In the aftermath of the arrest of CRPF Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Moti Ram Jat for allegedly leaking classified information to Pakistani intelligence, central agencies have unearthed a deeper and more complex espionage operation. The newly discovered element involves a covert financial network that used innocent Indian citizens to fund Jat’s activities without their knowledge.

According to investigators, Pakistani operatives adopted an unusual method to pay Jat. Rather than direct transfers or using known Indian handlers, they instructed random individuals — mostly unsuspecting customers involved in small-scale business transactions — to deposit money into Jat’s bank account. These individuals were under the impression that they were paying for legitimate services such as travel bookings or currency exchange, often via QR code payments. In reality, the account details they were given belonged to Moti Ram Jat, and they had no knowledge of his identity or the nature of the transactions.

This clever “layering” strategy complicated the financial trail, making it harder for investigators to track the source and purpose of the funds. Jat was arrested in May by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Delhi for passing classified documents to Pakistani agents who posed as journalists. He had been posted with a CRPF battalion in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and was transferred to Delhi just five days before the April 22 terrorist attack that killed 26 civilians.

Investigations revealed that over the last two years, Jat allegedly shared multiple sensitive documents with his handlers in Pakistan in return for financial compensation. He reportedly received ₹3,500 per month regularly, and occasional lump-sum payments up to ₹12,000 for more significant intelligence. These amounts were deposited into both his and his wife’s bank accounts.

The NIA traced the origin of these deposits to various Indian states — including Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and West Bengal. The pattern showed multiple unrelated accounts sending money from different regions, suggesting an orchestrated effort to mask the source of funds.

As part of the expanding probe, the NIA conducted simultaneous raids across several locations. These included a shop in Alipore, a travel agency in Khidderpore, and a hotel in Kolkata’s Park Circus. In one instance, a travel agency owner was called in for questioning due to suspicious money transfers.

The NIA officially confirmed the espionage links earlier this month. In a statement, it declared that the suspects were connected to Pakistani operatives and functioned as financial conduits for intelligence-gathering activities in India. Several electronic gadgets, financial documents, and other incriminating materials were seized during the searches.

Jat, during interrogation, claimed he was first contacted by a woman posing as a journalist from a Chandigarh-based television channel. After frequent communication through calls and video chats, he began sending her documents. Later, a male contact — allegedly a Pakistani intelligence officer — took over the conversation, continuing the pretense of being a journalist.

Payments reportedly started 2–3 months after the initial contact, arriving on the 4th day of each month, pointing to a systematic, well-funded espionage operation. The NIA has since updated the Ministry of Home Affairs, CRPF, and other agencies about the evolving and sophisticated tactics used by Pakistan to exploit Indian systems and citizens.