Two detained after gun, fake PMO ID found at PM Modi event venue

Two men were detained by Mumbai Police after a security scare at the venue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled event in Mumbai, with one allegedly carrying a fake Prime Minister's Office (PMO) identity card and the other's bodyguard found with a gun.

The incident took place late Monday night during a security protocol drill at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), where Modi was scheduled to inaugurate the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026 on Tuesday.

Two detained after suspicious movement at venue

According to police, a man was noticed moving suspiciously inside the event venue during the security exercise. He was detained along with his bodyguard, who was found carrying a firearm.

The man was identified as 24-year-old Rohan Parekh. Police said Parekh claimed to be an official from the PMO, but checks revealed that the identity card he was carrying was allegedly fake.

Mumbai Police said that two people had been detained in connection with the incident and that a gun was recovered from one of them. Police also said the weapon was licensed.

In a statement, police said three men allegedly used a suspicious government identity card and forced their way, armed with a firearm, past mall security into Jio World Plaza in BKC. An FIR has been registered in the matter.

Police stressed that the incident occurred on Monday and was not connected to Modi's visit to Mumbai on Tuesday.

The detentions triggered a security alert hours before the Prime Minister's arrival at the venue.

Crime Branch takes over probe

Mumbai Police is questioning the two detained men to establish why they entered the venue with a firearm and allegedly used fake identity documents.

The Mumbai Crime Branch has taken over the investigation in view of the seriousness of the incident. Police are also examining the suspects' mobile phones, identity documents and other belongings as part of the probe. Further legal action will be taken after the allegations are verified during the investigation.

The incident comes amid heightened security arrangements for Modi's scheduled appearance at the Global Fintech Fest.

Modi to inaugurate Global Fintech Fest 2026

Modi is scheduled to inaugurate Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai on Tuesday. The four-day event is being held from September 8 to 11 at the Jio World Centre and Trident BKC.

The official GFF website lists this year's theme as "Potential to Impact: Agentic AI, Tokenisation, Quantum - Trusted, Connected, Global Systems for Inclusive Finance." The conference will focus on emerging technologies and their role in shaping the future of finance, including agentic artificial intelligence, tokenisation and quantum technology.

The inaugural session on September 8 is restricted to select guests with special invitations, while other sessions and the expo from September 9 to 11 are open to registered GFF pass holders.

The Global Fintech Fest is described by its organisers as a major international platform bringing together policymakers, regulators, central bankers, financial institutions, technology companies, startups and investors from around the world.