Kashmiri fraudster Ishaan Bukhari’s chats with Pakistani ISI agent found; NIA to join probe

The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Crime Branch on Sunday claimed to have got some vital evidence regarding the suspected link of arrested Kashmiri fraudster Sayed Ishaan Bukhari with Pakistani ISI agents. 

STF SP Kishore Kumar Panigrahi said that the investigating team has found some conversations of Bukhari with a Pakistani ISI agent in chat. 

“The investigation into Bukhari’s suspected ISI link is currently underway. In the preliminary stage of the investigation, we have found that he was chatting with a Pakistani ISI agent. However, some portion of the chat has been deleted. We are trying to retrieve the deleted portion. If required it will be sent to the forensic laboratory,” said Panigrahi.

“We have also written for the CDR and SDR analysis of the accused Bukhari's phone records. His suspected link with the Pakistani ISI agents will be ascertained after receiving the reports of the analysis. The matter is currently under investigation,” he added.

The STF SP further said that from the initial investigation, Bukhari seems to be a fraudster. 

“Impersonating as a neurosurgeon, the accused has married six to seven women and he has four-five children. He has not pursued medical studies but collected fake certificates from abroad. We are in contact with Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir police and if required we will take their help in the ongoing investigation. We will pray before the court for his seven-day remand tomorrow. Subsequently, he will be interrogated by the investigation team and Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir police,” STF SP added.

It is also expected that the officials will get more evidence regarding Bukhari’s suspected terror links from his seized mobile phones.

Police and Crime Branch officials have also questioned some local people and the wife of Bukhari at his rented accommodation area in Neulpur.

In another development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will assist the Odisha Crime Branch in the investigation into the suspected ISI link of Bukhari soon.