Mumbai PMO Fake ID Case: Businessman Admits Using ChatGPT to Forge Credentials, Police Tell Court

Five days after his arrest for allegedly using a fake Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) identity card to gain entry to Jio World Plaza in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), 24-year-old businessman Rohan Parikh told a magistrate court that he had created the forged credentials using ChatGPT, police said on Friday.

The security breach occurred a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to inaugurate the Global Fintech Fest 2026 at the nearby Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre.

According to the police remand application, Parikh allegedly admitted to creating the fake PMO identity card and other official-looking documents using ChatGPT since 2025. Police told the court that he allegedly did so “to elevate his social standing and boost his self-esteem within his family and social circles and also to impress them.”

Parikh and his associate Dilip Kunde, 49, a former Army personnel, were arrested after the security incident at Jio World Plaza. Investigators are now examining whether the forged credentials were used at other locations to gain access or obtain special privileges.

Fake PMO Documents Recovered

Police said a search of Parikh’s residence in Khar led to the recovery of several forged English-language documents purportedly linked to the PMO.

Investigators also examined his mobile phone and allegedly found searches related to drafting correspondence in the name of the Prime Minister’s Office, the court was told.

The incident came to light on September 7, when Parikh arrived at the mall around 4.50 pm with Kunde and a third associate, who remains absconding. Security arrangements had been tightened ahead of Modi’s scheduled visit the following day.

Security personnel reportedly stopped the group after noticing that Kunde was carrying a revolver. During the ensuing confrontation, Parikh allegedly claimed to be a PMO official and produced a digital identity card, which was later found to be fake.

Despite the confrontation, the three men briefly entered the mall, purchased a perfume and a wallet, and then left.

Investigators subsequently used CCTV footage and details of their vehicle to trace Parikh to Khar. Kunde was arrested separately.

Kunde, a retired Army man from Nashik, reportedly told investigators that the revolver was his personal weapon and that he had used it for commercial purposes while working as Parikh’s bodyguard.

Police noted that the firearm licence had been issued for Nashik Rural. Officers said the incident had no connection with Prime Minister Modi’s programme, despite the security concerns arising from its proximity to the scheduled venue.

Defence Claims Parikh Was Duped

The investigation took an unexpected turn when Parikh’s lawyers claimed that he himself may have been deceived into believing he had a connection with the PMO.

The defence told the court that a person using the name Tarun Gupta or Tarun Kapoor had contacted Parikh in 2024 and offered him an advisory role on defence policy.

According to the defence, the individual sent Parikh an offer letter, a digital identity card and correspondence purportedly signed by the Prime Minister.

Investigators, however, told the court that they had found no evidence supporting the alleged appointment or the purported communications.

Police are now examining whether Parikh’s explanation is genuine or whether it was an attempt to conceal the actual reason for creating or possessing the forged credentials.

Parikh, a Khar resident and share broker, studied in London and has a background in mathematics and science. Police are also examining his interest in drone technology as part of the wider investigation.

Court Sends Both Accused to Judicial Custody

On Friday, police sought further custody of Parikh and Kunde, citing the need to examine seized electronic devices, determine whether the forged credentials had been used elsewhere and trace the absconding associate.

Their lawyer, Satish Maneshinde, opposed the request, arguing that the accused had already admitted to preparing the documents and that their phones, laptop and other materials had been seized.

The court rejected the request for further police custody, holding that the grounds cited by investigators did not justify extending detention, and sent both accused to 14-day judicial custody.

Parikh and Kunde have since filed bail applications, arguing that their continued detention serves no purpose. The prosecution has been directed to file its response to the bail pleas by September 17.