Mumbai: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a 27-year-old Thane resident for allegedly leaking sensitive information about Indian naval assets to Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) via social media.
The accused, Ravindra Murlidhar Verma, worked as a junior mechanical engineer with Krasney Defence Technologies Ltd, a private firm subcontracted for the repair and maintenance of Indian Navy and Coast Guard vessels. According to ATS officials, Verma had authorized access to restricted naval dockyard areas in Mumbai and is accused of sharing classified information regarding naval warships and submarines between November 2024 and March 2025.
ATS sources revealed that Verma transmitted sensitive details including defect reports and operational statuses of warships over WhatsApp including undergoing repairs and upgradation of warships and submarine at the dockyard. He was allegedly found to have shared classified data related to naval warships and dockyard operations.
According to ATS sources, Verma was reportedly honey-trapped by two PIO agents who posed as women on Facebook using fake identities. After identifying Verma’s connection to the naval dockyard, the operatives initiated contact, showing keen interest in naval ships and warships.
Investigations revealed that both PIO agents conducted extensive scrutiny before targeting Verma, who had publicly mentioned his employment at the firm which works at naval shipyard. PIO agent cultivated an online relationship with him, expressing interest in the Indian Navy, warships, and submarines. According to the sources during their chats, the PIO, inquired about naval ship, cost guard vessel as well as warships and submarines anchored at the dockyard jetty.
Despite strict regulations prohibiting mobile phones inside the naval dockyard, Verma allegedly provided detailed insights into the status of naval and coast guard vessels undergoing maintenance and the defect report of the warships. The operatives, under the guise of casual conversation, extracted classified details about ships, submarines, and their repair issues.
Simultaneously, Verma was targeted by another PIO agent who also initiated contact via Facebook and later switched to WhatsApp. According to sources, Verma believed he was dating both female and anticipated meeting them soon, unaware that both were PIO agents.
Their interaction began in November 2024, leading to a romantic relationship through which Verma was persuaded to share classified information.
Acting on intelligence inputs, the ATS initiated an investigation that led to Verma’s arrest. He was booked under Sections 3(1)(b) and 5(a) of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, as well as Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, for unlawful communication of sensitive government information and endangering national security.
Verma was produced before a court and has been remanded in ATS custody until June 2. Apart from Verma, two Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) accused of orchestrating the espionage plot.
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