When Mumbai Police arrested 60-year-old Akhtar Hussaini Qutubuddin Ahmed last month, they believed they had nabbed a small-time fraudster. But what began as a case of impersonation soon unfolded into a web of forged identities, fake passports, suspicious foreign travel, and possible links with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Akhtar, a resident of Versova’s Yari Road, had been living a double life. To his neighbours, he was an ordinary man. But to foreign diplomats and companies, he introduced himself as a scientist from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), India’s top nuclear facility. His fabricated identity was good enough to convince even seasoned professionals abroad.

A ‘nuclear design’ for sale

According to reports, Akhtar tried to sell what he described as a “nu

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