NIA Cracks Down on Suspects in Visakhapatnam Espionage Case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted extensive searches at three locations in Gujarat and Maharashtra on Friday. These searches are related to the 2021 Visakhapatnam espionage case involving the Pakistani ISI.

The NIA searched the residences of suspects believed to have received money from Pakistan to spy on Indian defense establishments. During the searches, several incriminating materials, including mobile phones and documents, were seized.

The case was originally filed by the Counter Intelligence Cell, Andhra Pradesh, on January 12, 2021, under various sections of IPC, UA(P) Act, and Official Secrets Act, 1923. The NIA took over the case in June 2023 and filed a chargesheet against two accused, including an absconding Pakistani national, on July 19, 2023. This was followed by two more chargesheets against three others, including another Pakistani national.

Investigations revealed that Pakistani nationals had collaborated with the arrested accused in leaking sensitive information about the Indian Navy as part of a conspiracy to unleash terrorist violence in India. Further investigation in the case is underway.