A Nagpur court has convicted and sentenced former Brahmos engineer, Nishant Agarwal, to life imprisonment for spying for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency. Agarwal, a senior system engineer with Brahmos Aerospace, was arrested in 2018 for leaking sensitive information about the Brahmos missile to ISI operatives. The court found Agarwal guilty under sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and imposed a fine of ₹3,000.
A key player in India’s defense sector, Brahmos Aerospace is responsible for developing the country’s supersonic cruise missile, which can be launched from land, air, and sea. Investigators revealed that Agarwal used Facebook to communicate with ISI handlers under the aliases “Neha Sharma” and “Pooja Ranjan” and shared sensitive details about the missile.
The incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of Indian defense officials to online targeting by foreign intelligence agencies. According to investigators, Agarwal’s casual approach to social media and willingness to engage with unknown individuals made him an easy target. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and caution when using social media, especially for those working in sensitive sectors.
Prior to his arrest, Agarwal was considered a promising scientist and had received the Young Scientist Award from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for his contributions to technology development. However, his actions have not only compromised national security but also tarnished the reputation of the Indian scientific community.
The verdict sends a strong message that espionage and unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information will not be tolerated. It is expected to deter potential spies and serve as a warning to those considering engaging in such activities.
