Delhi police in India have arrested a wing commander of the country’s air force on charges of leaking sensitive defence-related information. Investigators suspect he may be linked to a wider spy network. He has been charged under India’s Official Secrets Act, Indian media reported. The allegations are untested.
Police say the officer was arrested on 30 May this year, on the basis of a complaint by Indian Air Force authorities. After initial questioning, a Delhi court sent him to Tihar jail. He is currently in judicial custody and, officials say, has not applied for bail since his arrest.
According to investigators, the officer became involved in contact with a woman on social media. Police suspect the woman was working for a Pakistani intelligence agency. The contact reportedly began during a difficult period in the officer’s personal life, investigators said, and later grew closer through online chats and video calls.
Police allege that during this contact the officer sent sensitive documents and other defence-related information to the woman digitally. Exactly what information or documents were exchanged has not been made public. Investigators believe strategically important information may have been among them.
As another important aspect of the case, the agencies are also investigating the installation of a specific mobile app. Investigators claim the officer had asked a colleague to install the app on a phone. The app is suspected of functioning as spyware or remote-access malware. Forensic examination of electronic devices is under way to determine whether it allowed data collection, location tracking or monitoring of conversations.
Investigators had reportedly kept the officer under surveillance earlier before handing him to the relevant investigating agency. A key aim of the investigation now is to identify the actual recipients of the alleged information and to determine whether any foreign handler or wider spy network was active behind it.
A chargesheet was filed in court on 30 July, officials said. As the matter is now sub judice, the final truth of the allegations depends on the court trial and further inquiry.
The case has raised fresh concern in India over the targeting of defence-force members through social media and the potential collection of intelligence through cyber technology. Investigating agencies are examining foreign contacts, possible routes of information leakage, and whether anyone else was involved.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report