Kargil cops in Nagpur court for custody of woman who went to PoK; NIA keeping eye, may join probe

Time of India

2 days ago

Kargil police faces legal roadblock for Sunita custody, NIA Mumbai may join probe
NAGPUR: Kargil police team, which arrived in Nagpur on Tuesday to take custody of Sunita Jamgade, who illegally crossed into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), encountered a legal roadblock on Wednesday when a Nagpur court demanded a physical production warrant from a Kargil before allowing her transfer.
Zonal DCP Niketan Kadam confirmed that without proper documentation, the Nagpur court cannot issue a local production warrant or release her into Kargil team's custody. Now, Kargil police, which had moved court here, will remain in the city for at least another day.
Nagpur police are also coordinating with
National Investigation Agency
(NIA) Mumbai. Kadam said the NIA shared a list of questions for Sunita, and local investigators will send written responses.
"If NIA finds a terrorism angle, their team will travel to Nagpur," he added.
Earlier, the Kargil police team visited Sunita's home in North Nagpur. Senior PI Satish Ade confirmed the visit, noting that while Sunita's mother was not at home, her brother remained tight-lipped and reluctant to talk. Kadam said she shared very little information with her family. Sources also confirmed the investigation uncovered her previous travels to Bhutan and Nepal in the last few years, apart from her earlier attempts to enter Pakistan.
In another breakthrough, police successfully accessed Sunita's phone data. "Some dubious apps were found, and we are conducting a forensic analysis," Kadam said. "So far, no direct link to espionage has been established, but cyber experts are verifying if any of the apps contain Pakistani malware." The forensic probe also revealed Sunita communicated with individuals across the border under the pretext of starting a gemstone business — conversations that later shifted toward discussing how to enter Pakistan.
Meanwhile, police mapped her route and pinpointed the exact location from where she crossed the border. They also confirmed Sunita travelled from Srinagar to Kargil with local help and J&K police have identified the individual. A probe is underway to track him down. "Her teenage son has shared crucial details with us and appears to be aware of many events that occurred during the journey," Kadam said. Her son is currently with the child welfare committee, Nagpur.
Sunita, 43, is currently in judicial custody and under intense scrutiny after being charged under the Official Secrets Act (OSA), the Passport Act, and sections related to national security.