SRINAGAR: The bail application of Patel Kiran Jagdish Bhai, who is facing charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including 419, 420, 467, 468, and 471, has been rejected by the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Srinagar. The decision was made due to the exceptional circumstances surrounding the case and the ongoing investigation.
The accused, hailing from Ghodasar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, has been accused of impersonating himself as an Additional Director (Strategy and Campaign) at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in New Delhi. It is alleged that he used forged means and criminal intentions to deceive and dupe unsuspecting individuals, inducing them to engage in activities for his financial gain.
The accused, posing as a high-ranking official, managed to obtain security cover from Security Kashmir and visited highly secure and sensitive locations, including the URI Border. This security breach raised concerns about the potential compromise of national security.
During the investigation, it was discovered that the accused had a history of similar offenses, with several cases registered against him in Gujarat. The Crime Branch Gujarat had requested a change of custody to complete the investigation in their case, leading to the accused being transferred to their custody temporarily. However, as the investigation in the present case was incomplete, the accused was handed back to the Police Station Nishat, Srinagar.
The investigation team has made progress in arresting another accused, Piyush Kantibhai Vasita, who is still being investigated for further evidence. While a charge sheet has been partly presented against Patel Kiran Jagdish Bhai, the investigation against him and other procedural formalities are yet to be completed.
The bail application was rejected based on the observations made by the court in the previous bail application, which highlighted the gravity of the charges and the ongoing investigation. The court deemed it necessary to keep the accused in custody, considering the potential impact on national security and the involvement of multiple co-conspirators who are yet to be apprehended.
The defense counsel argued that there had been a change in circumstances since the previous bail application, primarily due to the change of custody. However, the court ruled that these grounds had already been considered and addressed in the earlier decision.
The prosecution emphasized the deep involvement of the accused in the crime, as well as his habitual pattern of committing similar offenses. They argued against granting bail, citing the need to apprehend additional co-conspirators and complete the investigation.
With the rejection of the bail application, Patel Kiran Jagdish Bhai will remain in judicial custody at Central Jail, Srinagar. The investigation will continue, focusing on collecting further evidence and identifying and apprehending other individuals involved in the conspiracy.
The case has attracted significant attention due to the security implications and the accused’s attempts to exploit his fabricated position for personal gain. The court’s decision reflects the seriousness of the charges and the need for a thorough investigation to uncover the full extent of the accused’s actions.
