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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Court says if bail is granted at this stage, “it shall definitely destroy the very fabric of the investigation”
The bail application of Gujarat man Kiran Patel, who conned the security establishment in Jammu and Kashmir into believing him to be a PMO official and got the requisite perks prior to his arrest earlier this month, was dismissed by a court in Srinagar on Thursday.
Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Srinagar, Raja Mohammad Tasleem reserved his order after hearing arguments of Patel’s lawyer and the additional public prosecutor on Monday.
The magistrate found the bail application “devoid of any merit”.
“I am of the considered opinion that arguments advanced by APP are just, proper and appealing and carries much weight and on the other hand I respectfully disagree with the submission put forth by Counsel for the applicant (Patel) because in case at this stage discretion of bail is exercised in favour of the accused it shall definitely destroy the very fabric of the investigation,” the court said.
The judge observed,” “Resultantly, in my considered opinion the instant application is devoid of any merit which deserves to be rejected, hence rejected.”
Meanwhile, the police have ruled out any intelligence failure in the entire episode and blamed the field officers for the “lapse” with further avowal of action against those involved.
“There has been a proper FIR registered in this case. When Srinagar Police got information on March 2, a team headed by a senior IPS officer arrested him red-handed. Fake visiting cards were recovered,” additional DGP for Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said recently.
“Rigorous interrogation was done. He remained under police custody for 14 days. He is presently in judicial remand. He is in jail completely,” he had said, adding, “We are professionally carrying out an investigation. We are taking help from Gujarat police and nobody will be spared” Kumar added.
When asked about “clear cut” guidelines by the Union home ministry that no security should be given to anyone on verbal instructions, ADGP Kumar commented, “Police should not provide security to anyone on verbal instructions. We don’t. The mistake which has happened is being looked into and action will be taken against the officer who has given instructions.”
Patel posed as a man from Gujarat posted as an additional director (strategy and campaigns) in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and enjoyed many perks, including a bulletproof car and security cover besides other facilities.
The accused was on his third visit to the Valley when he was nabbed by security officials from a five-star hotel in Nishat area of Srinagar on March 2.
