Pakistan court hands man multiple life sentences over Indian Intelligence links
A Karachi anti-terrorism court sentenced Muhammad Saleem to multiple life terms for espionage, terrorism, and arms possession over alleged links with Indian intelligence agency RAW.
KARACHI: A Pakistan court sentenced Muhammad Saleem to multiple life terms on Thursday for illegally entering the country, maintaining alleged contact with Indian intelligence agency RAW, and possessing explosives and firearms, according to court documents.
The case comes amid longstanding Pakistani accusations that India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) sponsors militancy and espionage on Pakistani soil — allegations India denies. The most high-profile case in this regard was that of Kulbhushan Jadhav, a former Indian naval officer arrested in 2016 and sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court for alleged espionage, a conviction India disputes and has challenged at the International Court of Justice.
Arrest and charges
Prosecutors said Saleem had crossed into Pakistan illegally from India in 1989 and later obtained Pakistani identity documents. He was arrested in October 2024 in Karachi’s Mauripur area, where police recovered a hand grenade with a detonator, a bomb launcher, a pistol with 10 live rounds, and two Pakistani passports from his possession.
It remained unclear if Saleem was an Indian national prior to 1989 or whether he still held Indian nationality. Prosecutor Anila Malik confirmed the prosecution had established that Saleem entered Pakistan illegally, but noted that his nationality was not discussed during hearings. The court order also did not describe him as an Indian national.
Court proceedings
Judge Zeeshan Akhter Khan of Anti-Terrorism Court-XV wrote in his judgment that the prosecution had “successfully proved its case against the accused,” concluding that Saleem was “caught red-handed” with explosives and firearms.
Testimony from police officers, forensic reports, and the Bomb Disposal Unit’s findings were cited as proof that Saleem was planning attacks.
“There is no element of doubt in the present case,” the judgment stated, adding that police testimony was “confidence-inspiring” and supported by physical evidence and expert analysis.
Saleem denied the allegations, telling the court he was a social worker and not linked to RAW. He claimed the case was fabricated and the weapons were planted on him. In his recorded statement, he said, “No document is on record to show that he is agent of RAW and all the articles were foisted upon him.”
The court rejected his defense, citing unexplained travel to India in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Sentencing
Saleem was sentenced to three life terms under sections 121-A and 122 of the Pakistan Penal Code, relating to waging war against the state and collecting arms with the intent to wage war, as well as under section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act.
He also received 10 years under section 5 of the Explosive Substances Act, 14 years under section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act — which addresses acts intended to spread terror — and 10 years under the Sindh Arms Act. The court ruled that all sentences would run concurrently.
Saleem, who had been on bail during the proceedings, was taken into custody and remanded to Karachi Central Prison following the sentencing. The court informed him of his right to appeal before the Sindh High Court.
