JAIPUR: Rajasthan Police’s intelligence wing has alleged that Sumit Kumar, a civilian employee of the Indian Air Force arrested on espionage charges, received around ₹3.25 lakh for passing sensitive information to Pakistan-based handlers.
Kumar was detained on Sunday from the Air Force Station in Chabua, Assam, in a joint operation involving Rajasthan Police and Air Force intelligence. A resident of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, he had previously been posted in Shillong at the Eastern Air Command headquarters.
A court in Jaipur on Monday remanded him to custody until April 2. Investigators said he will be extensively questioned to determine the extent of the espionage network and the nature of classified information allegedly leaked.
According to Additional Director General (Intelligence) Prafful Kumar, the accused came into contact with Pakistani operatives through social media and had been sharing confidential information since 2023. “He was passing on sensitive details in exchange for money. Transactions amounting to nearly ₹3.25 lakh have been traced so far,” he said.
Officials added that Kumar allegedly deleted key chats and data from his mobile phone in an attempt to destroy evidence.
The probe gained momentum after the arrest of a Jaisalmer resident, Jhabraram, on January 30, whose interrogation reportedly led investigators to Kumar. Authorities then placed him under surveillance before taking him into custody.
Investigators suspect Kumar misused his position to access sensitive information related to Air Force operations, including details of fighter aircraft deployment, missile systems, and personnel at key bases such as Chabua in Assam and Nal in Bikaner.
Police also said that Pakistani handlers used fake social media profiles to maintain covert communication with the accused.
Chabua Air Force Station, located near India’s borders with China and Myanmar, is considered a strategically important defence installation.
A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.
