Indian Navy Sailor Arrested Over Alleged Pakistan-Linked Sensitive Data Leak

Mukherjee joined the Indian Navy in 2014 and was posted under the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam; reports say he arrived at INS Agrani about a week before his arrest.
Investigators reportedly began monitoring Mukherjee after detecting suspicious digital activity, then obtained clearance from naval authorities before arresting him.
Before taking Mukherjee to Vijayawada, investigators produced him before a local magistrate and obtained a transit warrant; local police were also informed of the arrest.
The probe is also examining whether any alleged payments were routed through hawala networks or digital channels.
An Indian Navy sailor was arrested in Coimbatore on October 3 over allegations that he shared classified naval intelligence with a Pakistani operative through a social media scheme. Hindustan Times reported that Pradeep Mukherjee, 31, was taken into custody by Andhra Pradesh Police's Counter Intelligence cell while attending a leadership course at INS Agrani. Investigators say a woman with suspected links to Pakistani intelligence contacted him online and obtained sensitive information about naval assets, fleet movements, and operations tied to the Visakhapatnam base and Eastern Naval Command.
The arrest came after authorities detected suspicious digital activity linked to Mukherjee and obtained clearance from naval officials before moving in. Deccan Chronicle reported that the probe is examining whether he received payment for the leaked information and if any funds were routed through hawala networks or digital channels. The allegations have not been proven in court, and the investigation remains ongoing.
According to Daily Pioneer, the woman suspected of Pakistani intelligence links targeted Mukherjee through social media using a "honey-trap" scheme. She built a relationship with the sailor online and gradually gained his trust before requesting sensitive naval information. ETV Bharat confirmed that the operative obtained classified maritime intelligence related to fleet movements and base operations through these communications.
Mukherjee joined the Indian Navy in 2014 and was posted under the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, according to Daily Hunt. He had arrived at INS Agrani about a week before his arrest to attend a naval leadership course. The facility in Coimbatore is a training center where officers and sailors complete advanced instruction programs.
Police began monitoring Mukherjee after detecting unusual digital activity connected to his accounts. Before transferring him for questioning, investigators produced him before a local magistrate and obtained a transit warrant to move him to Vijayawada, per Hindustan Times. Local police were also notified of the arrest as part of standard procedure. Investigators are now assessing what classified information may have been shared and whether any payments were involved.
A key part of the ongoing investigation is determining whether Mukherjee received compensation for the leaked data. Deccan Chronicle reported that authorities are examining whether any payments were routed through hawala networks—informal money transfer systems used to move funds without official banking channels—or through digital payment methods. Tracking these financial connections could help investigators establish the extent of the operation.
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