MEA Contract Worker Arrested In Espionage Case, Shared Sensitive Information On 'Karachi Number'

A contract worker employed at India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been arrested on charges of espionage.

A contract worker employed at India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been arrested on charges of espionage. ( Image Source :Special Arrangement )

A contract worker employed at India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been arrested on charges of espionage. Acting on information provided by the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Ghaziabad police apprehended a man identified as Naveen Pal in the Crossing Republik township. According to the investigation, Naveen Pal allegedly transmitted numerous intelligence documents from MEA, as well as information related to the G20 meeting, to an individual located in Karachi via WhatsApp.

The Ghaziabad Police with the central agency is currently interrogating Naveen Pal in relation to the espionage activities.

Further investigations revealed that Naveen Pal had established contact with a woman through social media, subsequently communicating with her via WhatsApp. The virtual number registered on WhatsApp was initially traced to Bareilly, but the agency's analysis of the number's IP address revealed its origin to be in Karachi.

During the arrest, incriminating documents from the MEA and G20 were discovered on Naveen Pal's mobile phone, labelled as classified.

The investigation has also brought attention to a woman from Alwar who is allegedly linked to the case. The agency has identified a money transfer from the PayTM account of the woman in Alwar to Naveen Pal's account.

Espionage In Finance Ministry: Delhi Police Arrests Contractual Employee For Leaking Data

Earlier, the Delhi Police had booked a contractual employee of the Finance Ministry under the Officials Secret Act over accusation of indulging in "espionage" activities. Sumit, a data entry operator, was identified as a contractual employee. According to the police, he was detained for providing classified information to other nations and engaging in espionage in exchange for money.

The Delhi Police Crime Branch busted the espionage network that was leaking sensitive information about the Finance Ministry. One mobile phone that he was using to share secret information about the Ministry of Finance was retrieved from his possession during his cursory search. A case was opened by the Delhi Police Crime Branch under FIR No. under the Official Secrets Act on Tuesday, 17/23.