Lured with US visa, media job, Nepali national nabbed for espionage

The Delhi Police Special Cell busted an espionage module with the arrest of a Nepali national who was engaged in supplying Indian SIM cards to operatives of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), an official said on Tuesday.

The police said the accused has been identified as Prabhat Kumar (43). He was lured by the ISI with the promise of a US visa and opportunities in journalism field abroad. In return, he was tasked with supplying Indian SIM cards and collecting information related to the DRDO and Army establishments.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Eastern range) Amit Kaushik, the action was followed after a secret information regarding the misuse of Indian mobile numbers by ISI operatives in Pakistan. Following this, an investigation was initiated.

After specific information, the accused was arrested from Vijay Block, Laxmi Nagar, East Delhi, on August 28, the cop added.

During sustained questioning, the accused revealed that he had procured 16 SIM cards using his Aadhaar credentials and sent them to Nepal, of which 11 SIMs were being operated on WhatsApp from Lahore, Bahawalpur and other parts of Pakistan by ISI operatives, Kaushik mentioned. These SIMs were being used from across the border for espionage and other anti-India activities through social media platforms.

The investigation also revealed that the accused came in contact with ISI handlers in 2024 through a Nepali intermediary.

Using his Aadhaar card registered at Latur, Maharashtra, he procured SIM cards from telecom stores in Bihar and Maharashtra. After activation, these SIMs were smuggled to Kathmandu, Nepal, through conduits and were subsequently handed over to ISI handlers. WhatsApp account registered on these SIMs were operated from Pakistan to establish contact with Indian Army personnel and to pursue other sensitive espionage objectives.

The accused used to work in the pharmaceutical sector across Pune, Latur, Solapur, and Delhi as a medical representative and area sales manager. He set up Neo Terminal & Logistics Company Pvt Ltd, Kathmandu, Nepal, which was shut due to heavy financial losses in 2017.

After this, he came in contact with ISI operatives in Kathmandu. Out of desperation to go abroad, he not only agreed to supply Indian SIM cards but also agreed to collect sensitive Indian defence-related information for ISI operatives.