MUMBAI: A 24-year-old man arrested on suspicion of posing as an official of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) near the Jio World Plaza and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in BKC has told investigators he used the artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT to create fake PMO credentials and official-looking documents since 2025, police said on Thursday.
Arrest, custody and immediate case details
Rohan Parikh and an accompanying private bodyguard, identified as Dilip Kunde, were taken into custody by Mumbai police after a confrontation with security staff at the luxury complex in South Mumbai ahead of an anticipated visit by the Prime Minister, according to the remand application placed before Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate D S Khedekar at Esplanade court.
The court refused the police's request for further custodial interrogation and remanded both accused to 14 days' judicial custody. Advocates for the accused have moved bail applications; the defence said the men had admitted fabricating the documents themselves and that no third party was involved, the court record shows.
Evidence recovered and lines of inquiry
During searches of Parikh's residence in Khar, investigators said they recovered a laptop, a hard drive and multiple documents bearing PMO-related formatting. Data extracted from Parikh's mobile phone allegedly showed web searches and query history connected to drafting PMO correspondence.
Police also said Kunde, a 49-year-old former Army personnel now working as a private security operative, was found in possession of a revolver. Investigators allege Kunde admitted the weapon was for personal use but that he had been undertaking security work commercially while accompanying Parikh.
"Parikh has confessed to fabricating the fake PMO ID and related official documents using ChatGPT since 2025 to elevate his social standing and boost his self-esteem within his family and social circles," police said in the remand application.
- Accused: Rohan Parikh (24), Dilip Kunde (49)
- Locations involved: Jio World Plaza (BKC), NMACC, Parikh's residence in Khar
- Items seized: laptop, hard drive, PMO-style documents, mobile phone; revolver from Kunde
Unanswered questions and continuing probe
Investigators told the court they needed time to examine electronic devices and establish whether the forged PMO identity card and documents had been used at any other locations. A third person who was with the duo, named in police records as Prathmesh Bagul, fled the scene and was being sought by police at the time of the hearing.
The Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU) indicated it would not seek further custody beyond the judicial remand until forensic analysis and device examinations were complete. The prosecution asked the court for time to file a detailed reply to the bail application; the matter is listed for further proceedings in September, according to court filings.
Local context and concerns
The incident has raised questions about the misuse of generative AI tools to forge official-looking documents and bypass security at high-profile venues in Mumbai. BKC and the Jio World Plaza complex host frequent visits by dignitaries and corporate events; security protocols at such locations are typically tightened around VIP movements.
| Detail | Reported |
|---|---|
| Alleged AI used | ChatGPT |
| Recovered from residence | Laptop, hard drive, PMO-format documents |
| Weapon recovered | Revolver from Kunde |
| Court | Esplanade court, ACJM D S Khedekar |
The case remains under investigation. Police officials said they will confirm further details once digital forensics and ballistic examinations are complete and the accused appear on the scheduled court dates.
