Third accused arrested in Pak-linked naval espionage case in Karnataka

24-Dec-2025

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Police in Karnataka's Udupi have arrested a third individual in the ongoing Indian Navy secret information leakage case, in which sensitive naval details were allegedly shared with Pakistan. The arrest was made by Malpe police as part of the ongoing investigation.

The arrested accused has been identified as Hirendra Kumar alias Bharat Kumar Khadayat (34), a resident of Gujarat's Anand district. 

Police said Hirendra allegedly provided mobile SIM cards in exchange for money to the main accused, who were transmitting confidential information related to the Indian Navy to handlers in Pakistan.

Earlier, on Nov 21, Malpe police had arrested Rohit and Santri, natives of Uttar Pradesh, who were working on a contractual basis at the Cochin Shipyard unit in Malpe. The arrests followed a tip-off from shipyard officials who noticed suspicious activity.