Officials who helped conman Patel in Srinagar yet to face action
access; and if any accountability had been fixed on those top officials in the police department who gave him security cover without any proper verification.
No response was received from the LG’S office until the time this report went to press.
Officials with the central intelligence agencies monitoring the developments in Kashmir said that it was beyond “shocking” that Patel fooled the police administration in the valley for so long.
“Questions need to be asked to the state administration, which includes IAS and IPS officers posted in the region. If nothing, this is at least a reflection of the incompetence of the officials who provided him with government
paid five-star hotel accommodation, the security cover of bulletproof vehicles and took him on tours to sensitive locations, in the mistaken belief that they would thus get a positive review from the PMO and get better postings,” an official source said.
Patel was arrested on 2 March from Srinagar, but the news was made public on 17 March. Patel even “toured” the Line of Control at the Uri sector—a trip that was facilitated by top state police officials. What has created concern among the security agencies in Delhi is that despite Patel sharing his bravado on social media, none of the state agencies were able to catch him. He was arrested only after inputs were shared with the Kashmir-based officials by Delhi.
According to sources, whether or not to provide security and what level of security should be provided is decided by the police administration. The bill for Patel’s stay at the five-star hotel was paid by the state officials.