Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 22: The Crime Branch of Mumbai Police arrested a 60-year-old man, Akhtar Hussain Qutubuddin Ahmed, for impersonating a scientist at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). During the investigation, police recovered fake degrees, passports, ID cards, maps, and other documents from his Versova residence.

Ahmed was found carrying two fake ID cards, under the names Ali Raza Hussain and Alexander Palmer, which he used to present himself as a BARC employee. Police also recovered 14 maps, mobile phones, and pendrives, and are investigating the purpose behind the collection.

According to police, Akhtar had been under scrutiny for years. He previously worked in Middle Eastern companies and was deported from Dubai in 2004 after allegedly attempting to sell sensitive information about India to Arab diplomats, though a subsequent investigation cleared him.

For nearly two decades, Ahmed used the identity of Alexander Palmer, traveling overseas with three passports issued in that name. He also obtained government documents, including Aadhaar, PAN, and a driving licence, under the Palmer identity.

The raid uncovered fake academic records, including Class 10 and 12 marksheets, BSc, BTech, and MBA degrees, and forged experience letters—all in the name of Alexander Palmer.

Police are now probing Ahmed’s foreign travels, contacts, and possible links to individuals or organisations, amid concerns that the activities may have involved smuggling sensitive nuclear information or espionage.