC: An Advocate from Srinagar has filed an application under RTI Act to seek details about expenditure spent on a Gujarat man who impersonated as PMO official in Kashmir valley.
The applicant Advocate Aamir Masoodi according to news agency Kashmir Dot Com has sought details of the officials who held “official meetings” with conman; name of departments which spent “public money” on his transportation and accommodation. He sought details of the total amount spent on accommodation, transportation and other expenses of Patel on his last two visits to Kashmir.
An application addressed to the Designated Information Officer in the office of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, the applicant has also sought details of the concerned department who has paid the whole amount on behalf of Patel on his last two visits to Kashmir.
It further sought names of government officials posted in Kashmir who had meetings with Patel during his visits to Kashmir.
Patel was arrested by Srinagar Police from a five-star hotel in Srinagar for posing as an ‘additional secretary’ in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and enjoying security cover besides other hospitality. On his arrest in Srinagar, FIR No 19 of 2023 was registered against him at Police Station Nishat for criminal intention and indulging in activities by employing a high degree of forged means.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar had said they were checking the lapses in the case and action will be taken against the officer involved.
“There was negligence on the level of a field officer and action will be taken,” Kumar said, adding that the police acted quickly against Patel when they got to know about the case.
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered an inquiry to probe into various aspects related to visits of alleged Gujarat conman, Kiran Patel to Kashmir during the past months and security arrangements made during his visit.
It was first Srinagar based news agency Kashmir Dot Com that broke this story “Srinagar police in a high profile case, have arrested this conman, a resident of ‘Gujarat’ allegedly by forged means posing as Additional Director (Strategy & Campaigns) Prime Minister’s Office, New Delhi, at Hotel Lalit in Srinagar on specific input received by CID wing of J&K Police.” (KDC)