Husband-wife duo gets five and a half years in jail in Pakistan-linked espionage case in Visakhapatnam
The Hindu
Husband-wife duo sentenced to 5.5 years in Naval espionage case linked with Pakistani intelligence agencies by NIA.
A husband-wife duo has been sentenced to simple imprisonment by the NIA Special Court, Visakhapatnam, in the high-profile Naval espionage case linked with Pakistani intelligence agencies.
The court on Monday (February 24, 2025) sentenced Abdul Rehman and his wife Shaista Qaiser to five and a half years of simple imprisonment, apart from imposing a fine of ₹5,000 under Sections 17 and 18 of the UA(P) Act, 1967. They will have to undergo an additional one-year imprisonment in case of default in payment of the fine, the court ordered in its judgment pronounced after the duo pleaded guilty.
Abdul Rehman and his wife Shaista Qaiser were arrested between December 2019 and June 2020 in the case in which 15 accused have been arrested so far and charge-sheeted by NIA under various Ssections of the IPC, Official Secrets Act, and UA(P) Act.
The NIA investigations revealed that Abdul Rehman and Shaista Qaiser had operated as agents of foreign intelligence agencies involved in anti-India espionage activities. They had connections with Pakistani agents via their relatives in that country. They visited Pakistan between August 14, 2018 and September 1, 2018.
Acting on directions of the Pakistani agents, they had used various online money transfer Points of Sale (PoS) to transfer funds into the accounts of other accused persons for leaking sensitive defence information detrimental to India’s security, as per NIA investigations.
After two rounds of talks with the Ministers, Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Organisation —Government Employees Organisation said they were not inclined to accept to government’s request of time for four months.
The Opposition has proved a point by attending the Invest Kerala Global Summit
Three days after a proctorial inquiry was ordered against Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) joint secretary Mohd. Sajid, the students’ panel on Monday demanded the revocation of the probe, claiming that he is being “targeted for his identity and activism”. This comes at a time when 17 Jamia Millia Islamia students are protesting against their suspensions.
Trapped workers from Jharkhand in Telangana tunnel collapse; rescue operations ongoing with no breakthrough yet.
President Murmu advocates for more women in U.N. peacekeeping missions to address gender-based violence and promote dialogue effectively.
Congress leader claims 32 AAP MLAs in touch, triggering war of words; AAP accuses him of spreading rumors.
Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran announces measures to prevent wildlife attacks, including increased Rapid Response Teams and elephant-proof wall construction.
ED restores attached properties worth ₹3,339 crore to AgriGold ponzi scheme victims
World Arena Polo Championship begins at Hyderabad Polo and Riding Club with record international participation and level playing field.
Miltenyi Biotec opens cell and gene therapy center in Hyderabad, advancing medical research and innovation in Life Sciences.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin opens 'Mudhalvar Marunthagam' in Dindigul and Theni districts, part of 1,000 CM's Pharmacies statewide.
Sharad Pawar resolves MVA conflicts, criticizes controversial statements, and questions morality of politicians in Maharashtra.
Former Maharashtra Minister Aaditya Thackeray criticizes online trolls targeting Mohammed Shami and Javed Akhtar's patriotism based on religion.