In a significant verdict, a Nagpur court has sentenced former Brahmos Aerospace engineer Nishant Agarwal to life imprisonment for espionage on behalf of Pakistan’s ISI. Agarwal’s case, which unfolded in 2018, involved leaking sensitive information about the Brahmos missile to Pakistan’s intelligence agency.
Nishant Agarwal, a senior system engineer at Brahmos Aerospace, a prestigious joint venture between DRDO and Russia’s Military Industrial Consortium, was found guilty of passing crucial details about India’s supersonic cruise missile to ISI operatives. The Brahmos missile is capable of being launched from various platforms, including land, air, sea, and underwater.
The sentencing includes rigorous imprisonment for 14 years, coupled with a fine of ₹3,000. Special Public Prosecutor Jyoti Vajani confirmed that Agarwal was convicted under relevant sections of the IT Act and the Official Secrets Act, leading to his life imprisonment and monetary penalty.
Judge MV Deshpande, presiding over the case, emphasized the severity of Agarwal’s actions by invoking the Official Secrets Act and IT Act provisions. The court’s decision underscores the gravity of espionage activities that compromise national security.
Agarwal’s association with suspected ISI operatives through two Facebook accounts, Neha Sharma and Pooja Ranjan, based in Islamabad, raised alarms during the investigation. This marked the first espionage scandal involving Brahmos Aerospace, shocking colleagues and industry observers alike, given Agarwal’s accolades as a Young Scientist award winner from DRDO.
Authorities highlighted Agarwal’s lax approach to online security, despite his pivotal role in sensitive defense projects. This case serves as a reminder of the vigilance required in safeguarding national security secrets, even within reputed organizations like Brahmos Aerospace.
Sources By Agencies
