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Iranian foreign relations

Mumbai Crime Branch Uncovers Fake BARC Scientists with Foreign Funding Links

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Mumbai Crime Branch has made significant progress in the case of the two fake Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) scientists, Akthar Qutubuddin Hussaini alias Alexander Palmer and his brother Adil Hussaini. Investigations have revealed that the brothers received crores of rupees in foreign funding from the United States, Iran, and Iraq, which was funneled directly into their bank accounts. The Husaini brothers have been active since the 1990s and have been receiving foreign funds since around 1995, allegedly by falsely claiming to possess confidential information and showing fake blueprints of BARC and other nuclear installations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Husaini brothers allegedly obtained lakhs of rupees by falsely claiming to possess confidential information and showing fake blueprints of BARC and other nuclear installations since the 1990s.
  • By the early 2000s, the funding had escalated from lakhs to crores of rupees.
  • Investigators discovered that most of the bank accounts in which the funds were received have already been closed by the accused.
  • One operational Kotak Mahindra Bank account belonging to Akhtar Hussaini has been located, and a formal request has been sent to the bank seeking transaction details.
  • Crime Branch sources claim the latest findings strongly indicate that both brothers were involved in espionage-related activities.
  • Evidence is being gathered to substantiate the links between the Husaini brothers and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in Pakistan.
  • The investigation is now focused on tracing the complete international money trail and gathering concrete evidence of the funding links.
  • The accused, Akthar Qutubuddin Hussaini and Munazzir Nazimuddin Khan, are currently in judicial custody.

Statistics:

  • The Husaini brothers received crores of rupees in foreign funding since the 1990s.
  • The funds escalated from lakhs to crores of rupees by the early 2000s.
  • Investigators discovered that most of the bank accounts in which the funds were received have already been closed by the accused.
  • One operational Kotak Mahindra Bank account belonging to Akhtar Hussaini has been located.

Sources:

  • A senior official from the Mumbai Crime Branch, who wished to remain anonymous.
  • "Crime Branch Probes Roles of Accused in Espionage Case". Published in Indian National Press (Bombay) Pvt. Ltd., October 30, 2025.

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