In a significant verdict concerning national security, the special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Visakhapatnam delivered a judgment on Tuesday, sentencing a key accused involved in a sophisticated Pakistan-led espionage conspiracy. The case centered on the fraudulent utilization of mobile SIM cards and the deliberate misuse of social media platforms to compromise India's defense mechanisms.
Guilty Plea and Court Sentencing
The accused, identified as Altafhusen Ghanchibhai, who also goes by the alias Shakil, pleaded guilty during the ongoing trial proceedings. This development occurred after the prosecution had already examined a total of 37 witnesses, building a robust case against him. The court convicted Ghanchibhai for misusing unique identification features, which included SIM cards, One-Time Passwords (OTPs), and various social media platforms.
As part of the sentencing, the court awarded simple imprisonment of 5 years and 6 months along with a fine of ₹5,000 under Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Additionally, he received a sentence of 2.5 years with a fine of ₹5,000 under Section 66C of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The court ordered that these sentences run concurrently, meaning the maximum term of imprisonment will be 5.5 years.
Details of the Cross-Border Espionage Conspiracy
The investigation revealed a meticulously planned cross-border conspiracy that exploited Indian SIM cards belonging to fishermen who had been arrested by the Pakistan Navy on the high seas. Upon their arrest, the fishermen's mobile phones and SIM cards were seized. These SIM cards were later activated by the accused within India to facilitate espionage activities.
Modus Operandi of the Accused
According to the NIA's findings, Ghanchibhai inserted the seized SIM cards into his personal handset. He then generated One-Time Passwords (OTPs) and shared them with Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). This critical step enabled the operation of Indian WhatsApp numbers directly from Pakistan, bypassing standard security protocols.
The compromised WhatsApp numbers were subsequently used by PIOs to contact Indian defense personnel under fake identities. The operatives sought sensitive and restricted information, posing a severe threat to India's unity, integrity, and sovereignty. This method of cyber-enabled espionage highlighted vulnerabilities in digital communication channels.
NIA's Commitment to National Security
Following the verdict, the NIA reiterated its unwavering commitment to countering cyber-enabled and cross-border espionage activities. The agency emphasized its dedication to bringing offenders to justice and safeguarding national security from such covert threats. This case underscores the ongoing challenges posed by foreign intelligence agencies and the importance of robust investigative mechanisms.
The sentencing serves as a stern warning to those involved in espionage against India, demonstrating the legal consequences of compromising national security through digital means.
