NIA Chargesheets 13 in Pakistan-Linked Espionage Racket
Probe finds accused allegedly installed spy cameras at sensitive railway locations and shared geo-tagged images and videos with Pakistan based entities.
NEW DELHI, Sep 5: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against 13 people under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with an alleged Pakistan linked espionage network operating in Ghaziabad, officials said on Saturday.
The case concerns the alleged installation of solar powered cameras at sensitive locations, including railway stations, with the accused purportedly providing live access to the footage to suspected operatives based in Pakistan, according to the NIA.
The case was initially registered at Kaushambi Police Station under the Ghaziabad Commissionerate on March 14, 2026. The NIA subsequently took up the investigation into the alleged espionage activities.
The chargesheet was submitted before a special anti-terror court in Lucknow. The accused have been booked under Sections 61(2) and 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, dealing with criminal conspiracy and acts endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
They have also been charged under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, concerning espionage and the handling or communication of sensitive information.
In addition, the agency invoked Sections 13, 17 and 18 of the UAPA, relating to unlawful activities, raising funds for terrorist activities and conspiracy or attempts to commit terrorist acts.
The individuals named in the chargesheet are Praveen, Raj Valmiki, Shiva Valmiki, Ritik Gangwar, Sameer alias Shooter, Durgesh Nishad, Naushad, Gagan Kumar, Vivek, Shivraj, Meera Thakur and Shane Iram alias Mahak. The NIA said the investigation also covered the role of other accused persons, including juveniles.
A Detailed Investigation Report against five juveniles had already been submitted before the Juvenile Justice Board in Ghaziabad on May 18, 2026, the agency said.
According to the NIA, the investigation has uncovered an alleged criminal conspiracy aimed at carrying out activities prejudicial to India’s sovereignty, unity, integrity and security.
The agency said the accused allegedly entered restricted and sensitive areas of strategic importance, installed surveillance cameras and collected visual information from these locations.
The material allegedly included photographs and videos carrying geo-tagged information, which were transmitted to entities operating from an enemy country, the NIA said.
Investigators have also alleged that the accused helped Pakistan linked entities obtain and use Indian SIM cards for unlawful purposes.
The agency further claimed that the network assisted in collecting photographs and videos of sensitive installations along with their precise GPS coordinates.
The NIA said the transmission of such information could pose a serious threat to national security by enabling foreign linked entities to identify and monitor strategically important locations.
The investigation remains ongoing, with the agency continuing to examine the broader network and the activities allegedly carried out at the direction of Pakistan-based handlers.
