A serving 31-year-old Indian Navy sailor has been arrested in Coimbatore for allegedly sharing sensitive defence information with a woman suspected to be linked to Pakistani intelligence, officials said. The arrest was made by the Andhra Pradesh Police Counter Intelligence Cell at INS Agrani on October 3.
Sailor Allegedly Trapped Through Social Media
The sailor, identified as Pradeep Mukherjee from West Bengal, reportedly joined the Indian Navy in 2014 and was posted with the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam.
According to investigators, a woman believed to be a Pakistani intelligence operative contacted him through social media several months ago. The two allegedly developed an online relationship, which investigators say was used to obtain sensitive information from him.
Sensitive Naval Information Allegedly Shared
Officials allege that information connected to strategic naval assets, fleet movements and operational arrangements at the Visakhapatnam naval base was shared with the suspected operative.
The Counter Intelligence Cell reportedly detected suspicious digital activity linked to the sailor and placed him under surveillance before moving in to make the arrest.
Arrest Made at INS Agrani
Mukherjee had reportedly been at INS Agrani for about a week to attend a management development course when the intelligence team arrested him. After his detention, he was produced before a local magistrate and investigators obtained a transit warrant to take him to Vijayawada for further questioning.
Probe Into Possible Data Leak Continues
Investigators are now trying to determine exactly what information was allegedly transmitted, how much data may have been compromised and whether anyone else was involved.
Officials are also examining possible financial transactions, including whether the sailor allegedly received money through digital channels or other means. The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations against the sailor have not yet been established in court.