In a dramatic legal turnaround, a higher court has exonerated BrahMos Aerospace scientist Nishant Agarwal of the grave charges of spying for Pakistan that had once sent shockwaves through India's defence establishment. The court found no evidence to prove he intentionally passed on classified missile data to operatives linked to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
From 14-Year Sentence to Acquittal: The Court's Ruling
The verdict marks a stunning reversal of fortune for Agarwal. A lower court had previously convicted him and handed down a stringent 14-year prison sentence. The fresh ruling from the higher court has now overturned the core espionage accusations framed under the stringent Information Technology Act and the Official Secrets Act.
The only charge that was upheld against him was the unauthorized possession of official documents on a personal laptop. For this offence, he received a three-year sentence, a term he has already completed during the legal proceedings. The court concluded that while Agarwal may have been careless in handling sensitive information, the prosecution failed to establish he was a spy acting with malicious intent.
The 2018 Arrest and the 'Sejal' Honey Trap Allegation
The case originated with Agarwal's arrest in 2018, after investigators discovered sensitive files related to the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile program on his personal computer. The investigation alleged that he was targeted by a woman using the pseudonym "Sejal", who posed as a fake recruiter.
This operative reportedly sent him malware disguised as job-application tools, potentially compromising his device. This angle formed the crux of the initial espionage case, raising alarms about a possible significant breach in India's defence secrets.
Closure and Concerns: The Aftermath of the Verdict
This verdict brings a long-awaited closure to a case that had initially sparked fears of one of the most serious defence leaks in recent memory. It also starkly exposes the persistent gaps in cybersecurity awareness and protocols within India's strategic institutions.
The judgment underscores the critical difference between criminal intent and negligence, ultimately saving a scientist from a life-altering conviction for espionage. However, it serves as a potent reminder for defence and research organizations to continuously fortify their digital safeguards and employee training against sophisticated cyber threats like phishing and honey traps.
