Archive · 2 Nov 2025
Fake BARC Scientist Brothers Received Crores in Foreign Funding
Two brothers pretended to be scientists who worked at a special government facility called BARC.
They were arrested because they weren't real scientists.
Investigators found out that these brothers got a lot of money from countries like the US, Iran, and Iraq for many years.
They might have also been spies and used fake IDs.
The police are now trying to find out where all the money came from and where it went.
They are also looking into whether they had any connections to foreign intelligence agencies.
The national security is concerned because of this money trail from different countries.
Mumbai Crime Branch revealed that two brothers, posing as fake BARC scientists, received crores in foreign funding.
The funding originated from the United States, Iran, and Iraq and has been received since the 1990s.
The brothers, Akhtar and Adil Hussaini, allegedly used fake identities and blueprints to obtain funds.
Investigators suspect the brothers were involved in espionage and potentially have links to Pakistan's ISI.
Most bank accounts used to receive funds have been closed, complicating the investigation into the money trail.
- Who
- Akhtar Hussain Qutubuddin Ahmed (alias Alexander Palmer) and his brother Adil Hussaini
- What
- Accused of posing as BARC scientists and receiving crores of rupees in foreign funding
- When
- Since the 1990s, with funding escalating to crores by the early 2000s. Akhtar was arrested on October 17, and his associate Munazzir Khan on October 25.
- Where
- Akhtar arrested in Versova (Mumbai), Adil arrested in Delhi.
- Why
- Suspected of espionage-related activities and potentially having links with Pakistan's ISI.
- Arrested Individuals
- Akhtar Hussain Qutubuddin Ahmed alias Alexander Palmer, Adil Hussaini alias Syed Adil Hussain
- Agencies Involved
- Mumbai Crime Branch, Delhi Police Special Cell
- Allegations
- Operating as fake BARC scientists, receiving foreign funding, espionage, using fake identities
- Funding Sources
- United States (US), Iran, Iraq
- Funding Period
- Since the 1990s (lakhs), escalated to crores by early 2000s
- Seized Items
- Fake BARC ID cards, forged educational certificates, passport, Aadhaar, PAN card