Indian SIM Cards and WhatsApp Used for Espionage for Pakistan; Accused Sentenced to Long Prison Term
A special NIA court has convicted and handed down a harsh sentence to an accused in a case involving espionage for Pakistan using Indian SIM cards and WhatsApp. The court considered the entire matter a serious crime related to the country’s national security.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court in Visakhapatnam convicted a key accused in a Pakistan-backed espionage conspiracy. The court found that the accused misused fraudulently obtained Indian mobile SIM cards, OTPs, and social media platforms to assist the intelligence agencies of an enemy country. The accused was sentenced to a total of 5 years and 6 months of simple imprisonment.
According to a TOI report, the NIA investigation revealed that the entire case was linked to an espionage network operating across the border. According to the investigating agency, the Pakistan Navy had apprehended Indian fishermen while they were fishing in the high seas and seized their mobile phones and SIM cards. These Indian SIM cards were later activated by the accused in India using his mobile phone, and the generated OTPs were sent to Pakistani intelligence agencies.
The investigation also proved that these OTPs were used to operate Indian WhatsApp numbers from Pakistan. These numbers were used by Pakistani intelligence operatives to contact individuals associated with Indian defense establishments using fake identities. Their objective was to obtain sensitive and confidential defense information, which was considered a direct threat to the unity, integrity, and national security of the country.
The accused confessed his guilt during the trial. The court sentenced him to 5 years and 6 months of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 5,000 under Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Additionally, he was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 5,000 under Section 66C of the IT Act, 2000. Both sentences will run concurrently. The court clearly stated in its judgment that strict action will be taken against those who compromise national security by using digital platforms and telecommunication resources.
