NUH: A sweeping investigation into suspected Pakistani espionage networks in Haryana’s Mewat region intensified this week with the arrest of a young lawyer, Rizwan marking the third such arrest this year. The operation, conducted jointly by Delhi Police and Nuh Police in Kharkhari village under the Taoru subdivision, has sparked both shock and controversy across the region.
According to investigative officials, Rizwan who practiced in Gurugram, Nuh and Sohna courts was allegedly in online contact with Pakistan-based individuals and engaged in questionable financial transactions flagged by central intelligence agencies.
Authorities claim they recovered WhatsApp chats, call logs, and other digital evidence from his mobile phone, prompting his formal arrest under Section 113 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 17 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Investigators further allege that Rizwan handled large sums of money routed into India through hawala channels linked to ISI handlers. Several high-value deposits were reportedly traced to his Punjab National Bank account in the Tawadu branch, and his frequent travels to Punjab are now under intense scrutiny.
A senior police officer confirmed that the process to freeze his bank accounts is underway, and multiple raids and technical surveillance operations have been launched to track possible accomplices. Another lawyer associated with Rizwan has also been detained for questioning.
Rizwan’s family, however, insists he is innocent. His father, Zubair, said the allegations are “completely baseless.”
“We have relatives in Pakistan and speak to them just like any family would. But Rizwan has never been involved in anti-national activity. He was returning from Sohna Court on November 24 and had stopped briefly at his in-laws’ house when the police picked him up without explanation,” his father said.
He added that after two days of questioning, a joint police team searched their home and seized documents from Rizwan’s room before formally arresting him. “My son is a lawyer, not a criminal. This action is unjust and one-sided. We demand a fair, impartial investigation,” Zubair said.
The village sarpanch, Ashfaq, expressed disbelief at the arrest. “Rizwan is a brilliant and capable lawyer from a respected family. There has never been a single complaint against him. This accusation has stunned the entire village,” he said.
In a parallel development, Rizwan’s associate Musharraf alias Parvez Advocate was detained around 1 a.m. during a swift police operation at his home. According to his father, Dilawar alias Dilala, nearly a dozen policemen arrived in two vehicles and took Parvez into custody.
“Parvez’s arm was hurt while he was being taken away. He had surgery just three months ago after a road accident. Since last night, we have no information about his whereabouts,” the father said.
He added that Parvez’s elder brother, Ejaz, has been serving in the Indian Army since 2013, stating the family’s shock at the allegations.
Rizwan’s arrest is the third espionage-linked arrest in Nuh district this year. Earlier in May, two youths Mohammad Tarif from Kangarka village and Arman from Rajaka village were arrested on suspicion of sharing sensitive military information with Pakistan’s ISI.
