The Antiterorist Group of Maharashtra (ATS) arrested on May 29, based on Thane, a Thane engineer for the accusation of providing sensitive information to Pakistan’s intelligence agent who allegedly captured him on social media, the officials said.
The accused was identified as 27 -year -old ravindra Murlidhar Verma. According to PTI, Kalwa is a resident in the neighboring city of Thane, Mahari, the official said on Thursday. Reportedly he worked as a junior engineer in the defense company.
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The clerk said that Verma, as an employee of the defense technology company, “had access to the maritime ship in southern Mumbai and worked on maritime ships.
Verma was reportedly in contact with a Pakistani agent since November 2024.
Here’s how ravindra verma ‘Speed’ for Pakistan
“Verma was captured by honey”
The clerk said Verma was imprisoned by a Pakistani agent who presented himself as a woman and made friends with him on Facebook. According to the police, he was lured into the transfer of classified information after he was imprisoned by a Pakistani agent acting as a woman on Facebook.
“It was found to share sensitive information about a major installation with a” Pakistani intelligence worker “(PIO) via WhatsApp from November 2024 to March 2025,” the official said.
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It started with a Facebook request
According to officials, Verma was in contact with the Pakistani agent since November 2024. They said that Verma received on Facebook requests for friendships from users with accounts such as Payal Sharma and Ispreet in 2024 he accepted.
When chatting with him, both account users – acting as women – initially told that they came from India and were working on a project for which information about warships were required, the official said.
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“After a few conversations, honey trapped him and started digging sensitive information about vital installations,” he said.
The clerk said Verma shared all sensitive information with Pakistani workers.
“He was very aware of what he was doing and to whom he had given sensitive information. He got money in exchange for information,” he said.
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What information did Verma share with the agent?
The police claimed that the engineer based in Thane shared sensitive information about warships and submarines to the Pakistani intelligence agency through sketches, diagrams and sound notes.
They said that Verma received money from various bank accounts in India and abroad.
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“During the investigation, it became clear that Verma shared sensitive information consciously and intentionally several times. In exchange for information he received money from various bank accounts from India and abroad,” PTI official said on Friday.
It was also found that he was sharing information about various warships and submarines to Pakistani intelligence (PIO), another official said.
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How did Verma share information with the agent then?
The official said Verma worked as a junior engineer with a defense technology company and based on his work he had access to the naval shipyard in southern Mumbai. “He would also go aboard naval ships and submarines,” the clerk said.
“During visiting the naval shipyard, he couldn’t wear a cell phone inside. After completing his work, he shared sensitive information about warships and submarines by making sketches or diagrams. Sometimes he would also share information through sound notes,” the official added.
“ATS is suspected of sharing the names of submarines and warships to Pakistani agent,” he said.
Case of espionage filed against ravindr verma
Against him, the case and two other people who were in contact with him were registered, according to Section 3 of the Act on the Official Secret that deals with espionage, and Section 61 (2) (criminal conspiracy) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhit (BNS).
According to PTI, the ATS Thane units took Verma on the basis of the tip.
“After the interrogation, Verma was arrested for his alleged involvement in the crime,” the official said. He was made in court, who sent him to the ATS by Monday.
“ATS examines its mobile phones and aids used in sharing vital information through the Pio social media platform,” the official said, adding, “Another probe was going on.”
(Tagstotranslate) ravindra Murlidhar verma
