Jaipur court gives CID 3 more days to quiz Pakistan spy accused Mushtaq
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A Jaipur court on Monday, 22 June granted the CID Intelligence wing an additional three days of police remand for Mushtaq, the accused at the centre of an alleged Pakistan espionage case, as investigators press ahead with one of Rajasthan's most sensitive cross-border spy probes in recent years.
Key Developments in the Remand Hearing
Mushtaq was produced before the court after completing an initial five-day police remand. Prosecution counsel Special Public Prosecutor Sudesh Satwan informed the court that several critical lines of inquiry remained open, including scrutiny of the accused's financial dealings, digital communications, and a suspected local support network. The court accepted the argument and extended custody until 25 June, when Mushtaq will be produced again.
What Investigators Are Examining
According to Special Public Prosecutor Sudesh Satwan, the CID team is analysing the accused's Call Detail Records (CDRs), bank accounts, and monetary transactions to establish whether any suspicious financial flows exist. Interrogation has already led to the identification of several individuals whose roles are now under active scrutiny, though officials have withheld their identities citing the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation.
During the previous remand period, investigators reportedly took Mushtaq to locations where he is suspected of photographing and filming sensitive installations. Security agencies conducted spot inspections at those sites and collected evidence to determine whether local contacts assisted him.
Alleged Espionage Network and Pakistan Links
Investigators believe Mushtaq had been in contact with Pakistan-based handlers for nearly two years, according to preliminary findings. He allegedly operated a tea stall in a border region on the instructions of those handlers and was reportedly planning to install cameras capable of transmitting live feeds of strategic sites.
Security agencies suspect he monitored the movements of the Indian Army and the Border Security Force (BSF) and transmitted photographs, videos, and precise coordinates of sensitive locations through digital platforms, including Google Maps. Two mobile numbers — saved under the names 'Khalid' and 'Nazir Ahmed' — were recovered from his phone. Preliminary inquiries indicate both individuals are based in Pakistan and are believed to be involved in recruiting and training operatives.
What Happens Next
With the extended remand in place, the CID Intelligence wing is expected to intensify questioning over the coming three days, focusing on tracing communication channels, financial transactions, and any network of local associates. Investigators are also examining whether facilitators knowingly assisted Mushtaq in gathering or transmitting sensitive information. The full extent of the alleged cross-border espionage network is expected to become clearer as the probe advances toward the 25 June court date.