Reliance deactivates 36,000 SIM cards in Jammu

Jammu, June 11 (ANI): Investigations by the Crime Branch of Jammu and Kashmir police into the SIM card scam has resulted in deactivation of 36,000 SIM cards by Reliance Communication in Jammu.

It is alleged that the distributors of the company issued SIM cards without the mandatory prior verification and in some cases even by forging documents.

The Crime Branch team found that authorised dealers of private cellular companies issued SIM cards in violation of norms, threatening security.

According to J. P. Singh, Special Superintendent of Police (SSP) of crime branch, there are intelligence inputs that militants are using such SIM cards.

"The cards, which have been issued by the companies have finally landed into hands of militants and criminal elements. If they have been deactivated today, as the company has said, definitely it will be a big set back to the criminal elements and the anti-national elements. This is going to be great help to the security forces," said J P Singh, SSP Crime Branch.

Singh added that the company displayed corporate responsibility by deactivating the SIM cards. He hoped other private cellular companies would take a cue from Reliance Telecom.

Crime Branch sleuths are conducting surprise checks on authorised outlets of cellular companies and seizing their record for scrutiny.

They have already arrested three dealers so far. (ANI)