The Crime Branch (CB) squad probing the parallel telephone exchange case has zeroed in on some of the Information Technology (IT) firms in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, which are suspected of having involvement in designing special purpose software for illegal operators.
Records recently recovered from two such firms in these districts confirm that the software has been used by the underground communication network operators to calculate the user fee of the illegal subscribers from various countries. Though the designers have reportedly claimed ignorance of the criminal motive behind the software purchase, action is likely against them on completion of further investigation and the analysis of the seized records.
The details of using the special software came to light after a six-month long probe into the incident by various investigation teams. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is also keen on the case after the CB probe has managed to expose illegal communication channel links with extremist elements and smugglers in different countries.
