Investigation reveals foreign funding, extensive overseas travel, and over two decades of criminal impersonation involving sensitive sites, forged IDs, and elaborate fake credentials
The housing society in Versova, where Akhtar Hussain Qutubuddin Ahmed resided with his wife, and nine-year-old son. Pic/Ashish Raje
Akhtar Qutubuddin Husaini Ahmed, also known as Alexander Palmer, arrested in Versova for impersonating a BARC nuclear scientist, allegedly spent over two decades living as a behrupiya, posing under multiple identities across three major criminal cases.
First case
Ahmed’s criminal trail first emerged in 2003 in Meerut, where he was among 11 accused in a case registered at Kanker Kheda police station. During the investigation, he claimed involvement in exercises at three to four sensitive sites, including the Akshardham temple, though authorities are still verifying these claims. A Look Out Circular was later issued, and in 2011, he was intercepted at an airport — his alleged involvement coming to light for the first time.
Second case
The second case involved the Mumbai Crime Branch in 2004, when Ahmed was deported from Dubai. UAE authorities suspected him of attempting to sell classified nuclear information after he claimed to be a captain and said his brother was a BARC scientist. He was monitored for nearly two years before deportation.
Accused, Akhtar Qutubuddin Husaini Ahmed, alias Alexander Palmer. Pic/By Special Arrangement
The most recent case in 2025 saw Ahmed’s arrest in Mumbai. Police recovered forged passports, fake BARC IDs, maps, and educational certificates ranging from SSC to BE (Mechanical) and MEBSH Safety. Investigators noted he used advanced VPNs to hide his location and online activity while creating and transmitting forged documents.
Foreign funding
Investigators also uncovered USD 25,000 in foreign funding received in 1995, raising questions about its source. Ahmed reportedly travelled extensively using forged passports, making nearly 20 trips to Iran, about 15 visits to Saudi Arabia, and several trips to Russia and Thailand, frequently changing identities with fake Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and educational certificates.
Charge sheet filed
The Mumbai Crime Branch filed a 700-page charge sheet against Ahmed and co-accused Munazzil Khan. The document, submitted in Esplanade court, includes statements from around 60 witnesses and detailed evidence of forged passports, identity papers, and educational certificates. Another accused, Iliyaz Khan, is wanted for allegedly helping create fake documents. Ahmed, originally from Jamshedpur, had sold his ancestral home after his father died in 1996, but continued visiting the area, police said.
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