Mumbai: Passes worth lakhs faked for BJP MP’s Garba event

The bash at Kalidas Ground in Mulund West. Pics/Rajesh Gupta

The Mulund police have filed an FIR against an unknown individual or group responsible for counterfeiting and distributing 225 fake passes for BJP MP Manoj Kotak's Prerna Raas Garba 2023 event, which were subsequently sold to unsuspecting attendees at remarkably low prices. The incident came to light when the crowd at Kalidas Ground on PK Road in Mulund West suddenly swelled, prompting the event organisers to scrutinise their passes. Upon examining their QR codes, they discovered around fake passes worth Rs 4 lakh in total.

The event management team believes that an unknown party duplicated the original passes and introduced these counterfeits into circulation. Ajay Trivedi, the president of the Garba event, had contracted Gargote's event management company to provide various services, including setting up the stage, sound and lighting systems and providing security, bouncers, canteen services and gate staff responsible for pass verification.

Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis felicitates the MHB Colony police team at Kinjal Dave's Garba event

Only 4,000 season passes and 1,000 daily passes were printed, in distinct colours, with the former priced at Rs 1,800 and the latter at Rs 300. According to police officials, on October 12, a pass-selling counter was set up outside the venue. However, it was on October 15 when Navratri festivities commenced at Kalidas Natyagruh temple ground on PK Road sudden increase in the crowd was observed, specifically on October 17-18.

Vishal Malhari Gargote, 32, the event manager and complainant, explained, "The sudden surge in attendance on October 17-18 prompted us to initiate pass checks on October 19 using a QR code scanner. The management decided not to admit individuals with fake passes. On October 19, we identified fake passes with barcode numbers PR2023-0001 to PR2023-0070, and on October 20, more counterfeit passes were uncovered. In total, we discovered 225 fake passes with a combined value of Rs 4,05,000. We promptly reported the matter to the Mulund police, leading to the registration of the FIR."

"We found that someone had duplicated the original passes and sold them at a reduced rate," Gargote added. Senior Inspector Kantilal Kothimbare from Mulund police station stated, "We have registered an FIR against the unknown culprits for counterfeiting and selling passes. They have been charged under Indian Penal Code Sections 420, 465, 467, 468 and 471."

Gang busted in related incident

The MHB Colony police has apprehended a gang of four individuals responsible for distributing fake passes worth R36 lakh for events in Borivli West organised by MLA Sunil Rane titled Rangratri Dandiya with Kinjal Dave and Durgadevi Navratri Utsav Samiti. Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis felicitated Senior Inspector Sudhir Kudalkar, PSI Dr Dipak Hinde, PSI Mangesh Kirpekar and PSI Mukesh Kharat of the MHB Colony police on October 21 at the Kinjal Dave Garba event.