‘Shared sensitive info with foreign intelligence’: CBI books freelance journalist for espionage

Journalist Vivek Raghuvanshi has been booked by the Central Bureau of Investigation for allegedly collecting “sensitive information and minute details” about the Defence Research Development Organisation and the army, and sharing them with intelligence agencies of European countries, including a think tank, the Hindu reported today.

The CBI also conducted raids against the journalist across 12 locations and claimed to have seized “incriminating documents” in connection with the case. Raghuvanshi has been booked under the provisions of the Officials Secret Act. 

The Hindu quoted the CBI as saying the case had been filed against Raghuvanshi on December 9 last year on charges that the “accused was involved in the illegal collection of sensitive information, including the minute details of the DRDO defence projects and their progress, sensitive details about the future procurement of Indian armed forces, which reveal the strategic preparedness of the country’s classified communications and information relating to national security, details of the strategic and diplomatic talks of India with our friendly countries, and sharing such classified information with intelligence agencies of foreign countries”.

As per Raghuvanshi’s Linkedin profile, he is the India bureau chief of a US news website named Defense News and has over three decades of experience. According to the Print, his last report on the website was filed 12 days ago. The report is on India and Russia working to resolve issues related to India’s delayed payments for its defence contracts. Most of his other reports on the website are in connection with defence contracts and equipment.

Update at 10.45 am, May 18: The National Press Club in Washington, DC issued a statement yesterday saying it was “disappointed” by Raghuvanshi’s arrest and the charges against him.

Issued in collaboration with the National Press Club Journalism Institute, the statement said the charges against him “of working with a foreign intelligence service are completely at odds with his well-established professional profile. Vivek has a solid reputation and the respect of his colleagues. We hope his release and these allegations are resolved swiftly and Vivek is allowed to resume his reporting...”