In a significant verdict, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has acquitted former BrahMos Aerospace engineer Nishant Aggarwal of serious espionage charges, setting aside a life sentence and freeing him after he spent over seven years in prison. The 34-year-old award-winning engineer, who maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal, now speaks of gaining invaluable experience and is ready to embark on the next chapter of his life.
From Promising Career to Prison Cell
Nishant Aggarwal's life took a dramatic turn on October 8, 2018, when he was arrested by the Anti-Terror Squad of the Uttar Pradesh Police. At the time, he was a newlywed, having been married to his wife Kshitija for just five months and 20 days. His career was on a stellar trajectory, having received the DRDO's 'Young Scientist Award' in 2017-18 for his work at BrahMos Aerospace, the prestigious Indo-Russian joint venture developing supersonic cruise missiles.
The charges against him were grave. He was accused of leaking sensitive technical information to Pakistani intelligence agencies via LinkedIn. A sessions court convicted him under Section 66(f) of the Information Technology Act and major sections of the Official Secrets Act, sentencing him to life imprisonment in 2024. This conviction came as a shock after he had secured bail in 2023, resumed his life, and even landed a new job in business management.
The High Court's Verdict and Legal Reasoning
On December 3, 2025, the Bombay High Court delivered a verdict that overturned his life sentence. The court observed that the prosecution had failed to prove the core allegations. The prosecution could not establish that any sensitive data was transmitted to "enemy entities" or that Aggarwal had the necessary intent to threaten India's unity or safety.
In its detailed 49-page judgment, the court noted key gaps in the case. The chats presented as evidence showed a person from Pakistan inviting Aggarwal for a job interview and asking him to download malware-disguised software. However, the investigating officer admitted Aggarwal did not send any departmental documents on LinkedIn. Furthermore, a BrahMos executive testified that his superiors never complained about him misusing his computer.
The court did, however, hold him guilty of procedural violations under Section 5(1)(d) of the Official Secrets Act for transferring 19 files from his official laptop to his personal device. This offence carries a maximum sentence of three years. Having already served a cumulative seven years and two months behind bars, the High Court ordered his immediate release.
Resilience Behind Bars and a Family's Struggle
Throughout his incarceration, Aggarwal clung to the belief in his innocence. "I knew from the first day that I was innocent… that kept me going, and still does," he stated. He survived prison by imposing a strict routine of exercise, yoga, meditation, and study. This discipline allowed him to complete a Master's degree in Political Science from IGNOU and even compile a collection of poems written during his lowest moments.
His greatest anguish was for his family. His wife Kshitija was pregnant when he was convicted and has raised their now 18-month-old son largely alone. "My family suffered a lot. I was inside, but they were the ones facing social media, society, people, relatives. Everything took a toll," Aggarwal reflected. Kshitija, speaking about the past seven years, said, "People thought, 'Nishant must have done something'… My baby could not meet his father… I felt like I couldn't even breathe, but now it's okay."
Looking Ahead: A New Path Forward
Cleared of the espionage stigma, Aggarwal is not bitter but focused on the future. He believes his years in prison have enriched him with experience, not stolen time. With an Executive MBA from IIM-Lucknow, his new qualifications in political science, and his technical background, he is confident about rebuilding his career, possibly in Uttar Pradesh or Bhopal.
"The perspective is the same. The fire was there in my eyes on October 8, 2018, and that fire has only doubled. I am ready to run a full marathon now," he declared, quoting a poem he wrote in jail: "What has passed was just a trailer, the movie is yet to come." His immediate plan is to reconnect with his young son and ageing parents, before stepping out to seize new opportunities, wiser and more determined than ever.
