A 27-year-old man, working as a junior engineer in the Defence Technology Department of a private company in Mumbai, was arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistan.
Following his arrest, a shocking revelation has emerged during the investigation in the case. The accused, Ravi Verma, provided classified details related to 14 different warships and submarines to agents of Pakistan's Intelligence Organization (PIO).
How Verma Shared Sensitive Information With Pakistan
During interrogation, Verma said he was aware that mobile phones were prohibited inside the naval dockyard where he was employed. He therefore memorised the defect lists and technical details of each warship or submarine he worked on in order to bypass this restriction.
Once his shift ended and his phone was returned, Verma would send the information to PIO agents via WhatsApp, either by typing it out or through voice notes.
The ATS probe uncovered that Verma was honey-trapped on Facebook by a female agent of the PIO, who manipulated him into sharing the information. Posing as someone named Payal Sharma or Isprit, she reportedly lured him into an emotional trap.
During their conversations, she expressed deep interest in warships and claimed she was working on a project related to warships and submarines, for which she needed his help. Using this pretext, she persuaded Verma to share intricate details about naval assets, slowly gaining access to critical and confidential information.
Verma resided in Atikoneshwar Nagar in Kalwa area of Thane and has a mother and a sister. The Maharashtra ATS arrested him in Thane on Thursday, following which he was produced before a special court which remanded him in ATS custody until Monday.
The ATS has registered a case against him under Sections 3(1) (b), 5 (a) of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 and Section 61(2) of the Indian Penal Code, 2023.