Srinagar: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Saturday it has filed a prosecution complaint against alleged Gujarat conman Kiran Patel before a special court here under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The court took cognisance of the prosecution complaint and issued a notice to the accused to appear on November 27, the agency said.
On August 29 last year, a local court granted bail to Patel, a resident of Ahmedabad, who was arrested for allegedly posing as a top official in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in March.
Patel was taken into custody in Srinagar in March, where he had been posing as an "additional secretary" in the PMO, according to officials.
ED while confirming the development on social media platform X on Saturday, said that the Prosecution Complaint (PC) was filed before the Special Court (PMLA) in Srinagar on October 28, 2024, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The court has taken cognizance of the complaint, a crucial step in the legal proceedings against Patel.
ED, Srinagar has filed a Prosecution Complaint (PC) against Kiran Patel S/o Jagdish Bhai Patel R/o Ahmadabad, Gujarat before the Hon'ble Special Court (PMLA), Srinagar on 28-10-2024, under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002. The Hon’ble Court has taken cognizance of the PC.
— ED (@dir_ed) November 9, 2024
Patel, the son of Jagdish Bhai Patel from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, was arrested after being caught staying in a luxury hotel in Srinagar while on his third visit to the region. Security officials apprehended him after a series of investigations revealed he had been fraudulently claiming to be a high-ranking official in the PMO.
The Enforcement Directorate's investigation into Patel's activities is centered around the alleged misuse of government credentials for personal gain, including access to sensitive areas and meetings with top officials. Patel had reportedly used the false identity to manipulate local authorities and gain privileges normally reserved for senior government officials.
During his arrest, Patel was found to be carrying documents and correspondence bearing the PMO's name, which he used to forge his credentials. Authorities allege that his deception was part of a larger network involved in similar fraudulent activities.
The ED launched a probe into Patel's financial transactions, suspecting that the accused may have used his fake position to engage in money laundering and other illicit financial dealings. The agency's filing of the Prosecution Complaint marks the formal commencement of legal action against him under the PMLA.
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