Kolkata Court Delivers Verdict in High-Profile Espionage and Counterfeit Currency Case
The Kolkata City Sessions Court has handed down significant sentences to four individuals involved in espionage activities for Pakistan and a counterfeit currency operation. On Friday, the court convicted three men to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, while a fourth received a five-year term. This ruling marks a critical development in a case that has exposed transnational security threats.
Details of the Convictions and Sentences
Among those sentenced, Mohammad Ijaz, a Pakistani national, along with Indian nationals Afsar Ansari and Mohammad Jahangir, were each given 10 years in prison. Additionally, they were fined Rs 5,000 each. Sheikh Badal, another Indian national, was sentenced to five years of imprisonment. Chief Public Prosecutor Dipankar Kundu noted that since the accused have already served their time in jail during the trial, they are likely to be released soon. Kundu also stated that Mohammad Ijaz will be sent back to Pakistan following established legal protocols.
Background and Investigation of the Espionage Network
The case dates back to April 2015 when the Special Task Force (STF) apprehended Afsar Ansari and his father, Irshad Ansari, for sharing classified images of the Kolkata Port with Pakistani intelligence agencies. Investigations revealed that Mohammad Ijaz, also known as Mohammad Kalam, is an agent of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Hailing from Islamabad, he was trained by the ISI and entered India via Bangladesh in February 2013 with the assistance of a Bangladeshi national named Prabin.
Upon arrival, Ijaz stayed at the residence of Muhammad Irshad in South 24 Parganas and obtained an Indian passport using forged documents. With Ijaz's support, Afsar Ansari photographed critical sections of the Kolkata Port and created detailed maps. At the time, an Indian Navy warship was under construction at the port, and this network smuggled photos, maps, and the warship's design to Pakistan. The interrogation of Afsar and Irshad Ansari led to the arrests of Sheikh Badal and Mohammad Jahangir, who were also implicated in the espionage activities.
Seizures and Legal Proceedings
During the investigation, authorities seized various incriminating documents and counterfeit currency worth Rs 5 lakh from the accused. The legal proceedings saw the case progress under Judge CJ Sukumar Roy, who pronounced all accused guilty on Thursday. Notably, Irshad Ansari passed away during the trial, leading to his name being removed from the case. This verdict underscores the ongoing challenges in combating espionage and financial crimes with international links.
