Bhadrak: In a major crackdown on illegal SIM card operations, Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh Police, with the assistance of Bhandaripokhari Police, on Friday busted an illegal SIM card racket in Bhadrak district and arrested two persons in this connection.
The arrested accused have been identified as Santosh Khuntia, a mobile phone shop owner, and Maheswar Khuntia, a resident of Tarago village under Bant Police Station limits. Both were produced before the Bhadrak Court and later taken to Delhi on transit remand for further investigation.
According to reports, Santosh Khuntia was running a mobile shop at Manjuri Road Market under Bhandaripokhari police limits, where he allegedly activated multiple SIM cards using customers’ Aadhaar cards without their knowledge. When a customer visited the shop to purchase a SIM card, the accused would activate several SIM cards simultaneously using the same Aadhaar details. While one SIM card was handed over to the customer, the remaining SIM cards were allegedly sold to unidentified buyers at higher prices.
During interrogation, Santosh reportedly revealed the involvement of his associate Maheswar Khuntia, following which the latter was arrested. Both accused were actively involved in the illegal sale of pre-activated SIM cards.
Investigators further revealed that several SIM cards sold through this racket were used in criminal activities in Delhi and other places. The case came to light after an illegal SIM card was seized in connection with a case registered at Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh Police Station (Case No. 403/25). Technical analysis and investigation led police to Bhadrak, resulting in the arrests.
The Shaheen Bagh Police Station, along with the Cyber Cell of Delhi Police, is jointly investigating the case to identify other links in the racket and trace the end users of the illegally activated SIM cards.
