NEW DELHI: Delhi Police have arrested a serving Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander in connection with the leaking of classified defence information and confidential documents related to national security.
The officer was arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell on May 31 and booked under India’s Official Secrets Act. Details of the case emerged publicly more than two months after the arrest.
The officer is currently being held in judicial custody at Delhi’s Tihar Jail while authorities continue their investigation.
According to reports citing police and IAF sources, the arrest followed information provided by the Air Force’s intelligence wing, which had already placed the officer under surveillance.
An IAF spokesperson said proactive measures led to his detection before he was handed over to the appropriate law enforcement authorities, adding that the force maintains “zero tolerance” for such activities.
Digital trail under investigation
Investigators are examining communications through which the officer is accused of transmitting sensitive information, including material concerning military movements, deployments and defence units.
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Police are also investigating whether the officer was manipulated through a social-media relationship into sharing classified material.
Authorities are working to establish the complete digital trail, determine exactly what information was transferred and assess whether national security was compromised.
The officer’s identity, field unit and details of the classified documents have not been publicly disclosed because of the sensitive nature of the investigation.
The case also highlights growing concerns about online social-engineering tactics targeting military personnel and the challenges security agencies face in protecting sensitive information in an increasingly digital environment.
