Two people have been arrested after allegedly entering Jio World Plaza in Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex with a suspicious government identity card and a firearm, police said. The incident took place on September 7, a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's programme in Mumbai.
During the initial investigation, police found that Parekh had reached the venue on the night of September 7. Mumbai Police later clarified that the September 7 incident had no connection with Modi's visit on September 8. The firearm recovered from one of the men was also found to be licensed. A third accused, identified as Prathamesh Bagur, remains absconding.
Fake PMO ID found during security check
According to Mumbai Police, three men allegedly used a suspicious government ID card to get past mall security and enter Jio World Plaza in BKC, with one of them carrying a firearm.
Police arrested 24-year-old Rohan Parekh and his bodyguard, around 45-year-old Dilip Kunde, after noticing suspicious movement and carrying out checks. Parekh had identified himself as an official from the Prime Minister's Office, but the PMO identity card he was carrying was found to be fake.
A case was registered at BKC Police Station under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including provisions relating to impersonation of a public servant and unlawful entry while armed with a weapon.
Police said the firearm was licensed. They also clarified that although the incident happened at the venue a day before the Prime Minister's programme, it was not connected to his visit.
Third accused remains absconding
The third accused, Prathamesh Bagur, is said to be a friend of Parekh and remains on the run as the investigation continues.
Police are questioning the arrested men and examining their mobile phones, identity documents and other belongings as part of the probe into how they entered the venue and what led to the incident.
Accused claims he was misled over PMO link
During the court proceedings, Parekh's lawyer claimed that his client had received an email purportedly from the Additional Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office. The lawyer said the authenticity of the email had not yet been established.
Parekh also claimed that a man named Tarun had sent him a fake email in the name of the PMO.
The defence told the court that Parekh had visited the area around the venue a day earlier and had also purchased perfume from a mall. His lawyer argued that Parekh was himself a victim who had received misleading information in the name of the PMO.
The court also asked whether the accused was aware of the protocol for a PMO event.
Police probe why fake ID was created
The accused were brought before the court by the CIU unit. Parekh is a resident of Mumbai's Khar area, while his father has been identified as Premal Parekh. His family members were also present in court.
During the initial investigation, police found that Parekh had reached the venue on the previous night. Investigators are still trying to establish why he had a PMO identity card made.
The bodyguard accompanying him, Dilip Kunde, is around 45 years old. Police are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the men, the identity documents and their entry into the venue.
Both arrested accused have been sent to police custody until September 11.
PM Modi attends Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai
The Global Fintech Fest 2026 began at the NMACC in Mumbai on September 8 and will continue until September 11 under the theme, "Potential to Impact: Agentic AI, Tokenisation, Quantum - Trusted, Connected, Global Systems for Inclusive Finance." Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the event on September 8.
Mumbai Police has reiterated that the September 7 incident at Jio World Plaza had no connection with the Prime Minister's visit to Mumbai on September 8.
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