The 52-year-old retired military officer, Babu
Vellore : A 52-year-old retired military officer from Keelvallam near Vellore has been arrested for spying and leaking defence secrets to a woman on WhatsApp in Vellore. The accused, identified as Babu, served in the Army for 28 years before retiring a year ago as Captain. Police booked him under section 152 of BNS and sections 3 (1) (c) and 5 (1) (a) of the Official Secrets Act, 1923.
Babu was approached by an unidentified woman via WhatsApp about year ago, according to sources. Under the pretext of working on a DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) project, the woman sought sensitive details concerning military from him, police said. Police said further probe involving National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other central intelligence agencies are likely in the coming days.
He was booked on multiple counts including spying and leaking classified information, posing a threat to sovereignty, unity and integrity of India. The two grew close, frequently engaging in detailed conversations and video calls. Acting on a tip off, central intelligence operatives picked up Babu from his residence, and brought him to the Vellore taluk police station. Following two days of intensive joint interrogation, he was formally handed over to local police.
He was detained and interrogated by central intelligence agencies for two days before being handed over to police, who arrested him on Sunday.