Naik Subeder held for spying for Pakistan

Hyderabad, Aug 6 (INN): The North Zone team of Commissioner’s Task Force arrested Patan Kumar Poddar, Naik Subedar of EME Unit, Secunderabad, for his alleged involvement in espionage activities.

Poddar was presently attached to 151, MC/MF detachment, Railway Station, Secunderabad. He was arrested by the City Police in liaison with Military authorities for violating the provisions of Official Secret Act. He was produced before the court on Wednesday and remanded to 14 days Judicial Custody.

Patan Kumar Poddar, was actively involved in network marketing business for a company named ‘Secured Life’. In order to expand his business, Poddar was persuading his colleagues and subordinates in the army and civilians to join the said business. His posting has provided him an excellent opportunity to target the defence personnel who came into his contact mainly for train reservation.

According to City Police Commissioner P Mahender Reddy, Poddar was contacted by a foreign lady (appears to be Pakistani National) through Social Media who enquired about strategic locations of Army bases in India. She has been in contact with him through mobile phone, social networking sites like Facebook and also through Email. Poddar used to reply to the said lady through above networking sites and mobile phones. In his replies he has shared information with regard to strategic locations of Army bases. He has also shared information with regard to deployment of some defence units. In this process Mr.Poddar has spoken with various army personnel of different locations and gathered information with regard to location of Artillery Regiments, commands, corps, Division Hqrs and Brigades. The said information has been shared with the above said unknown lady of Pakistan.

“The above information clearly establishes that Poddar being a Naik Subedar in Army is misusing his position and sharing the official secrets with outsiders/Foreign Nationals which is against the interest of the security of the nation. Further being a Government servant he is not only doing the business of Money circulation Schemes but also luring his colleagues to join in the said business,” the Commissioner said.

In this regard a case in Cr.No. 191/2014 u/s 3,4,5 of Official Secrets Act, 1923 r/w 120-B, 3&4 Prize Chits Money Circulation Banning Act, 1977 of CCS Police Station has been registered and is being investigated into. Efforts are being made to identify further linkages in this case. The case is under investigation, Mahender Reddy said in a press release here.