Gujarat ATS Arrests Congress Leader’s Son in Fake Passport Case
Investigators say Harikesh Pranav Patel paid Rs 25 lakh for a second passport and used it to travel abroad despite a pending money-laundering case.
- The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad arrested Harikesh Pranav Patel, son of Gujarat Mahila Congress State President Gita Patel, near Science City on September 12 for allegedly operating a fake passport racket.
- Harikesh already held a Gujarat-issued passport, but it remained deposited with the court due to an ongoing 2023 money laundering case related to the "Powerbank app," prompting him to seek a second document.
- According to the ATS investigation, Harikesh contacted a Delhi-based agent and allegedly paid Rs 25 lakh to arrange the new passport using a fabricated rental agreement showing residence in Agra.
- Subsequently, he filed a false complaint with the Delhi Crime Branch claiming his original passport was lost, then used the fraudulent document to travel to Bangkok, Dubai, Singapore, Bhutan, and Nepal.
- Although Harikesh had initially secured anticipatory bail, investigators later succeeded in getting the relief cancelled; he faces charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Passports Act with a history of two previous cases.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Gujarat man surrendered passport in ED case, then got another one with fake papers
The Gujarat ATS arrested Harikesh Patel after alleging he obtained a second passport with forged papers despite surrendering one in an ED-linked case. The case has widened into a probe under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Passports Act over alleged efforts to evade arrest and travel abroad.
Former member of Patidar stir held for fake passport
Harikesh Patel, a former member of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), has been arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) for allegedly obtaining a second passport using forged documents. Patel had previously surrendered his original passport in connection with an ED money laundering case. He reportedly used the fraudulently obtained passport for international travel.
Harikesh was an accused in the 2022 ED money laundering case and his original passport was submitted to the court. His bail order was later revoked by the ED.
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