Rajasthan's CID Intelligence wing has arrested Rafiq Chand Sheikh, a resident of Aurangabad in Maharashtra, in connection with an alleged funding network linked to Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI. Investigators say Sheikh has been channelling money to an ISI-linked espionage network for close to four years. He was arrested on June 30 and is being produced before a court, where the agency is expected to seek his remand.
How investigators zeroed in on Sheikh
According to Additional Director General of CID Intelligence Praful Kumar, the arrest stems from leads uncovered during the investigation of an earlier espionage case. That case had already led to the arrest of Jhabra Ram, a resident of Jaisalmer, and Sumit Kumar, who was posted as an MTS at the Dibrugarh Airforce Station in Assam. Both are accused of allegedly passing confidential information related to the Indian Army to ISI handlers. Investigators suspect Sheikh formed the financial link that kept this network running and helped conceal the real source of the money.
Money moved through a web of bank accounts
CID Intelligence found that the payments made in return for the alleged espionage activity never went directly to the accused. Instead, Rafiq Chand Sheikh allegedly acted as an intermediary, transferring funds through various bank accounts to keep the real trail of the transactions hidden. During questioning, he reportedly admitted to being in touch with an ISI handler over social media for close to four years, receiving instructions through that channel and carrying out the fund transfers accordingly. The investigation also found that he had opened multiple bank accounts, not just in his own name but also in the names of other individuals, and allegedly used these accounts to route money to people involved in the espionage activities.
Phone, social media and documents sent for forensic examination
The scrutiny of bank accounts, financial transactions and digital evidence has thrown up several significant leads connected to the alleged funding network. Sheikh's mobile phone, social media accounts, electronic devices and other documents are being examined forensically to identify others linked to the network. Based on the preliminary evidence, CID Intelligence has arrested Rafiq Chand Sheikh, treating him as an alleged ISI funding agent. A detailed investigation is currently underway into other bank accounts, suspicious financial transactions, social media contacts and possible associates. CID Intelligence believes that further important disclosures could emerge once the full layers of the network are uncovered.
Court grants six days of police remand
Rafiq Chand Sheikh was produced before a court on Thursday. Rajasthan Intelligence had arrested him from Maharashtra on June 30. Police had sought seven days of remand for questioning, but the court granted six days of police custody. He will now be produced before the court again on July 7. The intelligence team is continuing to dig into bank transactions, digital evidence and potential associates to map out the entire funding network.
