Civilian Employee Arrested for Alleged Espionage, Received Rs 3.25 Lakh from Pakistan Handlers
The intelligence wing of the Rajasthan police has made serious allegations against Sumit Kumar, a civilian employee who was arrested on espionage charges from the Air Force Station in Chabua, Assam, on Sunday. According to investigators, Kumar received approximately Rs 3.25 lakh in exchange for passing sensitive information to handlers based in Pakistan.
Deletion of Evidence and Court Custody
Kumar is also accused of deliberately deleting crucial chats and data from his mobile phone in an attempt to conceal evidence of his alleged crimes. A court in Jaipur on Monday remanded him to custody until April 2. Investigators have stated that he will undergo extensive interrogation to establish the full extent of the espionage network he was part of and to uncover the precise nature of the classified information he leaked.
Background and Arrest Details
A resident of Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, Kumar was employed at the Chabua Air Force Station in Assam's Dibrugarh district. He had previously been posted in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, which serves as the headquarters of the Indian Air Force's Eastern Air Command. His arrest followed a joint operation conducted by the Rajasthan police and Air Force intelligence on Sunday.
Connection Through Social Media and Financial Transactions
According to Prafful Kumar, the additional director general (Intelligence), the accused came into contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives via social media platforms. He had allegedly been transmitting classified material to them since 2023. "He was sharing confidential information in exchange for money. So far, transactions amounting to nearly Rs 3.25 lakh have been traced," the ADG explained. "We need to determine the exact nature of the information he shared and identify his handlers in Pakistan," he added.
Investigation Momentum and Network Links
The investigation into this case gained significant momentum on January 30 with the arrest of Jaisalmer resident Jhabraram, who subsequently led authorities to Kumar. "His name emerged as a key link in the network, following which he was placed under surveillance," an official closely involved with the investigation revealed.
Nature of Sensitive Information and Covert Communication
Authorities suspect that Kumar misused his position to access highly sensitive information related to Air Force operations. This reportedly includes details about fighter aircraft deployment, missile systems, and personnel stationed at Air Force facilities in Chabua and Nal in Bikaner. Pakistani handlers are believed to have used fake social media profiles to maintain covert communication with Kumar, as per official statements.
Strategic Importance of Chabua Air Force Station
The Chabua Air Force Station, located near the international borders with China and Myanmar, is a critical strategic defence facility. Its proximity to these borders underscores the potential severity of the information leak, raising concerns about national security implications.
