Ravindra Verma, a 27-year-old junior engineer, has been arrested by the Maharashtra ATS for allegedly sharing confidential information with a Pakistani intelligence operative.

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad (ATS) on Wednesday arrested a 27-year-old junior engineer who worked for a private company that undertook jobs for the defence establishment. The accused, Ravindra Verma, was “honey-trapped” and allegedly provided confidential information to a Pakistani intelligence operative through a social media platform.The accused, who stayed on rent in Thane, worked in Mumbai. “We got specific information about a WhatsApp number which was being operated by a Pakistani operative. We worked on the information and questioned the accused. He was later placed under arrest,” said a senior ATS officer.

The Pakistani operative used a woman’s name and sent a friend request to the accused on Facebook. The operative and the arrested accused chatted through WhatsApp. The engineer sent sensitive information to the operative, said a police source. The accused also received money through online transactions, said a cop.The accused was produced before a court in Thane which sent him in police custody till June 2. An FIR against the accused was lodged on May 28 under Official Secrets Act and BNS. Two persons, a Pakistani operative and another Indian, are wanted in the case.“During the interrogation, it was found that the suspect had met the Pakistani operative through Facebook in November 2024. It was found that the suspect periodically provided confidential information in the areas restricted by the govt of India to the said operative through WhatsApp from November 2024 to March 2025,” said ATS in a press note. An officer said the accused leaked vital information about some sensitive places. The police source added they received information about the WhatsApp number used by the operative. When its internet protocol (IP) address was checked, it was found to be in Pakistan. The operative was using a fake social media account. The arrested accused was a contractual employee of the company that had undertaken a job for a govt organisation, said cops. The accused worked in the premises of the defence area. Cops are also examining his phone and social media handles. Meanwhile, investigators are also checking if the operative befriended anyone else.