SIM CARDS, ILLEGALLY PROCURED IN INDIA, FOUND TO BE USED ON WHATSAPP FROM PAKISTANFORESPIONAGE OBJECTIVES
Face2News/New Delhi
The Eastern Range of Delhi Police Special Cell has successfully busted an espionage module with the arrest of a Nepali national who was engaged in supplying Indian SIM cards to operatives of Pakistan’s ISI. These SIMs were being used from across the border for espionage and other anti-India activities through social media platforms WhatsApp.
On the basis of inputs received from secret sources regarding misuse of Indian mobile numbers by ISI operatives in Pakistan, a dedicated team of Special Cell (Eastern Range) led by Inspector Rahul Kumar and InspectorVineetKumarTewatiaundertheclose direction of ACP Kailash Singh Bisht mounted human intelligence. On 28.08.2025, specific information was received that one individual associated with ISI handlers was present in Vijay Block, Laxmi Nagar, Delhi. Acting swiftly, the team apprehended the suspect, who was later identified as Prabhat Kumar Chaurasiya (43 years), s/o Bishwanath Prasad, r/o Birganj, Nepal.
During sustained questioning, the accused revealed that he had procured 16 SIM cards (Airtel and JIO) using his Aadhaar credentials & sent to Nepal, of which 11 SIMs were being operated on WhatsApp from Lahore, Bahawalpur and other parts of Pakistan by ISI operatives.
RECOVERY:
• Digital devices containing incriminating material • Multiple SIM cards envelopes
MODUS OPERANDI: The investigation has revealed that the accused came into contact with ISI handlers in 2024 through a Nepali intermediary. He was lured with promises of a U.S. visa and opportunities in journalism abroad. In return, he was tasked with supplying Indian SIM cards and collecting information related to DRDO and Army establishments.
In Kathmandu, accused came into contact with ISI operatives. 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. Further investigation is in progress to trace his associates, identify the courier network, and apprehend the foreign handlers who orchestrated this espionage module, said Mr.Amit Kaushik, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell (Eastern Range), Delhi
Using his Aadhaar card registered at Latur, Maharashtra, he procured SIM cards from telecom stores in Bihar and Maharashtra. These SIMs after activation 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.
KNOW THE ACCUSED: Prabhat Kumar Chaurasiya was born in 1982 in Nepal in a modest family. He completed his matriculation in Nepal, pursued intermediate studies in Motihari, Bihar and later obtained a B.Sc. degree in Information Technology along with a diploma in computer hardware and networking. Professionally, he worked in the pharmaceutical sector across Pune, Latur, Solapur, and Delhi as a Medical Representative and Area Sales Manager. In 2017, he set up Neo Terminal & Logistics Company Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu, Nepal which collapsed due to heavy financial losses.
In Kathmandu, he came into contact with ISI operatives. 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.
Police registered a case at PS Special Cell, Delhi under Sections 61(2)/152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Further investigation is in progress to trace his associates, identify the courier network, and apprehend the foreign handlers who orchestrated this espionage module, said Mr.Amit Kaushik, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell (Eastern Range), Delhi