All five accused involved in installing a spy camera near the Sujanpur bus stand to capture the movement of the Army and paramilitary convoys on the strategic Jammu-Pathankot national highway have been booked under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and Section 113 of the BNS. The terrorist act under the said provisions carries death penalty.
SSP Daljinder Singh Dhillon said apart from mastermind Baljit Singh, the four other arrested persons were: Ankit Sharma, owner of the shop where the spy camera was put up, Hardeep Singh, Baljinder Singh and Tarunpreet Singh.
Hardeep Singh is the brother of Baljit Singh. He was instrumental in destroying the mobile phone of Baljit Singh. Baljit had handed over the phone to his brother for safe keeping before he had installed the device at Ankit Sharma’s premises. However, when Hardeep got to know that Baljit had been arrested, he destroyed the mobile phone.
Police sources said the mobile phone contained sensitive information and numbers of international smugglers who were backed by the ISI.
A case has been registered against them at the Sujanpur police station.
Police officials say the OSA is a national security legislation designed to prevent espionage, protect classified information and safeguard strategic government installations.
“The act primarily functions to secure the state against threats from foreign agents or anti-national elements. It bans sharing sensitive sketches, plans, models or passwords that can aid an enemy state and carries heavy penalties, including imprisonment for up to 14 years.
During questioning, Baljit had allegedly confessed that he had been acting under instructions received through an unknown individual based in Dubai, who is said to be an ISI agent.
