Two men have been arrested for allegedly entering Jio World Plaza in Bandra-Kurla Complex with a suspicious Prime Minister’s Office identity card and a firearm, but Mumbai Police have ruled out any connection with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit.
The incident occurred on Monday evening, September 7, a day before the Prime Minister attended the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai. Early reports described it as a security scare at the PM’s event venue, but police later clarified that the men were stopped at the shopping mall and that the incident was unrelated to the programme.
A metropolitan magistrate remanded Rohan Parikh, 24, and Dilip Kunde, 49, to police custody until September 11. Investigators are also searching for a third accused, Prathamesh Bagul, 26.
Proposal for Conducting Cyber Crisis Drill, Tabletop Exercise (TTEx) & CCMP Readiness Exercise
How the Suspicious Identity Card Was Discovered
According to the police account presented in court, the men arrived at Jio World Plaza on Monday evening. Security guards stopped Kunde after finding that he was carrying a firearm.
An argument followed, during which one of the men showed a photograph of an identity card claiming an association with the Prime Minister’s Office. The guards found the document suspicious and alerted police.
Investigators subsequently examined CCTV footage and identified the vehicle used by the group. The vehicle was registered in Parikh’s name, and police tracked down Parikh and Kunde.
The identity card allegedly described Parikh as a Grade C PMO official. Police said it contained an issue date but lacked a validity date and the designation of the issuing authority, raising questions about its authenticity.
The police are now investigating who prepared the document and how it came into Parikh’s possession.
Firearm Was Licensed, but Police Allege Territorial Violation
The recovery of the firearm initially contributed to the security alert. Subsequent reporting, however, established that the weapon was licensed.
Police told the court that the licence was valid only for Nashik Rural district. They alleged that carrying the weapon in Mumbai therefore violated the applicable authorisation.
The exact licence conditions and statutory provisions have not been independently examined. The issue is whether the person carrying the firearm was authorised to possess it at that location, not simply whether a licence existed.
Kunde has been described as Parikh’s private security officer. Investigators are examining his role and the circumstances in which he accompanied Parikh to the mall.
Accused Claims He Was Duped by Fake PMO Appointment
The case took a further turn during the remand hearing when Parikh’s lawyer argued that his client may himself have been the victim of a deception.
The defence said Parikh had received an official-looking appointment letter, an identity card and a letter purportedly signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was also allegedly contacted through an email claiming to come from an Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister.
According to the defence, these documents led Parikh to believe he had been offered a genuine role connected to the PMO. His lawyer said the visit to the mall was private and had nothing to do with the Prime Minister’s event.
The claim has not been verified by investigators or accepted as a finding by the court. Police are examining the origin of the documents and the involvement of other suspected individuals.
Third Accused Sought as Crime Branch Investigates
The Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating the suspected impersonation and the circumstances surrounding the mall entry.
Police have identified Prathamesh Bagul as a third accused who had not been traced at the time of the remand hearing. The prosecution also told the court that investigators were searching for other people who may have been involved.
The inquiry is expected to examine the alleged appointment communications, the creation of the identity card and whether Parikh knowingly used a false document or was deceived into believing it was genuine.
An FIR has been registered at BKC police station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to the alleged conduct. The precise sections should be confirmed from the original FIR before publication.
The two arrested men remain accused, and the allegations will be tested through the judicial process.
Why the Correction to the PM Security Narrative Matters
The timing and location of the incident led several initial reports to connect it with Prime Minister Modi’s scheduled visit to the nearby Jio World Centre.
Mumbai Police have since explicitly stated that the incident was unrelated to the Prime Minister’s event. It took place at Jio World Plaza on September 7, while the Global Fintech Fest inauguration was scheduled for September 8.
There is no verified evidence that the accused attempted to approach the Prime Minister, enter his security enclosure or disrupt his programme.
The case remains serious because it involves an allegedly false government identity card, disputed firearm authorisation and possible impersonation of a public servant. Those issues can be reported without presenting the incident as an attempted attack or breach of the Prime Minister’s security.
What Is Government Identity Impersonation?
Government identity impersonation occurs when someone falsely represents themselves as a public official, often using fabricated identity cards, appointment letters or other documents to gain trust or access.
Such documents may be used to enter restricted areas, obtain benefits or persuade others that the holder has official authority.
A person who receives an appointment offer should independently verify it through the relevant government department. Official-looking letterheads, signatures and email addresses are not sufficient proof of authenticity.
In this case, the central question remains whether Parikh knowingly used a false identity or was himself misled by the people who allegedly supplied the documents.
https://www.linkedin.com/company/policetechnology/
