Political Turmoil in Rajasthan Following Arrest of Spy Shakur Khan
Arrest Sparks Controversy
A significant political upheaval has unfolded in Rajasthan with the detention of Shakur Khan, a government officer from Jaisalmer, on charges of espionage for Pakistan. The state administration has escalated its investigation into the allegations against him and has initiated a probe into the involvement of former cabinet minister Saleh Mohammad.
Court Proceedings and Charges
On Tuesday, Shakur Khan appeared before the Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court in Jaipur, where he was remanded to police custody for seven days. He faces grave accusations under sedition laws, espionage, and the Official Secrets Act of 1923. Khan, who served as the Assistant Administrative Officer at the Jaisalmer District Employment Office, has made several alarming disclosures since his arrest.
Connections to Pakistani Officials
Investigations have uncovered that Shakur Khan, a resident of Mangaliya Ki Dhani in Jaisalmer, maintained direct communication with officials from the Pakistani embassy, including Ahsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish and Sohail Qamar. He reportedly visited the embassy multiple times, engaged in personal meetings, and secured a Pakistani visa, allowing him to travel to Pakistan on seven occasions.
Espionage Allegations
During these trips, Shakur allegedly connected with ISI agents and, upon his return, relayed sensitive information regarding Indian military operations. He is accused of sending videos and images of religious sites using a stolen iPhone, transmitting this data to Pakistan via WhatsApp.
Key Accusations Against Shakur Khan
1. Collaborating with officials from the Pakistan High Commission and conspiring to facilitate the travel of other Indian nationals to Pakistan.
2. Transmitting videos and images of Indian Army activities and religious sites to ISI agents using a stolen iPhone, while maintaining direct contact with 13 ISI operatives.
3. Undertaking seven unauthorized trips to Pakistan as a government employee.
Lawyers Protest in Court
During Shakur's court appearance, lawyers protested vocally, chanting slogans such as 'Down with Pakistan' and asserting that no legal representation would be provided to someone accused of treason.
Congress Under Scrutiny
The situation has begun to impact the Congress party, as Shakur Khan previously served as the personal secretary to Saleh Mohammad, a Congress leader and former minister. State Minister Avinash Gehlot emphasized that the investigation would thoroughly examine Saleh Mohammad's involvement, questioning the Congress party's silence on the matter.
Congress Attempts to Mitigate Fallout
Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra and Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully stated that a leader cannot be held accountable for the actions of their personal assistant. They called for a fair investigation while urging the government to act with the same urgency as seen in the Kanhaiya Lal murder case.
Former IPS Officer Raises Concerns
Former IPS officer Pankaj Chaudhary has also been mentioned in this context. He alleged that in 2013, while serving as the SP of Jaisalmer, he had filed a case against Saleh Mohammad and had opened a history sheet on his father, Ghazi Faqir. Following this, he was transferred, and he claims that intelligence agencies have been monitoring this family with suspicion since then.
Future Investigations
The pressing question for investigators is whether Shakur Khan acted independently or if a broader network is involved. Investigators are expected to explore whether he leveraged his political connections to facilitate espionage during the upcoming seven-day interrogation.