NEW DELHI: The National Investigative Agency (NIA) decided to target Aman Salim Sheikh who is a resident of Mumbai city and the main accused in the conspiracy case of Pakistani intelligence agents. An official statement on Friday said the purpose was to collect secret information about defense agencies.
The counter-terrorism agency on Thursday filed supplementary charges against him at a special court in Visakhapatnam. The charges were filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Some other facts discovered during the investigation included that Shaikh had been instrumental in activating SIM cards which were used by Pakistani intelligence officers involved in this scam. A case number 04/2021 was registered with Counter Intelligence cell, Vijayawada on January 12, 2021, based on a credible information received regarding commission of offences punishable under various sections of IPC & UAPA.
The NIA took over the case on June 5, 2020. During investigation it was revealed that Sheikh was working for Usman whom he introduced as his suspected handler from Pakistan.
He has been receiving money from other suspected handlers working for ISI. Other such individuals include Meer Balaj Khan and Alven, who obtained funds through cryptocurrency channels. They paid for work assigned by Pakistani intelligence agencies.
Both Khan and Alvin are Pakistanis nationals and presently absconding
On November 6 last year, NIA submitted Supplementary charge sheet against two more accused namely Manmohan Surendra Panda and Alven. Earlier also Surendra Panda was apprehended for leaking classified defense information to agents of ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence agency
(Based on input from each agency)
