Indian Embassy Employee Arrested for Espionage, Honey-Trapped by ISI Operative

The accused, identified as Satendra Siwal, hailing from Shahmahiuddinpur village in Hapur, allegedly shared confidential documents related to Indian Air Force and Indian Navy weapon systems, including details about warplanes and submarines.

According to Rajeev Tyagi, an ATS inspector in Meerut, Siwal was ensnared by a woman he befriended on social media. The woman, who operated under the alias Pooja Mehra, honey-trapped Siwal and lured him into divulging classified information in exchange for monetary rewards.

Mr. Tyagi stated, “Siwal has claimed that the documents he shared with the woman are still on his phone. The forensic examination of his phone and other gadgets used by him is being done.”

Further investigation by the ATS revealed that Siwal was allegedly involved in anti-India activities orchestrated by ISI handlers. The woman’s social media account, through which she contacted Siwal, was reportedly controlled by the Pakistan intelligence agency.
Siwal, employed as an India-based security assistant (IBSA) at the Indian embassy in Moscow since 2021, was apprehended on February 4 in Lucknow by the Meerut unit of ATS. He faces charges under Section 121A of the Indian Penal Code (waging war against the country) and the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

During interrogation, Siwal confessed to his involvement in espionage activities and admitted to providing sensitive information about strategic operations of the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, and Indian military establishments to his handlers in exchange for financial gain.

The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed awareness of Siwal’s arrest and is cooperating with investigative authorities. Meanwhile, Siwal’s family members have reportedly vacated their residence in Hapur and relocated to an undisclosed location.