No Bail for Engineer in Espionage Case: Naval Secrets Leak to Pakistan

A Thane court has denied bail to junior engineer Ravi Varma for allegedly leaking naval information to Pakistan. Accused of sharing sensitive secrets via WhatsApp for money, Varma faces 14 years in prison under the Official Secrets Act. The court cited risks like evidence tampering and aiding co-conspirators.

A Thane court in Maharashtra has declined bail for junior service engineer Ravi Varma, accused of leaking sensitive naval information to Pakistani nationals. The case highlights concerns over national security and the seriousness of the charges, which fall under the Official Secrets Act, potentially resulting in a 14-year sentence.

Employed by Crasni Technology Pvt Ltd, Varma allegedly exchanged details of Indian Navy ships and submarines for monetary gain from November 2024 to March 2025. Arrested in May 2025, Varma is suspected of sharing information through WhatsApp, a charge bolstered by financial transactions linked to absconding co-conspirators.

Despite Varma's claims of innocence and filing of the chargesheet, the court upheld the prosecution's arguments. Concerns were raised about Varma possibly influencing witnesses or aiding co-accused individuals if released. The decision emphasizes the gravity of protecting sensitive military information.

(With inputs from agencies.)