In a major national security breach, Udupi district police in Karnataka arrested two contract workers from Uttar Pradesh on Friday, November 21, 2025, for allegedly leaking sensitive information about Indian Navy vessels to Pakistani contacts. The arrests highlight growing concerns about espionage activities targeting India’s defense manufacturing facilities.
What Happened: The Arrest
On Friday, November 21, 2025, Udupi district police arrested two individuals working at the Malpe unit of Cochin Shipyard on charges of espionage in favor of Pakistan. The arrested workers have been identified as Rohit, aged 29, and Santri, aged 37, both hailing from Sultanpur district in Uttar Pradesh.
The arrests followed a formal complaint lodged by the CEO of Cochin Shipyard after internal security protocols flagged suspicious activities. Both accused were employed on a contract basis through Sushma Marine Private Limited, working at the prestigious shipyard that constructs vessels for both the Indian Navy and private clients.
Cochin Shipyard, headquartered in Kerala with operations at Malpe in Udupi, is a major defense contractor involved in building tug vessels and warships for India’s naval fleet. The facility handles highly classified information regarding ship specifications, construction timelines, and naval equipment details.
Following their arrest, both individuals were produced before the court. Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar confirmed the arrests and stated that national investigative agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), may join the probe given the severity of the charges and implications for national security.
The Nature of Espionage
According to police sources and preliminary investigations, the two accused had been systematically transmitting confidential information related to shipbuilding and naval equipment to Pakistani contacts for approximately 18 months – one and a half years of continuous data breach.
Information Leaked
The sensitive data allegedly shared with Pakistani handlers included:
- Detailed ship construction specifications and blueprints
- Vessel identification numbers and classified ship lists
- Naval equipment details and technical specifications
- Construction timelines for vessels being built for the Indian Navy
- Information about ships being constructed for private clients
- Details about restricted areas within the shipyard facility
Method of Transmission
The accused used WhatsApp, the popular messaging platform, to share this classified information with their Pakistani contacts. Investigators found evidence of regular communication where sensitive documents, photographs, and technical details were transmitted through encrypted messaging.
Reports indicate that Rohit, who had previously worked in Kerala before being posted to the Malpe shipyard, allegedly shared classified ship lists and sensitive construction information through WhatsApp messages in exchange for monetary compensation. After his transfer to Malpe, he reportedly recruited his accomplice Santri, and together they continued providing classified data for financial gain.
The financial motive appears to be a primary driver, with both accused receiving regular payments from their Pakistani handlers in return for the sensitive naval intelligence they provided.
Who Are the Accused Workers?
Both arrested individuals are natives of Sultanpur district in Uttar Pradesh, working far from their home state in Karnataka’s coastal region.
Rohit (29 years old)
Rohit had prior experience working in Kerala at other shipyard facilities before being transferred to the Malpe unit of Cochin Shipyard. His previous employment gave him familiarity with naval construction processes and security protocols, knowledge he allegedly exploited for espionage activities.
Investigators believe Rohit initiated contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives and began sharing information during his time in Kerala. When he was posted to Malpe, he continued his espionage activities and expanded the operation by involving his colleague.
Santri (37 years old)
Santri, the older of the two accused, was reportedly recruited into the espionage network by Rohit after both were working together at the Malpe shipyard. His role involved providing additional access to classified areas and assisting in gathering and transmitting sensitive information.
Employment Details
Both workers were employed through Sushma Marine Private Limited, a contracting company that provides manpower to Cochin Shipyard. This contract employment arrangement raises questions about background verification processes and security clearances for individuals working in sensitive defense facilities.
As contract workers, they had access to shipyard premises and naval construction areas, providing them with opportunities to observe, photograph, and document sensitive information that would be valuable to foreign intelligence agencies.
Why This Matters for India
This espionage case has significant implications for India’s national security and defense preparedness.
Compromise of Naval Secrets
The Indian Navy is a critical component of India’s defense strategy, particularly given the country’s extensive coastline and maritime interests in the Indian Ocean region. Information about naval vessel specifications, capabilities, and construction timelines can provide adversaries with strategic advantages.
Knowledge of ship construction details, equipment specifications, and technical capabilities could enable enemy forces to identify vulnerabilities, plan countermeasures, and develop strategies to neutralize Indian naval assets during potential conflicts.
Defense Manufacturing Security
The breach highlights vulnerabilities in security protocols at defense manufacturing facilities. Despite being involved in sensitive naval projects, the facility employed contract workers through third-party agencies, raising concerns about:
- Adequacy of background verification processes
- Security clearance procedures for contract employees
- Monitoring and surveillance within restricted areas
- Information security protocols for handling classified data
- Regular security audits and compliance checks
Pakistan’s Intelligence Operations
The incident demonstrates Pakistan’s continued interest in gathering intelligence about India’s military capabilities. Pakistani intelligence agencies, particularly the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), have a documented history of running espionage networks within India targeting defense installations, military personnel, and defense contractors.
The use of financial incentives to recruit Indian citizens for espionage activities represents a significant threat that requires enhanced counterintelligence measures and better security awareness among personnel working in sensitive facilities.
Maritime Security Concerns
With China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean and Pakistan’s strategic alliance with China, any breach of Indian naval intelligence has broader geopolitical implications. The information gathered could potentially be shared among India’s adversaries, compromising maritime security strategies.
Reactions on X (Twitter)
The arrest has generated significant discussion on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), with security experts, defense analysts, and concerned citizens expressing alarm over the security breach.
Many users questioned how contract workers at a sensitive naval facility could maintain communication with Pakistani contacts for 18 months without detection. Defense experts highlighted the need for more robust security protocols and regular monitoring of personnel working in defense manufacturing facilities.
Several commentators emphasized the importance of thorough background checks and continuous security vetting for all individuals, including contract workers, who have access to classified information and restricted defense facilities.
The incident also sparked discussions about improving information security practices, implementing stricter mobile phone policies within defense facilities, and enhancing cybersecurity awareness among defense personnel and contractors.
Background: Similar Espionage Cases
This arrest is not an isolated incident. India has witnessed several espionage cases in recent years involving defense personnel and contractors leaking sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence operatives.
Previous Naval Espionage Incidents
In February 2025, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested three contract employees deployed at naval bases in Karnataka’s Karwar and Kerala’s Kochi for sharing sensitive information with Pakistani operatives. They were found to have been in contact with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives through social media platforms.
In June 2025, Rajasthan CID Intelligence arrested Vishal Yadav, an Upper Division Clerk at the Directorate of Dockyard in Naval Bhawan, Delhi, for leaking sensitive naval information to Pakistan. He was allegedly in contact with a Pakistani female handler using the alias “Priya Sharma” through social media.
In March 2024, Maharashtra’s Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested Kalpesh Baikar, a 31-year-old contract worker at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, for sharing confidential information about restricted areas with a Pakistan-based intelligence operative through social media.
Common Patterns
These cases reveal common patterns in Pakistan’s intelligence operations targeting Indian defense facilities:
- Use of social media platforms to establish initial contact
- Honey trap operations using fake profiles, often of women
- Financial incentives to recruit Indian citizens
- Targeting of contract workers and lower-level employees who may have financial vulnerabilities
- Long-term intelligence gathering operations lasting several months or years
- Use of encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp for communication
Investigation and Legal Process
The investigation into this espionage case is being led by Udupi district police under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar. Given the national security implications, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is expected to join the probe.
Charges Filed
The accused have been charged under the Official Secrets Act, which deals with espionage and unauthorized disclosure of classified information. The Act provides for severe penalties, including imprisonment, for individuals found guilty of spying or passing sensitive information to foreign entities.
Investigative Focus
Investigators are examining several key aspects:
- Identification of Pakistani handlers and their locations
- Total volume and nature of information leaked over 18 months
- Financial transactions and payment mechanisms used
- Communication records and digital evidence from seized devices
- Potential involvement of other individuals or a larger network
- How the accused evaded security protocols for such an extended period
- Assessment of damage caused to national security
Court Proceedings
Both accused have been produced before the court and are likely to be remanded to police custody for further interrogation. The investigation is expected to be extensive, involving forensic analysis of mobile devices, examination of bank records, and coordination with intelligence agencies to assess the full extent of the breach.
Key Takeaways
- Two UP workers arrested at Malpe Cochin Shipyard for leaking sensitive Indian Navy vessel data to Pakistan via WhatsApp for 18 months
- Accused received financial compensation in exchange for classified ship construction details and naval equipment specifications
- Incident highlights security vulnerabilities in defense manufacturing facilities, particularly regarding contract workers
- NIA expected to join investigation given national security implications
- Case follows pattern of similar espionage incidents targeting Indian naval facilities in recent years
- Raises concerns about background verification processes and security protocols for personnel at sensitive defense installations
Summary
The arrest of two Uttar Pradesh contract workers at Cochin Shipyard’s Malpe facility represents a significant national security breach. Rohit (29) and Santri (37), both from Sultanpur district, allegedly leaked sensitive Indian Navy vessel data to Pakistani contacts via WhatsApp for 18 months in exchange for money. The espionage operation compromised ship construction specifications, naval equipment details, and classified vessel information. The case, now being investigated by Udupi police with potential NIA involvement, highlights critical vulnerabilities in security protocols at defense manufacturing facilities. It follows a pattern of similar incidents where Pakistani intelligence operatives have successfully recruited Indian defense workers through social media and financial incentives. The arrests underscore the urgent need for enhanced background verification, stricter security measures, and improved counterintelligence practices at facilities handling classified defense information.
