Rohan Parekh, arrested for allegedly using a suspicious PMO identity card to enter Jio World Plaza in Mumbai’s BKC, may himself have been duped into believing he genuinely worked for the Prime Minister’s Office, his lawyer told a court on Tuesday.
A Mumbai court remanded Parekh to police custody till September 11 after he was arrested in connection with Monday’s incident at the BKC venue. The case surfaced after his “bodyguard,” Dilip Kunde, was stopped at the entrance while allegedly carrying a firearm, prompting security personnel to question Parekh’s identity.
Mumbai Police said the incident occurred on Monday, a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to the Jio World Centre in BKC, and has no connection to the Prime Minister’s visit to Mumbai on Tuesday.
What Police Said on the Security Breach
According to police, Parekh had entered the venue while preparations for an event were underway. Kunde, in his mid-40s, arrived later carrying a firearm but was stopped during a Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMD) check.
Kunde then contacted Parekh, following which Parekh returned to the entrance and showed his identity card to security personnel. Police said the card identified Parekh as a Grade C official of the PMO, but several discrepancies raised suspicion. It carried a date of issue but no validity date something police said is normally mentioned on government-issued identity cards. The card also bore the issuer’s signature but did not mention the issuer’s designation.
Also Read:PM Modi Inaugrates A Crucial 150-Kilometer Section Of The Vadodara-Mumbai expressway.
The Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating the case, and CCTV footage from the venue is being examined. Police said another person is wanted in connection with the case.
Defence Claims Parekh May Have Been ‘Conned’
During the court hearing, Parekh’s lawyer argued that his client may have genuinely believed he had been offered a role linked to the PMO and could himself be the victim of fraud.
The lawyer told the court that a person identified as Tarun Kapoor had offered Parekh a role to work for the PMO. He also claimed Parekh was offered an advisory role involving Mahak Gupta and had received an email concerning the “Defence Acquisition Policy” from a person identified as Tarun Gupta.
According to the defence, Parekh received an offer letter, an identity card and a letter purportedly signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also allegedly received an email from an Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister. The lawyer argued that these communications appeared genuine to Parekh and led him to believe he was legitimately associated with the PMO.
The defence said Parekh had handed over all documents and communications in his possession to the investigating officer and had also submitted his contacts to the PMO for verification.
ID Card Only Sent as Screenshot, Says Lawyer
The defence further claimed that Parekh had never received a physical copy of the alleged PMO identity card. Instead, the card was sent to him as a screenshot, which he relied upon. The defence reiterated that Parekh had received multiple communications that appeared official, including the offer letter, the purported letter signed by the Prime Minister and an email allegedly sent by an “Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister.”
The lawyer said Parekh had handed over all the documents and communications available with him to the investigating officer and had also submitted his contacts to the PMO for verification.
‘He Was Directed to Appoint a Bodyguard’
The defence also claimed that Parekh had a personal bodyguard since 2024 and had been instructed to appoint one from December that year. His lawyer said Parekh, who holds a BSc in Mathematics and Science, followed the directions because he believed the communications he was receiving were genuine.
The defence maintained that Parekh had not knowingly impersonated a government official and may have acted on instructions from someone who had misled him about his purported association with the PMO.
‘Parekh Visited Venue to Buy Perfume for Fiancé’
The defence also explained Parekh’s presence at the venue, saying he had gone there a day before the Prime Minister’s scheduled visit for personal work. According to his lawyer, Parekh has a back problem and had entered the premises to purchase perfume for his fiancé. He later left the venue and cooperated with authorities when called for questioning, the lawyer said.
Bodyguard’s Firearm Found to Be Licensed
Police said the firearm carried by Kunde was found to be licensed. Two people have been arrested in the case, while another person is wanted.
The Crime Branch is probing the circumstances in which the suspicious government identity card was obtained and used, the role of the accused, and the purpose behind attempting to enter the premises with the firearm.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Global Fintech Fest 2026 at the Jio World Centre in BKC on Tuesday and address the gathering. However, Mumbai Police has categorically stated that Monday’s security incident was not connected to the Prime Minister’s visit.
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