Udupi: The Udupi police have arrested another accused in connection with a case involving employees linked to the Malpe–Cochin Shipyard Limited, who allegedly shared confidential information related to the Indian Navy with Pakistan in exchange for money. With the latest arrest, the total number of accused held in the case has increased to three, police officials confirmed.
Accused identified as Gujarat resident
The newly arrested accused has been identified as Hirendra Kumar, also known as Bharat Kumar Khadayata, aged 34. He is a resident of Kailas Nagar in Ananda taluk of Gujarat. Police said Hirendra Kumar was taken into custody on December 21 following sustained investigation into the alleged information leak.
Officials stated that the arrest was made by a special police team led by Karkala Sub-Division Assistant Superintendent of Police Harsha Priyamvada, who is the investigating officer in the case.
Earlier arrests in November
The case first came to light following the arrest of two other accused, Rohit and Santri, on November 21. Both the accused are natives of Uttar Pradesh and were working with a joint venture company operating at the Malpe Shipyard. They are currently lodged in judicial custody.
Police said the investigation gained momentum after suspicious digital communications were traced to the accused, prompting a detailed probe into their activities and associations.
Alleged sharing of sensitive naval information
According to the police, a case was registered at the Malpe Police Station after it was found that confidential and sensitive information related to the Indian Navy had allegedly been shared with Pakistan. The information is said to include a list of Indian Navy ship numbers and other restricted operational details.
Investigators believe that the information was transmitted through WhatsApp and other digital platforms, and that the accused allegedly received illegal monetary gains in return for sharing the data. Police officials described the matter as serious, given the national security implications involved.
Role of the newly arrested accused
During the course of the investigation, police found that Hirendra Kumar had allegedly played a supporting role in facilitating the illegal activity. According to officials, he procured a mobile SIM card in his own name in exchange for a fee and later handed it over to the other accused.
The SIM card was allegedly used to communicate sensitive information to foreign contacts, thereby helping conceal the identities of the primary users. Police said such tactics are often used to evade detection during unlawful communication.
Court proceedings and investigation
After his arrest, Hirendra Kumar was produced before the jurisdictional court. Police said they would seek further custody if required to examine digital evidence, financial transactions, and possible links to other individuals.
Investigators are also analysing call detail records, messaging applications, and bank transactions to establish the full scope of the alleged information leak. Officials indicated that more arrests are not being ruled out as the investigation progresses.
Security agencies on alert
Police sources said that relevant security and intelligence agencies have been informed about the case, given its potential impact on national security. Coordination with central agencies is ongoing to verify whether the information shared caused any operational compromise.
Authorities have reiterated that strict action will be taken against anyone found involved in compromising sensitive defence-related information.
Conclusion
The arrest of the third accused marks a significant development in the Malpe shipyard information leak case. With investigations continuing across multiple states, police officials said they are determined to uncover the complete network involved in the alleged sharing of confidential naval information and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.