Ex-Brahmos engineer sentenced to life imprisonment for spying for Pakistan's ISI

Nishant Agrawal, a 29-year-old engineer, had a bright future ahead.

He was employed in the technical research division of the BrahMos Aerospace missile centre in Nagpur, and he was highly regarded in his field.

His talents were recognized with the prestigious Young Scientist award from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

But in 2018, everything changed.

Nishant was arrested for allegedly leaking sensitive technical details about the BrahMos missile program to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

The authorities revealed that he had been communicating with fake social media profiles operated by the ISI.

They had lured him with the promise of a lucrative $30,000-per-month IT job in Canada.

As part of the supposed job offer, Nishant was asked to provide “samples” of his work at BrahMos Aerospace.

Trusting these profiles, he shared sensitive information, unknowingly compromising national security.

Despite his junior position, Nishant had access to certain classified information.

However, the most highly sensitive data remained beyond his reach, adhering to a strict need-to-know basis.

Authorities attributed the data theft to Nishant’s “casual” online behaviour, which made him an easy target for Pakistani intelligence operatives.

His arrest stunned his family, friends, and colleagues, who all expressed disbelief.

His father, Dr PK Agrawal, staunchly believed that his son was being framed.

Nishant faced charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Official Secrets Act (OSA).

He was placed under a three-day transit remand for further questioning by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).

The trial, conducted by the Nagpur district court, saw Additional Sessions Court Judge MV Deshpande presiding.

The court’s decision came on 3 June 2024.

Nishant Agrawal was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment under the Official Secrets Act.

Additionally, he received a rigorous imprisonment sentence of 14 years and a fine of ₹3,000.

The judgment was based on substantial evidence linking Nishant to espionage activities associated with Pakistan’s ISI.

The case highlights the vulnerabilities in national security and the severe consequences of seemingly innocent online interactions.

It underscores the importance of vigilance and the grave penalties for breaches of trust and security.

Nishant Agrawal’s story is a cautionary tale, a reminder of the complex and often perilous intersections between technology, personal ambition, and national security.