In a major legal turnaround, BrahMos Aerospace Limited (BAPL) scientist Nishant Agrawal—arrested in 2018 for allegedly leaking classified defence information to Pakistan’s intelligence operatives—has been acquitted of the key charges under the Information Technology Act and the Official Secrets Act.
A lower court had earlier sentenced Agrawal to 14 years’ imprisonment, accusing him of using digital channels to transmit sensitive missile-related data to hostile entities. However, the higher judiciary has now struck down these major charges, ruling that the prosecution failed to establish unlawful transmission of national security assets.
The only conviction upheld pertains to the possession of official documents on his personal laptop—an act that violated BAPL’s internal security protocols. For this offence, Agrawal had been given a three-year sentence by the trial court. As he has already spent more than this duration in custody since his arrest, he is now eligible for immediate release.
This verdict effectively closes the chapter on one of India’s most high-profile defence-sector espionage cases, which had sparked nationwide debate over cyber vulnerabilities and honeytrap operations targeting strategic establishments.
Arrested in Joint MI–ATS Operation
Agrawal was arrested in October 2018 during a coordinated operation by Military Intelligence (MI) and the Anti-Terrorism Squads of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. At the time, he was working in the technical research division at BAPL—an Indo-Russian joint venture that designs and manufactures BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
Investigators later seized Agrawal’s personal devices, where they discovered several documents classified under BAPL’s security rules. This formed the basis for the prosecution’s claim that sensitive missile-related material had been compromised.
Malware-Based Honeytrap Uncovered
The case also shed light on a sophisticated honeytrap executed through fake profiles used by Pakistani intelligence handlers. Evidence showed that Agrawal had been in contact with a woman who introduced herself as “Sejal,” posing as part of a UK-based aviation recruitment team on LinkedIn.
According to statements recorded in court, “Sejal” was linked to an online group that exchanged tactics for manipulating Indian defence personnel. Acting on her instructions in 2017, Agrawal reportedly downloaded three applications—Qwhisper, Chat to Hire and X-Trust—believing them to be legitimate communication tools.
Forensic analysis later revealed these apps were malware designed to exfiltrate stored data. Investigators alleged that once installed, the malware accessed sensitive files on Agrawal’s laptop, contributing to the breach of internal security norms at BrahMos Aerospace.
A Case That Shook India’s Strategic Establishment
With the higher court clearing him of the most serious charges, Agrawal’s prolonged legal battle finally concludes. His nearly seven-year incarceration—stemming from allegations of spying for Pakistan’s ISI—now stands largely unwound, except for the minor conviction that he has already served.
The ruling is expected to reignite discussions on cyber hygiene, data protection lapses within strategic organisations and the growing threat of digital honeytraps targeting defence scientists.
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