Delhi Police Special Cell Busts Espionage Module, Nepali National Arrested for Supplying SIMs to ISI

New Delhi, Sept 9 – In a major counter-espionage breakthrough, the Delhi Police Special Cell (Eastern Range) has dismantled a cross-border espionage module with the arrest of a Nepali national, who was supplying Indian SIM cards to operatives of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI. Investigations have revealed that these SIMs, procured fraudulently in India, were being operated on WhatsApp from Pakistan for espionage activities and attempts to establish contact with Indian defence personnel.

According to officials, the crackdown followed intelligence inputs regarding the misuse of Indian mobile numbers by ISI operatives across the border. Acting on the information, a dedicated team of the Eastern Range led by Inspector Rahul Kumar and Inspector Vineet Kumar Tewatia, under the close supervision of ACP Kailash Singh Bisht, mounted human intelligence surveillance.

On August 28, 2025, the team received specific inputs about a suspect linked to ISI handlers being present in Vijay Block, Laxmi Nagar, Delhi. Acting swiftly, the Special Cell apprehended the individual, who was later identified as Prabhat Kumar Chaurasiya (43), son of Bishwanath Prasad, resident of Birganj, Nepal.

From Chaurasiya’s possession, the police recovered digital devices containing incriminating material and multiple SIM card envelopes. During sustained questioning, he admitted to procuring 16 SIM cards (Airtel and Jio) using his Aadhaar credentials, out of which 11 were being operated from Pakistan—including locations like Lahore and Bahawalpur. These numbers were found to be in active use on WhatsApp by ISI operatives.

Investigations revealed that Chaurasiya first came in contact with ISI handlers in 2024, through a Nepali intermediary. He was enticed with promises of a U.S. visa and opportunities in journalism abroad. In exchange, he was tasked with supplying Indian SIM cards and collecting sensitive information related to DRDO and Army establishments.

Using his Aadhaar card registered in Latur, Maharashtra, the accused procured SIM cards from telecom stores in Bihar and Maharashtra. Once activated, these SIMs were smuggled to Kathmandu, Nepal, through conduits and then delivered to ISI handlers. These SIM-linked WhatsApp accounts were subsequently operated from Pakistan to reach out to Indian Army personnel and pursue espionage objectives.

Born in 1982 in Nepal into a modest family, Prabhat Kumar Chaurasiya completed his matriculation in Nepal, pursued intermediate studies in Motihari (Bihar), and later obtained a B.Sc. in Information Technology along with a diploma in computer hardware and networking. Professionally, he worked in the pharmaceutical industry across Pune, Latur, Solapur, and Delhi, holding positions as a Medical Representative and Area Sales Manager.

In 2017, he launched Neo Terminal & Logistics Company Pvt. Ltd. in Kathmandu, but the venture collapsed due to financial losses. Struggling financially, he came into contact with ISI operatives in Nepal. Out of desperation to go abroad, he agreed not only to supply Indian SIM cards but also to collect sensitive defence-related information on behalf of Pakistan’s spy agency.

A case has been registered against him at PS Special Cell, Delhi under Sections 61(2)/152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Officials said further investigation is underway to trace his associates, identify the courier network used for smuggling SIMs, and apprehend the foreign handlers orchestrating the espionage module.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell, Eastern Range), Amit Kaushik, confirmed that the bust marks a significant achievement in curbing ISI’s espionage operations in India. “The arrest has helped neutralize a crucial link of ISI’s network that was misusing Indian telecom infrastructure for anti-India activities,” he stated.