Former officer links current BKC security breach to 2023 incident involving army man

A retired assistant commissioner, formerly with the State Intelligence Special Branch, highlighted a similarity between a recent attempt by a resident and his guard to enter Jio World Plaza in BKC and a case he handled in 2023. On Jan 19, 2023, an army serviceman used a genuine NSG card that had been tampered with, along with a fake duty pass, to get near Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration of metro lines at the MMRDA ground in BKC.

Police registered an FIR on Jan 20, 2023, and filed a chargesheet within 90 days, though the trial remains pending. The officer said the army man’s motive was simply to see the prime minister, as he was a fan, and he was on official leave visiting his home in Navi Mumbai where his wife was expecting a child. He was released on bail the following day. The same couple later attended Modi’s 2024 affordable housing inauguration in Navi Mumbai with a proper invitation pass.