Man arrested over fake PMO ID card seeks bail, says no one was harmed

Rohan Parekh, who was arrested for using a fake Prime Minister's Office (PMO) identity card to enter Jio World Plaza in Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), has sought bail, arguing that the prohibitory orders in place ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit were not sufficiently published or promulgated as required by law.

Parekh was arrested after an incident at the mall on September 7, a day before PM Modi's scheduled event at the adjoining Jio World Centre. He was later sent to judicial custody after his police custody ended.

In his bail plea, filed through advocate Satish Maneshinde, Parekh's defence argued that even if the FIR is taken at face value, there is no allegation attributing any malicious intent or overt act to him. The plea said that while Parekh was found in possession of and accused of creating certain false documents, there was no allegation that the documents were used for any unlawful or oblique purpose.

The plea further argued that no harm, prejudice or injury was caused to any person, according to the prosecution's own case.

PROHIBITORY ORDERS NOT SUFFICIENTLY PUBLISHED, PLEA SAYS

The prosecution has alleged that Parekh entered the mall along with co-accused Dilip Kunde, who was carrying a licensed firearm, when prohibitory orders were in place.

However, Parekh's bail plea argued that he was unaware of the orders as they had not been sufficiently published and promulgated as required by law.

The plea said CCTV footage seized by investigators would corroborate that Parekh had visited the mall a day before the Prime Minister's scheduled visit to the adjoining venue and that his visit was for personal reasons.

According to the plea, Parekh was unaware of any other function that was scheduled to take place at the adjoining venue and his presence did not result in any untoward incident or cause harm to anyone.

PAREKH SAYS HE WAS THERE FOR PERSONAL REASONS

Parekh's defence had earlier told the court that he visited Jio World Plaza to buy perfume for his fiance. His lawyer had also said that Parekh had a back problem and left the venue after making the purchase.

According to police, Parekh said he did so to impress his family and make them believe he was working for a “worthy cause”.

The case came to light after Kunde, who was accompanying Parekh, was stopped at the mall's entrance when a firearm was detected during a security check. Parekh then returned to the entrance and showed security personnel an identity card purportedly issued by the PMO.

The card identified him as a Grade C PMO official, but police found discrepancies, including the absence of a validity date and the lack of a designation for the purported issuer. Kunde's firearm was later found to be licensed.

Police later arrested Parekh and Kunde, while another accused, Prathamesh Bagul, remained wanted.

DEFENCE EARLIER CLAIMED HE MAY HAVE BEEN DUPED

Parekh's lawyer had earlier told the court that his client may have genuinely believed he had been offered a role linked to the PMO and could himself have been the victim of fraud.

The defence claimed Parekh had received an offer letter, an identity card in the form of a screenshot and other official-looking communications, including a purported letter signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and an email allegedly sent by an Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister. The lawyer said Parekh had handed over the documents and communications to investigators for verification.

However, police later told the court that Parekh had confessed to fabricating the PMO identity card and related documents using AI. Police also said data extracted from his phone showed search history linked to drafting PMO correspondence.

The police have been examining the seized electronic devices and probing whether the forged documents or identity card were used elsewhere.

MEDICAL CONDITION, CAREER ALSO CITED

The bail plea said 24-year-old Parekh suffers from certain medical issues. It also described him as a bright student and argued that his professional growth would suffer if he remained in detention.

A Mumbai court will hear arguments on Parekh's bail plea on September 17.