Former Indian Army Personnel Convicted in Espionage Case

Saurabh Sharma, a former Indian Army signalman from Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, has been convicted by an NIA special court for his involvement in a Pakistan-operated espionage network. Sharma leaked sensitive military information to a pseudonymous Pakistani entity, receiving funds in return. He received a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment.

A former Indian Army personnel, Saurabh Sharma from Uttar Pradesh's Hapur district, has been convicted and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment by an NIA special court in a Pakistan-operated espionage case.

According to investigations, Sharma, who was a signalman in the Indian Army, was ensnared into an espionage network by a pseudonymous entity aligned with Pakistan's Defence/ISI agents, revealed an official statement by NIA on Wednesday.

Sharma disclosed restricted and confidential military information to this entity, named 'Neha Sharma,' which included sensitive details about Indian military installations. In return, Sharma received funds from Pakistani sources and the charge-sheeted co-accused, Anas Yakub Giteli. His sentences, totaling a maximum of five years, will run concurrently under various sections of IPC, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Official Secrets Act, the NIA added.

(With inputs from agencies.)