New Delhi: A Central Reserve Police Force jawan has been dismissed from service after being handed over to the National Investigation Agency for investigation into charges of sharing information with Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs), ThePrint has learnt.
Sources in the CRPF said that the accused, identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector level jawan Moti Ram Jat, was posted in Kashmir until he came under the scanner of senior officers keeping a tab on his social media usage.
Jat was questioned by CRPF officers and officials from central intelligence agencies before he was handed over to the NIA. The counter-terrorism agency arrested him after filing a case under relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.
“He has been arrested for indulging in espionage activity in passing sensitive info about intelligence inputs regarding operations conducted by security forces, location of security installations to Pakistani intelligence operatives in exchange for money,” a source said.
He was sent to 15-day custody of NIA Friday by Special NIA judge Chander Jit Singh of Patiala House Court in Delhi, in observance of the necessity of custodial interrogation of the accused due to wider ramifications.
“Armed forces are the pillar on which the strength and security of the nation are measured and are dependent upon. Any attempt to violate in such a manner that may lead to irreparable damage is an issue that requires investigation,” a source in possession of the court order quoted the judge as saying.
The same day, the CRPF dismissed Jat from service with immediate effect, a senior CRPF officer confirmed.
An NIA spokesperson said Monday that Moti Ram Jat was actively involved in the “espionage” activity, and had been sharing classified information with PIOs since 2023 and receiving funds for the same through conduits.
Notably, the CRPF is the largest paramilitary force in the country, and in Jammu and Kashmir, it is responsible for carrying out counter-terrorism operations and maintaining law and order.
The development comes at a time when law enforcement and intelligence agencies have intensified surveillance and crackdown on individuals in contact with Pakistan-based intelligence operatives.
So far this month, police forces across the states of Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh have arrested at least 19 people on charges varying from sharing sensitive information related to defence establishments, to being in touch with Pakistani nationals accused of extracting information through illegal channels.
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
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