In a startling development, an Assistant Sub-Inspector of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been arrested for allegedly leaking sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence operatives. According to reports, the officer shared key inputs over the past two years with Pakistani officers posing as television journalists. In return, he reportedly received ₹3,500 per month, along with an additional ₹12,000 for specific crucial information.
An Indian Express report said that earlier this week, the National Investigation Agency said it had arrested CRPF ASI Moti Ram Jat from Delhi and was questioning him. The Central agency alleged he shared classified information with Pakistani agents and was taking funds from them. He was posted with a CRPF battalion in J&K’s Pahalgam and was transferred to Delhi five days before the April 22 terror attack on the tourist destination.
Central Intelligence Questioned Him Before NIA
“He was allegedly approached by a woman posing as a Chandigarh-based news reporter from a leading TV news channel, who requested that he share some information. After some messages and phone calls, including over video, Jat allegedly started sharing classified documents with her. After two to three months, a man, a Pakistan intelligence officer, started talking to him, posing as a journalist of the same news channel,” – reported Indian Express quoting a CRPF source.
The investigation team found many messages related to Jat’s involvement in his phone. Messages weren’t deleted. The publication sources said that Jat allegedly shared multiple classified documents, including details of security personnel deployment, troop movements, intelligence reports from the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC), and, at times, information on terrorist movements.
HM Amit Shah’s Visit To Pahalgam
CRPF ASI Moti Ram Jat allegedly passed on sensitive details to Pakistani intelligence officers posing as TV journalists over the past two years. The information included Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack, the closure of 50 tourist spots, the movement and deployment of CRPF troops, and the suspected locations of terrorists. In return, he was reportedly paid ₹3,500 per month and an extra ₹12,000 for specific crucial details.
In some of the exchanges, Jat reportedly sent news clippings related to paramilitary forces. However, those in contact with him advised against sharing information already available to the public. According to a source, after a month or two, he began receiving ₹3,500 regularly on the fourth day of each month, along with an additional ₹12,000 for critical information. The money was reportedly deposited into both his and his wife’s bank accounts.
How Was He caught?
As per the reports, the officer had been under surveillance for several weeks and was transferred to Delhi five days before the Pahalgam terror attack. Although Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir following the attack had already been reported in the media, the officer allegedly shared the information with the operatives even after his transfer to Delhi. He also reportedly informed them that 50 tourist destinations had been closed due to security concerns.
Moti Ram Jat was remanded in the agency’s custody until June 6 by the Special Court at Patiala House Courts. “We have arrested Jat. He was actively involved in espionage activity and had been sharing classified information related to national security with PIOs since 2023. We have also found that he was receiving funds from the PIOs through various conduits,” an NIA spokesperson said.
He has been dismissed from service. According to a CRPF spokesperson, Jat was found to have breached established rules and procedures. This came to light during continuous monitoring of his social media activity, carried out in coordination with central agencies.
