A man posing as a scientist was arrested at India’s top nuclear research centre, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai. During the investigation, police recovered suspicious nuclear data and 14 maps from his possession. 

The documents are now being examined to determine whether they contain any sensitive or classified information related to the country’s nuclear research. The accused, who had multiple fake identities and forged BARC ID cards, is suspected of having international links, raising serious security concerns.

The accused, Akhtar Qutubuddin Hussaini, was arrested in Versova last week. He had been pretending to be a scientist and using multiple fake identities. During the search, police found fake passports, Aadhaar and PAN cards, and forged BARC ID cards. On one ID card, he was identified as Ali Raza Hussain, while another carried the name Alexander Palmer.

Investigators say Hussaini made several international calls in recent months. His call records are being checked to find out who he was contacting and whether he had any foreign links related to the suspicious data.

Further investigation revealed that Hussaini had a long history of faking identities and living under disguise. In 2004, he was deported from Dubai after claiming to be a “scientist with classified documents.” Despite being deported, he reportedly travelled again to Dubai, Tehran, and other places using fake passports.

Hussaini, originally from Jamshedpur, had sold his ancestral house in 1996. However, he continued using that old address to make false documents with the help of his old contacts. His brother, Adil Hussaini, introduced him to Munazzil Khan, a man from Jharkhand who allegedly forged two passports for them under fake names, Hussaini Mohammad Adil and Nasimuddin Syed Adil Hussaini. The address on these passports was of the house sold nearly 30 years ago.

Police believe the Hussaini brothers used these forged documents to travel abroad multiple times. Recently, Adil Hussaini was arrested by Delhi Police. However, during questioning, Akhtar tried to mislead investigators by claiming that his brother had died long ago.

The investigation has now uncovered that Munazzil Khan’s brother, Ilyas Khan, also played a role and is now wanted by police. He is accused of providing fake educational certificates to Akhtar, including school and college degrees.

Akhtar is also wanted by Meerut Police for his alleged role in spreading unrest and inciting people against the Uttar Pradesh government. Police are now trying to find out whether his activities at BARC had any links to foreign agencies or national security threats.