BEL Engineer Faces Espionage Charges for Alleged Data Sharing with Pakistan
Joint Interrogation and Suspected Cryptocurrency Payments
A senior engineer at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bengaluru is under scrutiny for allegedly divulging vital national secrets to Pakistani intelligence agents. The 36-year-old employee, identified by the surname Chandra, is currently being interrogated jointly by military and state intelligence.
Cryptocurrency Transactions Raise Red Flags
- Military Intelligence discovered that Chandra received payments from a Pakistani Intelligence Operative (PIO) through a suspected cryptocurrency account.
- These transactions raised concerns that Chandra was either being groomed by or compensated for providing sensitive information to Pakistan.
Classified Data Shared via Encrypted Platforms
During questioning, intelligence agencies learned that the accused had been transmitting classified information through encrypted platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and email. Further evidence indicated that Chandra had illicitly obtained data from other BEL departments.
Leaked Sensitive Information
- Details about communication and radar systems
- Operating systems
- Production systems
- Security measures at BEL
- Information about senior defence officials
Internal Investigation and Forensic Analysis
An internal BEL investigation corroborated the senior engineer’s involvement in the critical data leak. The accused engineer’s laptop and mobile phone have been confiscated and will be sent for further analysis to the Cloud Investigation and Response Automation (CIRA) laboratory, operated by the Ministry of Defence.
