Who Is the Third Suspect Arrested for Leaking Sensitive Indian Navy Information to Pakistan?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Third suspect arrested for leaking Navy information to Pakistan.
- Investigation reveals potential involvement of more individuals.
- Accused face serious charges under the Official Secrets Act.
- National security implications are being taken seriously by authorities.
- Sensitive information shared via social media platforms.
Udupi (Karnataka), Dec 22 (NationPress) Karnataka Police have apprehended a third individual linked to a case concerning the transmission of sensitive Indian Navy information to Pakistan.
The investigation, conducted by officers from the Malpe police station in Udupi district, led to the capture of a 34-year-old suspect named Hitendra, who resides in Kailashnagari, Gujarat.
Authorities have uncovered that Hitendra allegedly supplied SIM cards to the other two suspects in exchange for monetary compensation. The previously arrested duo is currently in judicial custody, and police are interrogating Hitendra due to the grave nature of these allegations.
Officials have indicated that more individuals may be implicated, and the investigation is comprehensive.
It is important to note that on November 21, Karnataka Police arrested two suspects for reportedly sharing sensitive Indian Navy intelligence with Pakistan via WhatsApp and Facebook for financial gain.
The earlier arrested suspects were employees at Cochin Shipyard and were detained following a complaint lodged by the CEO of Cochin Shipyard at the Malpe police station. They face charges under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act.
The suspects have been identified as 20-year-old Rohit and 37-year-old Santri, both from Sultanpur district in Uttar Pradesh.
According to Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar, the investigation, spearheaded by Assistant Police Commissioner Harsha Priyamvada and Malpe Station Sub-Inspector D. Anil Kumar, was initiated following a tip-off. A specialized police team located both individuals together in a Malpe accommodation and apprehended them. The case holds significant implications for national security, prompting an intensified investigation to ascertain if others are involved.
Initial findings suggest that Rohit is the primary suspect. He had been employed as an insulator at the Cochin Shipyard facility in Malpe for the past six months.
Police reports indicate that Rohit acquired a confidential roster of Indian Navy vessels, including their identification numbers and other classified data from Santri, who was also employed at Cochin Shipyard.
The inquiry has revealed that the sensitive information was relayed to Pakistan and potentially other nations, with ongoing investigations into this aspect, as confirmed by the SP.
SP Hariram Shankar further noted that the accused received substantial payments in return for the information. They are suspected of disseminating information related to ports under the central government, ships, and shipyard operations in Cochin, Kerala, and its Malpe branch in Karnataka for over a year and a half.
The investigation has also disclosed that Rohit profited considerably by selling details such as ship lists, identification numbers, and additional classified information while working at Cochin Shipyard in Kerala.
Indian Navy vessels are constructed at the shipyard’s facility in Kerala, while the Malpe unit in Karnataka builds ships for private clients and international customers.
Rohit was reassigned to Malpe six months ago. However, he reportedly continued to obtain information from his associate Santri and communicated it via WhatsApp and Facebook.
SP Hariram Shankar emphasized that the actions of the accused have jeopardized the nation's integrity and sovereignty, posing a serious risk to internal security.