New Delhi: The Eastern Range of Delhi Police’s Special Cell has dismantled an espionage network with the arrest of a Nepali national allegedly supplying Indian SIM cards to operatives of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, officials said on Wednesday.
Investigations revealed that these SIM cards were being used from across the border for espionage and other anti-India activities on social media platforms.
Following inputs from undisclosed sources about the misuse of Indian mobile numbers by ISI operatives in Pakistan, a dedicated team of the Special Cell (Eastern Range) launched a human intelligence operation. On August 28, they received information about an individual reportedly linked to Pakistan intelligence handlers, located in Vijay Block, Laxmi Nagar, Delhi.
The suspect, later identified as Prabhat Kumar Chaurasiya (43), a resident of Birgunj, Nepal, was immediately apprehended.
During questioning, Chaurasiya disclosed that he had procured 16 SIM cards using his Aadhaar credentials and sent them to Nepal, of which 11 were active on social media platforms from Lahore, Bahawalpur, and other Pakistani cities. Digital devices with incriminating material and SIM card envelopes were recovered from him.
Investigations revealed that Chaurasiya had been in contact with foreign intelligence handlers since 2024 through a Nepali intermediary. He was reportedly lured with promises of a US visa and job opportunities in the media sector abroad. In return, he supplied Indian SIM cards and collected sensitive information related to DRDO and Indian Army establishments.
Using his Aadhaar card registered in Latur, Maharashtra, he purchased SIM cards from telecom stores in Bihar and Maharashtra. After activation, the cards were smuggled to Kathmandu and handed over to Pakistan intelligence handlers. Social media accounts registered on these SIMs were later operated from Pakistan to contact army personnel in India and pursue espionage objectives.
Chaurasiya, born in Nepal in 1982, completed his matriculation there and pursued intermediate studies in Motihari, Bihar. He holds a B.Sc. in Information Technology and a diploma in computer hardware and networking. Professionally, he worked as a medical representative and area sales manager in the pharmaceutical sector across Pune, Latur, Solapur, and Delhi.
In 2017, he established a logistics company in Kathmandu, which collapsed due to financial losses. It was during this period that he reportedly came into contact with ISI operatives. Driven by a desire to go abroad, he agreed to supply Indian SIM cards and gather sensitive defense information.
A case has been registered at the Special Cell Police Station, Delhi under Sections 61(2)/152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigations are underway to trace his associates, identify the courier network, and apprehend the foreign handlers behind the espionage network, a senior official said.
