Rohan Parekh Arrest: Lawyer Claims Accused Was Duped by Fake PMO Offer Letters Ahead of PM Narendra Modi's Mumbai Visit

Rohan Parekh, the 24-year-old man arrested for allegedly using a forged Prime Minister's Office (PMO) identity card to enter the Jio World Plaza in Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), may have been the victim of a sophisticated fraud rather than acting as a deliberate imposter, his legal counsel told a Mumbai court on Tuesday, September 8. A local court remanded Parekh to police custody until September 11 as the Mumbai Crime Branch deepens its investigation into the security breach.

Defence Claims Victimhood and Elaborate Ruse

During court proceedings, Parekh’s defence lawyer argued that his client genuinely believed he was associated with the PMO after receiving convincing official-looking communications, reports India Today. Security Breach at PM Narendra Modi's Mumbai Event As Police Detain Man Posing As PMO Official With Armed Bodyguard.

Rohan Parekh Sent To Police Custody Till September 11

The two arrested accused have been identified as Rohan Premal Parikh (24) and Dilip Raja Kunde (49). They have been sent to Police custody till September 11. https://t.co/SqIWIn9RIe

— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2026

According to the defence, Parekh was approached by an individual named Tarun Kapoor, who offered him a role linked to the PMO. The lawyer stated that Parekh subsequently received an offer letter, a document purportedly signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an email concerning the "Defence Acquisition Policy" from someone named Tarun Gupta, and correspondence originating from an "Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister". The lawyer emphasised that the alleged PMO identity card was never provided in physical form, but was instead sent to Parekh solely as a digital screenshot.

Furthermore, the defence claimed that Parekh - who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Science - had appointed a personal bodyguard back in 2024 following directives he believed were authentic. Explaining his presence at the high-security venue on Monday, September 7, the defence stated that Parekh had entered the premises for personal reasons - specifically to purchase perfume for his fiancée due to a back issue - and cooperated fully with authorities upon being questioned. Investigators were told that Parekh has already handed over all digital communications and contact details for verification.

Background of the BKC Security Incident

The case came to light on Monday, September 7, when Parekh’s bodyguard, Dilip Kunde, was stopped at the venue's entrance during a Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMD) check while carrying a firearm. Kunde contacted Parekh, who returned to the entrance and presented a digital screenshot identifying himself as a Grade C PMO official. Security personnel flagged several critical discrepancies on the card, including the presence of an issue date without a validity period and an issuer's signature lacking any official designation. Bhupen Hazarika’s 100th Birth Anniversary: PM Narendra Modi Pays Tributes to Legendary Singer.

While the firearm carried by the bodyguard was found to be legally licensed, police registered an FIR at the BKC police station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to impersonation and unlawful entry while armed. Mumbai Police have maintained that Monday’s incident - which occurred a day prior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled inauguration of the Global Fintech Fest 2026 at the adjacent Jio World Centre -  had no connection to the Prime Minister's official itinerary. Authorities have arrested two individuals in connection with the breach and are actively searching for at least one other wanted suspect.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 08, 2026 06:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).