Kolkata, 4 June (H.S.) —A Kolkata-based businessman, Masood Alam, is under intense interrogation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for allegedly transferring money to a Pakistani spy under the guise of running a tour and travel agency. According to sources, Alam’s responses during questioning have raised several red flags due to lack of clarity on crucial points.
Alam has appeared at the NIA office in New Town for two consecutive days — Monday and Tuesday — and was questioned late into the evening. Investigators have revealed that funds were allegedly transferred through his agency to Motiram Jat, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan recently arrested for passing sensitive national security information to Pakistan.
NIA officials claim Masood Alam transferred money to Motiram Jat on three separate occasions — ₹13,000, ₹22,000, and ₹5,000. However, Alam has reportedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for these transactions. He has claimed that someone else gave him the money and instructed him to send it to Jat, but could not identify that individual or recall when and how the money was handed over.
The agency is now examining the bank accounts and contacts used for these transactions, aiming to uncover how long this suspected network has been operational and whether records were maintained.
The investigation has also expanded to two more individuals — Mohammad Ijaz, a businessman from Khidirpur, and Mohammad Wakil, a hotel worker in the Topsia area. While Ijaz failed to appear for questioning on Tuesday, Wakil's statement has been recorded. Wakil reportedly returned to Kolkata recently after spending nearly two decades outside the city. He is currently working in a hotel in Topsia and resides temporarily in the Rajabazar area.
Sources say Wakil’s name emerged during interrogations of suspects connected to a larger espionage network operating across India. NIA is now probing his previous whereabouts and associations prior to his return to Kolkata.
Investigations are ongoing, with the NIA aiming to uncover the extent of the spy network's reach and financial links.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh