Mumbai: Mumbai Police arrested two persons on Tuesday for allegedly posing as a PMO official and his armed bodyguard near the venue of the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026, hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to inaugurate the event.
The incident occurred at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), where the four-day Global Fintech Fest is being held from September 8 to 11.
According to police officials, 24-year-old Rohan Parekh, who was carrying a purported PMO identity card, and another man posing as his bodyguard were moving suspiciously around the high-security venue. The alleged bodyguard was reportedly carrying a firearm.
Fake PMO Identity Card Raises Alarm
Security personnel became suspicious of the duo and subsequently verified Parekh’s identity documents. The Mumbai Crime Branch reportedly confirmed that the PMO identity card was fake, following which a security alert was sounded.
The development prompted authorities to intensify security arrangements not only at the event venue but also at key locations across Mumbai, including the airport.
Police questioned both men regarding their presence at the high-security venue and their alleged attempt to gain access by posing as officials connected to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Crime Branch Probes Possible Conspiracy
The Mumbai Crime Branch has taken up the investigation to determine the motive behind the alleged security breach and whether the two suspects were acting alone or as part of a larger conspiracy.
Investigators have reportedly seized the mobile phones of both accused and are examining their Call Detail Records (CDRs) to establish their movements, contacts and possible links with other individuals.
Authorities are also probing how the suspects managed to reach the venue while carrying an alleged fake official identity card and a firearm.
PM Modi to Inaugurate Global Fintech Fest 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to inaugurate Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai on Tuesday evening.
The four-day event, now in its seventh edition, has emerged since 2020 as an international platform bringing together policymakers, regulators, central banks, financial institutions, fintech companies, technology firms, investors and academia to discuss the future of finance.
The theme of GFF 2026 is “Potential to Impact: Agentic AI, Tokenisation, Quantum – Trusted, Connected, Global Systems for Inclusive Finance.”
The conference will focus on emerging technologies such as Agentic AI, programmable finance and quantum technologies, with discussions centred on developing trusted, inclusive and measurable financial solutions for citizens, businesses and economies worldwide.
