india

Updated: Oct 02, 2019 18:48 IST

The arrest of an e-rickshaw driver and alleged Pakistani spy on September 25 from the Meerut Cantonment has turned out to be an embarrassment for Uttar Pradesh Police and the Military Intelligence (MI) with the case virtually collapsing.

A week into Altaf Ansari’s arrest, the MI has distanced itself from the arrest. “Our investigations reveal that Ansari would have strayed into the cantonment and may have been loitering in search of passengers. We don’t have anything to suggest that he is a spy,” a senior Indian Army officer aware of the case who did not want to be named said.

“Ansari was let out on bail subsequently, although the charges of spying levelled against him haven’t been withdrawn. He was a victim of circumstances. There was an alert, Ansari was at the wrong place and wrong time,” the officer said.

Ansari had failed to explain why he was loitering inside the cantonment and was arrested by a Quick Reaction Team (QRT) of the UP Police. A subsequent examination of his phone revealed that he was member WhatsApp groups which had people from Pakistan. The UP Police, which had received an alert from central agencies of possible subversive activity and sabotage, called in the Military Intelligence (MI) after his an initial examination of his phone. Ansari was arrested and declared to be a Pakistani spy and his arrest was showcased before the media.

The Meerut Cantonment is one of the oldest and most crucial military installations. It houses infantry Brigades, crucial elements of the Army Supply Corps and even the newly formed Rapid Divisions – infantry and mechanized formations that can be deployed at short notice.

In the recent past, several alleged cases of alleged spying have collapsed. For instance, last October, a promising young scientist working for the BrahMos – a joint venture of India and Russia – was arrested allegedly for spying. A Signal Corps personnel allegedly involved with the scientist, too, was arrested from the Meerut Cantonment. The Maharashtra, UP Police and Military Intelligence (MI) jointly worked on the case.

“Investigations suggest otherwise, there is nothing to suggest that either scientist or the Signal Corp personnel was involved in spying,” a senior officer in the Military Intelligence said.

The scientist is still contesting the case.