‘Honeytrapped’ Thane man arrested for sharing sensitive information with Pakistan: Report

According to officials, the man was as a junior engineer with a firm involved in defence technology.

Published on: May 29, 2025, 21:09:43 IST

By HT News Desk

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The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a Thane-based man for providing sensitive information to a Pakistani intelligence agent, who honey-trapped him on social media, PTI reported on Thursday, citing officials.

The man has been identified as 27-year-old Ravindra Murlidhar Verma, a resident of Kalwa in neighbouring Thane city.

According to officials, Verma works as a junior engineer with a firm involved in defence technology.

"Verma was working as a junior engineer with a firm involved in defence technology. As an employee of the company, he had access to enter the Naval Dockyard in south Mumbai and he used to work at the naval ships," an unidentified official was quoted as saying.

The official added that Verma was honey-trapped by a Pakistani agent who posed as a woman and befriended him on Facebook.

Also Read | Rajasthan government employee held over suspicion of ‘spying’ for Pakistan

He was found to have shared sensitive information about a vital installation with the 'Pakistan Intelligence Operative' (PIO) through WhatsApp from November 2024 to March 2025, the official added.

Verma was arrested by the Thane unit of the ATs based on a tip off. After interrogation, he was placed under arrest for his alleged involvement in the crime.

The 27-year-old has been charged under section 3 of the Official Secrets Act that deals with espionage, and section 61 (2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to PTI, he was produced before a court, which sent him to the ATS custody till Monday.

Also Read | NIA arrests CRPF personnel in Delhi for allegedly spying for Pakistan

The ATS is also examining his mobile phones and gadgets used in sharing vital information through the social media platform with the Pakistani agent.

Earlier, a 20-year-old college dropout was arrested in Kangra on suspicion of spying after sensitive and objectionable content was found on his mobile phone.

This was the first such arrest in Himachal Pradesh as part of a larger crackdown on espionage networks after Operation Sindoor, launched by India on May 7 in response to an April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. Since then, at least seven suspects have been arrested in Punjab and Haryana for alleged spying activities for Pakistan.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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