Aurangabad: In a significant breakthrough in an ongoing counter-espionage operation, the Rajasthan Police’s CID (Intelligence) has arrested a funding agent linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) from Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Investigators allege the accused played a key role in channelling funds to individuals accused of spying for Pakistan, exposing a wider financial network used to support espionage activities in India.
The arrested accused has been identified as Rafiq Sheikh, a resident of Harsul in Aurangabad district. According to Rajasthan Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) Prafull Kumar, Sheikh was arrested following months of investigation into financial transactions connected to an espionage case registered under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, in January 2026.
The case originated with the arrests of Jhabra Ram, a resident of Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district, and Sumit Kumar, a Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) employee posted at the Indian Air Force Station in Dibrugarh, Assam. The two are accused of allegedly passing sensitive information related to the Indian Armed Forces to handlers associated with the ISI. During the investigation, officials examined financial transactions linked to the accused and uncovered what they describe as a funding network operating across multiple states.
According to investigators, the money received by the two accused was allegedly routed through Rafiq Sheikh. Police claim Sheikh had been in contact with an ISI handler through social media platforms for nearly four years. Acting on the handler’s instructions, he allegedly opened several bank accounts in his own name as well as in the names of other individuals to receive and transfer funds meant for espionage-related activities. Authorities believe these accounts were used to disguise the source and movement of money.
Investigators further allege that Sheikh functioned as a financial intermediary, ensuring that funds reached operatives without directly exposing the foreign handlers. Officials said digital evidence, banking records and other material collected during the probe pointed to his involvement in facilitating monetary transactions for the alleged spy network.
Based on the evidence gathered, Rajasthan CID (Intelligence) arrested Sheikh on June 30, 2026, in Aurangabad. He was subsequently brought to Rajasthan for further interrogation. Officials believe his questioning could help uncover additional members of the alleged network, identify other funding channels and establish the full extent of the cross-border espionage operation.
The Rajasthan Police said the investigation remains underway and has not ruled out further arrests. Authorities are also examining digital communications, financial records and links with suspected foreign handlers to determine whether additional individuals were involved in facilitating or receiving funds.
Security agencies have intensified their crackdown on suspected espionage networks in recent months, particularly those allegedly using social media, encrypted communication platforms and financial intermediaries to recruit informants and transfer funds. Officials said the latest arrest is part of continued efforts to dismantle such networks and safeguard national security.
