Mumbai: The Marine Drive Police have arrested five persons, including clerks and peons, for allegedly preparing fake entry passes to Vidhan Bhavan during the budget session using forged letters purportedly issued by the Industries Department.
The accused were identified as:
Dattatraya Keshav Gunjal (53) – private individual who forged a pass claiming to be an advisor to the Chief Minister’s office with his photo and Mantralaya stamp.
Ganpat Bhau Jawale (50) – peon
Nagesh Shivaji Patil (42) – peon
Manoj Ananda Morbale (40) – clerk
Swapnil Ramesh Tayde (40) – clerk
The investigation revealed that the group conspired to create forged letters in the name of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and issued around 30 fake session passes for financial gain, charging between Rs 2,000–5,000 per pass. Requisitions were submitted to the G-1 (General Branch) Room of the Maharashtra Legislative Secretariat for entry of officers and employees, exploiting a major security lapse.
The scam came to light after Industries Minister Uday Samant raised concerns over fake passes. The inquiry found that personnel associated with the state legislature were preparing forged letterheads for various departments. Two other Mantralaya employees, Mahesh Dumpalwar and Lavesh Shankar Nakate, remain at large.
Police said a constable attached to Local Arms was also questioned in connection with the matter. All five arrested were taken into custody late on March 25, and their mobile phones have been seized for forensic examination. Special teams have been formed to trace the remaining accused and identify recipients of the fake passes.
