NIA submits fresh chargesheet against two for conspiracy to carry out espionage-related activities

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a supplementary chargesheet against two in the case involving a criminal conspiracy hatched by accused Manmohan Surendra Panda and other Pakistani intelligence operations aimed at carrying out espionage-related activities, the agency said on Monday.

The chargesheet was filed in a special NIA court based in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam.
Manmohan Surendra Panda, a resident of Mumbai, has been formally charged under sections 201, 120B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and Section 3 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

Initially registered at Andhra Pradesh’s Counter Intelligence Cell, this case was later re-registered by the NIA on May 5 this year.

NIA investigation revealed that Panda was sharing classified information related to the Indian Navy with a suspected Pakistani intelligence operative identified as Harsh, along with unidentified individuals.
“It has also come to light that Panda was receiving monetary compensation from other suspected Pakistani Operatives, Meer Balaj Khan, Alven, and several unknown individuals, through crypto channels,” the NIA said.

In return for these illicit funds, the anti-terror agency said, “Panda was found transmitting highly confidential information concerning Indian Navy warships and submarines.”