The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested journalist Vivek Raghuvanshi and former Navy commander Ashish Pathak for procuring sensitive defence-related information and sharing it with foreign intelligence agencies, officials said on Wednesday.
Both Raghuvanshi and Pathak have been remanded to the CBI custody for six days by a special CBI court.
The duo were arrested under Section 3 (spying) of the Official Secrets Act and Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code on Tuesday following raids related to an investigation into the leaks
The CBI has alleged that Raghuvanshi and his family received Rs 3 crore originating from foreign shores.
“The CBI has seized 48 electronic devices, including laptops, tablets, mobile phones, hard disks, and pen drives, belonging to the FIR named accused [Raghuvanshi] and others associated with the said accused, during the searches,” a CBI spokesperson said.
A number of incriminating documents related to Indian defence establishments have also been seized, he said.
“Raghuvanshi was in contact with several foreign entities/agents/persons, and he had entered into contracts/agreements with several foreign entities for sharing of confidential information. It was also alleged that the accused and his family members had received a substantial amount from foreign sources,” said the spokesperson.
