Maharashtra ATS Busts Illegal Telephone Exchange in Thane

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) busted an illegal telephone exchange in Thane, suspected to facilitate terror activities, causing over Rs 3 crore in government losses. A 40-year-old man was arrested. The agency seized equipment and a case was registered under multiple acts.

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has dismantled an illegal telephone exchange in Thane's Bhiwandi area, which could reroute international calls as local calls. A 40-year-old man has been taken into custody in connection with the operation, which is suspected to have facilitated terror-related activities.

The exchange had been functional for one-and-a-half years, according to ATS officials. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) estimates the scheme may have defrauded the government out of over Rs 3 crore in revenue.

Based on precise intelligence, ATS officers conducted a raid on the illicit telephone exchange at New Gauripada and Roshan Baugh in Bhiwandi on Wednesday. The operation led to the seizure of 9 SIM boxes, 246 SIM cards, 8 routers, 191 antennas, and an inverter, all of which were used in running the illegal exchange.

The SIM boxes would convert international VoIP (Voice-over-Internet Protocol) calls to local GSM calls, making overseas calls appear as if they were made from within the country.

ATS also apprehended Jafar Babu Usman Patel (40), who was operating the illegal exchange for financial gain along with his associates. A case has been lodged under Bharatiya Nayaya Sanhita, the Indian Telegraph Act, the Telecommunications Act, and the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, with further investigation ongoing.

(With inputs from agencies.)