Pakistani citizen sentenced to 7-year RI for spying

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Tuesday sentenced a 37 year-old citizen of Pakistan to seven years' rigorous imprisonment for possessing sensitive defence information three years ago.

Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Rajneesh Kumar Gupta held Asif guilty of espionage charges under the Indian Official Secrets (OS) Act and also slapped on him a fine of Rs 5,000.

The court also found Asif guilty under the Foreigner's Act for staying in India without a proper visa or permit.

After getting a tip-off, Asif was arrested by Delhi police at Pragati Maidan on September 20, 2004.

The police alleged Asif was found in unlawful possession of documents including that of 17 photographs and two hand-made sketches of the Cantonment area of Gangtok.

These documents were very sensitive and related to the defence matters of India and were containing the information directly or indirectly useful to any enemy country, the police alleged.

The Delhi Police investigating team is ascertaining if any other man is also involved in the espionage racket.

"The charges against Asif are quite serious in nature. The information could have been helpful directly or indirectly to any enemy country and may affect the sovereignty and integrity of India. So, I am of the firm opinion that Asif should be sentenced to at least seven years' in jail which would fit for the crime," the judge said.