Punjab man arrested in Rajasthan for spying for Pakistan, helped set up Indian WhatsApp accounts for handlers

Officials said that the Ferozepur resident, Prakash Singh alias Badal, was arrested under the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

Updated on: Dec 1, 2025, 20:47:26 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

A Punjab resident has been arrested by Rajasthan's CID (Intelligence) for allegedly collecting classified information regarding the Indian Army and passing it over to a Pakistani handler, officials reportedly said on Monday.

An official said that Badal was gathering sensitive information linked to the army in Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat and sending it to a Pakistani handler. (Pexel/Representative Image)

The Ferozepur resident, identified as Prakash Singh alias Badal, was detained near a military establishment in Ganganagar, and later arrested under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, news agency PTI reported, citing officials.

Inspector General (Intelligence) Prafful Kumar said that the CID had been monitoring suspected espionage activity linked to Pakistani intelligence agencies when Badal came under their radar.

ALSO READ | YouTuber Wasim Akram arrested for ‘spying’ for ISI, Pak high commission in Haryana

"During surveillance, it emerged that Prakash Singh was in contact with Pakistan's ISI through social media. He was gathering sensitive information linked to the army in Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat and sending it to a Pakistani handler," Kumar said.

The 34-year-old was seen near Ganganagar's Sadulwali military station on November 27, officials said. A border intelligence team then picked him up, following which a preliminary check of his mobile number revealed that he was actively in contact with foreign and Pakistani WhatsApp numbers.

Badal had reportedly been in touch with the ISI since May this year and had allegedly shared details about Army vehicles, military installations, border-area geography, railway lines, bridges and ongoing construction projects, the officer added.

ALSO READ | Alwar man held for spying for Pakistan’s ISI; sixth espionage arrest in Rajasthan

The CID also learnt that Badal was allegedly involved in helping the creation of several Indian WhatsApp accounts for the Pakistani handlers. He allegedly got one-time passwords (OTPs) sent to Indian mobile numbers and gave them to the Pakistan-based operatives to activate WhatsApp accounts for espionage and other anti-national activities, officials added.

Badal reportedly received money for all of these things.

The probing department said that following extensive questioning at the central interrogation centre in Jaipur and a technical analysis of his devices, the allegations against Badal were confirmed.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.

Last week, police in Haryana's Nuh arrested a lawyer for allegedly spying and passing information to Pakistan's ISI.

The arrest was made on the basis of an input by a central investigative agency, officials said, news agency PTI reported. The lawyer was said to have been practising in the Gurugram court.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.