Daijiworld Media Network – Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam, Oct 18: A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court in Visakhapatnam has sentenced two key foreign-linked espionage operatives in the high-profile naval spying case to five and a half years and six years in jail. Mohammad Haroon Haji Abdul Rehman Lakdawala of Mumbai received five-and-a-half years of simple imprisonment, while Imran Yakub Giteli of Godhra, Gujarat, was sentenced to six years of simple imprisonment. Both were convicted under Sections 17 and 18 of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), underscoring the grave threat their actions posed to national security.

With this latest sentencing, four individuals have so far been convicted in the sophisticated espionage racket that compromised sensitive data from vital Indian Navy installations. The NIA took over the case in December 2019, uncovering a massive international espionage network allegedly orchestrated by Pakistani intelligence agencies. The investigation has so far led to the arrest of 15 accused, including 11 Indian Navy personnel, revealing deep penetration into sensitive defence establishments not only in Visakhapatnam but also at naval bases in Karwar and Kochi.

The agency’s probe exposed a well-coordinated operation designed to procure and leak classified information regarding Indian Navy ships, submarines, and their movements. The operatives used honey-traps and illegal funding to achieve their objectives.

Pakistani handlers, often using fake social media profiles, would contact individuals associated with naval or other defence infrastructure and employ ‘honey-trap’ tactics. Recruited agents collected and shared sensitive defence-related information with their handlers through communication channels such as WhatsApp.

The funding mechanism for this espionage network was complex. Lakdawala and Giteli, who had relatives in Pakistan and visited the country, engaged in illegal cross-border trade of garments and other goods through unauthorised channels. Money from this illicit business was then routed to pay naval personnel and civilian agents for intelligence they provided.

Lakdawala and Giteli were arrested in May and September 2020, respectively, and were confirmed to be acting as agents for foreign intelligence networks, directly threatening India’s sovereignty and integrity. The NIA continues to pursue other accused, including Pakistani operatives who masterminded the racket and remain at large.