CBI Arrests Journalist For Leaking Army Information
A journalist is supposed to pass correct information, yes! But to the correct audience! Not classified information to different countries! Look at this where information is leaked and what happened ne
A few months back the Delhi Police had lodged an FIR against Journalist Vivek Raghuvanshi and former navy commander Ashish Pathak in connection with the leak of sensitive military information. Journalist Vivek Raghuvanshi, has over three decades of experience in reporting and writing on defence. Raghuvanshi is the India correspondent for ‘Defense News’ — an American defence news website that also covers politics, business and technology.
The investigation was later transferred to the CBI by the Delhi Police. The CBI got information that there is an international network in which some of the Indian journalists are supplying strategic/secret information to intelligence agencies of foreign enemy countries. Raghuvanshi had been on the CBI’s radar for over many months when they suspected him to be a part of the suspected network of journalists. Then CBI received information from a reliable source that he is involved in the illegal collection of sensitive information.
According to sources, Raghuvanshi, who lived in Jaipur with his family, had received over Rs 3 crore from “foreign sources” over a period of time and major chunks were also withdrawn. Sources also said that his wife is a suspect in the case as well. This income is not accounted for and is more than what he could have earned in his job profile.
Searches were conducted at 15 locations in Delhi and Jaipur, and 48 electronic devices — including laptops, tablets, mobile phones, hard disks and pen drives belonging to Raghuvanshi — and a number of “incriminating documents relating to Indian defence establishments” were seized. A CBI spokesperson on the 16th May 2023 said, “CBI lodged a new FIR against Vivek Raghuvanshi on the allegations that he was involved in the illegal collection of sensitive information which also included the minute details of the DRDO defence projects and their progress.”
“Also the sensitive details about the future of Indian armed forces which reveal the strategies of preparations of the country's classified (secret official) communications/information relating to national security and also, the details of talks of India with our friendly countries.” “After collecting them, he was sharing such classified information with the intelligence agencies of foreign countries.” The spokesperson added, “Raghuvanshi had entered into contracts/agreements with several foreign entities for sharing confidential information. The information, if brought out, could have spoiled India’s bilateral relations with these countries.
After the raids, Raghuvanshi and Pathak were arrested under the Official Secrets Act. People who know Raghuvanshi have also said he claimed to be working with a German multinational investment bank as its India investment consultant. He was allegedly “being paid” by European companies that deal in defence equipment for passing on information related to proposals and requirements by India. However, CBI has not specified Pathak’s exact role in the case.
