14 Indian Naval Warship Locations Compromised: Engineer Arrested For Leaking Sensitive Info To Pakistani Intelligence Operatives, ATS Investigation Reveals

Mumbai: In an investigation by the Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) into the leak of sensitive information regarding Indian naval assets to Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) via social media, it has been revealed that a 27-year-old junior service engineer, employed at a Mumbai-based private defense firm, allegedly leaked classified information related to 14 Indian naval warships to suspected Pakistani intelligence operatives (PIO). According to officials, verification by Naval Dockyard authorities confirmed that five of these locations were accurate and classified as "restricted information."

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Thane Unit, apprehended the accused, Ravi Muralidhar Verma (27), on Wednesday. A resident of Kharegaon, Kalwa (East), Verma was employed by Krasni Defence Technology Pvt. Ltd., a firm engaged in ship repair contracts for critical defense installations including Mazagon Dock, Naval Dockyard, the Indian Coast Guard, and Mumbai Port Trust. Verma worked in the electrical department at the company’s Energy Distribution Centre and was frequently deployed to restricted naval bases across Maharashtra and other states.

During custodial interrogation, Verma admitted to being in contact with two suspected Pakistani intelligence operatives via WhatsApp and sharing sensitive information about naval warship locations and repair details.

The ATS recovered crucial digital evidence, including videos, audio files, images, and documents exchanged between Verma and one of the PIOs, who operated under the alias “Priti Jaiswal,” and was saved in Verma’s contacts as “Aakriti College Friend.” Despite Verma’s attempts to archive the chats to evade detection, forensic analysis retrieved the complete communication trail.

A key piece of evidence was a photograph of a notebook page dated March 12, 2025, in which Verma listed 14 naval warship names and their locations. The image was reportedly shared with the foreign handler. Upon verification, Naval Dockyard authorities confirmed that five of these ship locations were accurate and classified as "restricted information."

Another significant piece of evidence is an audio file recovered from the accused’s social media account contained a voice message from Verma to the handler dated March 11, 2025. In the message, Verma said:

"Sir kuch reply nahi de rahe, unka net shayd se band hai. Uno ye aaj ka update de dena. Aaj mein roundup pe gaya tha. So sari sari ship dekhi hai? Vo sari meine diary mein karke tumko kiya ki hai, Aur sir ko bhi kiya hai, par wo online nahi hai."

Here, Verma informed the handler that he had conducted a routine round-up and personally inspected the ships, noted their details in his diary, and shared the information with both the handler and another individual referred to as "Sir."

Sources indicate a larger criminal conspiracy involving Verma, "Priti Jaiswal," and an unidentified person known only as "Sir." Despite being aware of the sensitive nature and potential security risks, Verma willingly shared restricted naval information. The ATS is probing Verma’s motives and investigating the possible involvement of other individuals within the defense contractor’s network.

During the investigation, WhatsApp verification revealed that Verma had been contacted by four different numbers, each associated with distinct identities, including a "friend of Preeti," a "friend of Ishpreet," and two individuals identified as Ishpreet’s college friends. All conversations and shared data from these numbers are under scrutiny.

Verma revealed that his connection with “Priti Jaiswal” began on Facebook in November 2024. She later contacted him via WhatsApp and engaged in casual conversations. During these exchanges, Verma gradually disclosed details about his work. The PIO eventually cultivated an online romantic relationship with him, expressing a deep interest in the Indian Navy, warships, and submarines. By December 2024, she began requesting updates on ship assignments, movements, and defect logs. Claiming to be working on a research project related to naval vessels, she convinced Verma to assist her. Under this pretext, she extracted sensitive information. On March 12, 2025, Verma noted the locations of 14 naval ships in his notebook, took a photograph, and sent it to her via WhatsApp.

The ATS has registered cases against Ravi Muralidhar Verma, Priti Jaiswal (alias Aakriti College Friend), and the unidentified foreign handler “Sir” under Section 3(1)(b) and Section 5(a) of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indian Judicial Code), 2023.

The ATS is also investigating the possibility of blackmail as a contributing factor in the case.

news