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A Defence Journalist Vivek Raghuvanshi working for US based news company and a former Navy Commander have been booked in the month of May this year as they have been accused of procuring “sensitive information and minute details” of The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and The Army along with sharing the same information with the intelligence agencies of the European countries.
The Accusations on Raghuvanshi
CBI alleged Raghuvanshi of “receiving Rs 3 Crore from foreign sources”. Raghuvnshi has been charged under Section 3 (Espionage) of the Official Secrets Act. The CBI also conducted raids against the journalist around 15 locations in Delhi NCR and claimed to have seized “incriminating documents” and 48 electronic devices in connection with the case. Sources also suggest that he was alleged on passing nuclear plant details and misusing his privilege of accessing the restricted information as a journalist.
A Journalist based in America
Raghuvanshi has been a defence journalist writing about the Indian Defence news on behalf of the US based company called “Defence News” since 1993 and is also working as a consultant for private defence manufacturers in india.
After his arrest, the National Press Club of Washington DC stated that it was “ disappointed” on the basis of the charges levied upon him. It also stated that Raghuvanshi had a solid character and respect from his associates.
In Defence of Raghuvanshi
When the family got the knowledge about the arrest, they expressed shock and described him as a simple man that was a familiar face around the Press Conference. Newslaundry also spoke to his close one’s after his arrest and described him as the “Most Harmless Journalist”. Another acquaintace told Newslaundry that he was under “a lot of stress” and had “health issues”
Calling the allegations “ridiculous” millitary analysts and retired Airforce Jaguar Pilot Vijender K Thakur was very skeptical regarding these allegations as he pointed out that the accused worked for a magazine that was based in the United States.
Mr. Thakur, in defence of the journalist, said that the people who work under the same domain as Raghuvanshi are more vulnerable to be booked under Official Secrets Act and calls Defence Journalism a treacherous terrain where journlist privy to sesitive information.
On the ninth of december last year a case was filed against him by the CBI.
Similar Cases
Some other freelance journalist like Rajeev Sharma was also arrested in the year 2020 for “ allegedly passing on sensitive information” to Chinese Intelligence the enforcement directorate attached Rs 48 Lakh to Sharma
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