Two More Convicted in Pakistan-Linked Visakhapatnam Navy Espionage Case

November 7, 2025

New Delhi: Two more accused have been sentenced to five years and 10 months of Simple Imprisonment (SI) in the Pakistan-linked Visakhapatnam Navy espionage case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Friday.

The NIA Special Court in Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) convicted Kalavalapalli Konda Babu from Visakhapatnam district and Aviansh Somal from Kangra district (Himachal Pradesh) under Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A] and Section 3 of the Official Secrets Act.

The court also imposed a fine of ₹5,000 each, with an additional one-year SI in case of default.

“With this, a total of six accused persons have been convicted and sentenced so far in the case related to spying at vital Indian Navy installations by foreign agents with the intent to threaten India’s unity, integrity, and security,” the NIA said in a statement.

Espionage Links and Arrests

Both Konda Babu and Somal were arrested in December 2019 — from Mumbai (Maharashtra) and Karwar (Karnataka) respectively — during the probe into Case RC-05/2019/NIA/HYD.

NIA investigations revealed that the two were in touch with Pakistani intelligence operatives via WhatsApp and had shared classified defence information, including details of Indian Navy deployments.

They reportedly came into contact with Pakistani intelligence agents through Facebook, receiving monetary rewards for providing sensitive information.

The funds were allegedly routed through previously convicted accused Abdul Rehman, Haroon Lakdawala, Shaista Qaiser, and Imran Giteli, who acted on instructions from Pakistani handlers.

Wider Investigation

The NIA took over the investigation from the Counter-Intelligence Police Station, Intelligence Department, Vijayawada in December 2019, following the unearthing of a network involved in leaking information from Indian Navy establishments.

In June 2020, the agency filed a charge sheet against 14 accused, followed by a supplementary charge sheet in March 2021 against one more person.

A total of 15 individuals have been arrested in the case to date, with further investigation and trial against the remaining accused continuing, the NIA confirmed.