NEW DELHI: Delhi Police’s anti-terror unit has arrested a man suspected of allegedly trying to connect with an employee of India’s nuclear establishment (BARC) on behalf of Pakistan’s ISI.The arrest has set off a broader inquiry by central agencies into what officials suspect is a larger “nuclearespionage network” as the man was in contact with entities with links to Iran and Russia’s nuclear infrastructure, sources said.The suspect, identified as Adil Hussaini (59), had allegedly in the past sold “some nuclear-related design, procured from a Russianorigin scientist to an agent of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI),” said a source.
He was held in Delhi after his connections with his ISI handlers were allegedly exposed. An FIR has been registered in Delhi.
Hussaini, brother posed as BARC scientists
Hussaini’s brother was recently held in Mumbai. The siblings allegedly posed as scientists from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and had obtained fake identity cards. A Delhi Police spokesperson said, “The brothers have supplied sensitive information to foreign countries. We have registered a case and are probing further.” Additional commissioner (special cell) Pramod Kushwaha refused to comment on the case.Hussaini had been living in Dubai and other foreign countries for several years. The money they earned from the deal with the Iranian spy was invested in properties in Dubai, said an investigator. Hussaini belongs to Jamshedpur, and the family had shifted to Seemapuri in northeast Delhi two decades ago. Police have recovered multiple forged travel documents.In a statement, Delhi Police said: “The arrested man has been identified as Adil Hussaini with aliases Syed Adil Hussain, Mohammad Adil Hussaini and Nasimuddin. He and his brother, Akhtar Hussaini, have supplied sensitive information to foreign countries. They are involved in procuring multiple Indian passports using forged documents.” The police recovered an original and two forged passport copies from him. The accused was produced before the court and taken into police custody for seven days. Initial investigations indicate Hussaini has travelled extensively to Pakistan and several other countries using these fake documents.Sources said Mumbai Police, acting on a tip from a central agency, arrested Adil’s brother Akhtar. Akhtar is suspected of having travelled to Gulf countries multiple times using fake papers. He is reported to have obtained three separate identity cards belonging to a confidential government centre, suggesting access to sensitive information.Police recovered two fake identity cards of BARC in the names of Alexander Palmer, and Ali Raza Hussain. The siblings have worked in UAE oil firms. He claimed to prospective clients that he had access to confidential material. Maps and other incriminating documents were also seized. Besides them, a cafe operator has also been held. Officials are working to ascertain how many individuals were provided with fake passports and the nature of the sensitive information compromised by the ring.