The Nadiad Sessions Court in Gujarat's Kheda district has firmly rejected the bail application of Rashmani Pal, a woman accused by the state's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of acting as a conduit for Pakistani intelligence handlers. The court's decision on Tuesday came after the prosecution argued that Pal, if released, could destroy sensitive evidence and derail the ongoing investigation into a serious espionage racket.
The Core of the Espionage Allegations
Public Prosecutor Dhaval Barot presented a detailed case before the court, outlining Pal's alleged modus operandi. Investigators claim she assumed multiple fake identities to establish contact with at least 16 Indian Army jawans. Through these fabricated personas, she reportedly engaged them in conversations with the primary aim of extracting confidential information.
The prosecution stated that direct communication between Pal and her Pakistani handlers, identified as Abdul Sattar and others, has been uncovered via WhatsApp and other text platforms. These handlers were allegedly seeking details on army unit movements, exercises, and strategic information, potentially to plan attacks against Indian forces.
A Web of Deception and the Pakistani Parcel
While Pal is originally from Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh and was residing in Dadar and Nagar Haveli at the time of her arrest in December, her activities extended to Gujarat. The investigation revealed she befriended individuals in Kachhai village, Kheda district, to help manage her social media accounts as a layer of obfuscation.
This trail eventually led to a critical interception. ATS and intelligence agencies tracked a parcel from an undisclosed location in Pakistan destined for Kheda. The probe into this suspicious delivery, given the lack of local Pakistani connections, ultimately pointed investigators towards Rashmani Pal. It was allegedly part of the spy network's logistics.
Additional Fraud and Ongoing Manhunt
Further adding to the charges, the prosecution informed the court that Pal had also started a separate business under another assumed name, 'Priya Thakur'. For this venture, she even acquired an OTP using a neighbour's phone, showcasing her pattern of using deceptive methods.
Barot emphasized that the case is broader than a single individual. Several other accused are still wanted, and Pal's co-accused, Ajaykumar Singh from Goa, has also been arrested. Both have been booked under charges of criminal conspiracy and committing offences against the state.
The court, considering the gravity of the charges, the international dimensions involving the ISI, and the risk to national security, found no grounds for granting bail. The decision underscores the serious nature of the allegations, which involve honey-trapping military personnel and attempting to compromise India's defence mechanisms.
