Saharanpur: Iqbal Bhatti, also known as Devraj Sehgal, a Pakistani national accused of espionage, was deported to Pakistan on Monday night after completing a 17-year prison sentence, officials said.
“Iqbal Bhatti was handed over to Pakistani authorities at the Wagah border,” Additional Superintendent of Police Manoj Yadav told PTI, adding that Bhatti underwent a medical examination at the Saharanpur district hospital before his deportation.
Bhatti had served his sentence in Gautam Budh Nagar district jail, which ended 11 months ago. Since his release on March 22 last year, he had been held under tight security at the Saharanpur detention centre. Following the completion of all necessary paperwork, he was deported to his home country on Monday night.
According to ASP Yadav, Bhatti had been living in a rented house in Hakikat Nagar, Saharanpur, under the alias Devraj Sehgal and had established contacts with local residents. Using this address and forged documents, he obtained a voter ID, PAN and ration cards, and even opened an account with the State Bank of India. The bank’s chief manager noticed discrepancies and alerted the police, leading to a case against him.
Bhatti’s espionage activities date back to 2008, when he was arrested by the Punjab Police in Patiala while carrying sensitive military documents and maps. Punjab Police brought him back to Saharanpur, and subsequent investigations revealed that he had been spying for Pakistan while living as a civilian under the alias Devraj.
A court sentenced him to 17 years in prison for espionage and forgery-related offences, ASP Yadav said. Upon completing his sentence at Gautam Budh Nagar jail, the prison authorities submitted a report to the Saharanpur Police regarding his deportation or transfer to a detention centre. During the proceedings, Bhatti expressed his willingness to return to Pakistan, the ASP added.
With PTI inputs