No bail for accused who sold SIM cards to terror accused

I Rajesh, 34, second accused in the case had moved for a bail plea before the court claiming that his job was to sell the SIM cards and it was the verifying officer who has to scrutinise the documents submitted by the customers. He contended that he was ready to abide by any conditions imposed upon him and to produce sufficient solvent sureties for his due appearance in the case.

Vehemently opposing the bail plea, Q Branch CID submitted that accused is staying temporarily in his present address and if released on bail, would abscond and influence the witnesses. “Granting bail to the petitioner at this crucial stage will hamper the probe,” it claimed.

The case was filed under Sections 465, 468, 471 IPC, R/W, 120(B) IPC and Sections 13, 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The prosecution alleged that Pachaiyappan, an Airtel SIM card seller, conspired with his friend Rajesh to make quick bucks by committing forgery. The duo affixed the photographs of unknown persons with the documents about the SIM cards, without their knowledge, and concealed the real identity of those who bought the SIM cards for a much higher price.

The officers arrested Pachaiyappan on December 29, last year, based on a complaint filed by Nagaraj, a sales manager of Airtel in Kanchipuram, and on his confession, Rajesh was arrested.

The prosecution alleged that Pachaiyappan and Rajesh have sold 200 such bogus SIM cards to various persons including those who are suspected to have involved in terrorist activities.

The duo’s confession led the police to recover SIM cards and arrest other accused -- Anbarasan, Abdul Rehman, Liyakath Ali, Mohammed Hanif Khan, Imran and Zaid. The accused are connected in one way or the other to the terrorists who were arrested recently across the country.