BrahMos Scientist Acquitted of Sharing Defense Secrets
Nishant Agarwal, a scientist formerly employed at BrahMos Aerospace Limited, has been acquitted of major charges related to allegedly passing sensitive defense secrets to Pakistan. Agarwal was initially arrested in October 2018.
Acquittal Details
The higher judiciary has overturned the lower court's decision, absolving Agarwal of charges under the Information Technology Act and the Official Secrets Act. The initial sentence of 14 years in prison has been dropped.
Remaining Conviction and Release
Agarwal's only remaining conviction is for possessing official documents on his personal device. He had been sentenced to three years for this offense. However, having already served this time during his detention, he is now eligible for immediate release.
Background of the Case
Agarwal's arrest in 2018 was the result of a joint operation by Military Intelligence (MI) and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. The investigation revealed that sensitive documents related to the BrahMos missile were found on his personal computer, violating BrahMos Aerospace's security protocols.
Malware and Espionage
The investigation suggested that Agarwal was targeted by Pakistani intelligence operatives through social media. He was allegedly tricked into installing malware on his personal laptop. The malware, disguised as legitimate applications, stole classified information.
Apps Used in the Alleged Espionage:
- Qwhisper
- Chat to Hire
- X-trust
LinkedIn Connection
Agarwal reportedly connected with an individual on LinkedIn, posing as a recruiter from Hays Aviation in the UK. This individual, known as "Sejal", allegedly showed interest in hiring him and used this connection to share data and tips to deceive Indian defense staffers.
