Delhi High Court imposes ₹35k fine on man who posed as PMO official to get VIP temple darshan, government vehicle

The Delhi High Court recently imposed a fine of ₹35,000 on a man named Vivek Keshavan accused of representing himself an official working with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and seeking facilities like temple darshans, government accommodation and cars [Vivek Keshavan v Central Bureau of Investigation]..Justice Navin Chawla imposed the costs on Keshavan while dealing with his plea against the trial court order framing charges against him for offences under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) read with 419 (cheating by impersonation) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).“Accordingly, I find no merit in the present petition. The same is dismissed. The petitioner shall pay costs of ₹35,000/-, to be deposited with the Delhi State Legal Services Authority within a period of two weeks. The costs so deposited shall be utilised by the Delhi State Legal Services Authority for providing counselling/psychological support to the POCSO Victims requiring such assistance,” the Court ordered..According to the allegations, Keshavan and one Pramod Kumar Singh had made calls to several government officials posted at Pondicherry and Andhra Pradesh’s Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Board.In these calls, Singh posed as Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office and asked for government vehicles as well as accommodation and darshan facilities. He told the officials that one Vivek K (Keshavan) would be visiting these locations and that facilities are needed for him too.Keshavan argued that he had no role in the scam as his name and number were used by Singh for availing various facilities from the government and he (Keshavan) never himself called anyone asking for these favours.He said that he has not received any material gain from the alleged acts.Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) contended that there was clear allegation and also evidence of the government officials calling up the phone number of the petitioner (Keshavan) to confirm if he is visiting Pondicherry, and also regarding the services to be availed by him.He was provided a vehicle at Pondicherry. Even his stay was arranged at the Government Hotel at Pondicherry, CBI said. .The Court considered the case and held that a prima facie case for framing of charges was made out and there was no infirmity in the trial court order."The submission of the learned counsel for the petitioner that merely because the co-accused has misused the name and the mobile phone number of the petitioner, the petitioner cannot be accused of the offence of impersonation, cannot be accepted, as in the present case, the prosecution also alleges that some of the Officers called back at the mobile number of the petitioner and the petitioner did not dispute that favour was being asked for him by the co-accused," Justice Chawla noted. Keshavan’s plea was, therefore, dismissed..Advocates Vishwendra Verma, Shivali and Archit Verma appeared for Vivek Keshavan.CBI was represented by its Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Prasanta Varma as well as advocates Pankaj Kumar, Pragya Verma and Rakesh Kumar Palo..[Read Judgment]