Delhi-based freelance journalist who covers defence and foreign affairs was arrested by the Delhi Police on Saturday (September 19) under the Official Secrets Act (OSA). He was found in possession of defence related sensitive and classified papers.
According to media reports, he was sharing sensitive information about India’s border strategy and army deployment to Chinese intelligence.
He was arrested along with a Chinese lady named Qing Shi (30) and her Nepali associate Sher Singh alias Raj Bohra (30). Qing Shi is said to be linked to the Chinese Intelligence agency Ministry of State Security (MSS).
The Delhi Police said that the Chinese lady and her Nepalese counterpart were paying Rajeev large amounts of money routed through shell companies. They said that Rajeev was getting $1,000 for each piece of information and was paid ₹ 30 lakh in one-and-a-half years. He wrote on defence-related issues for China’s Global Times and was contacted by Chinese agents in 2016, the police said. Lots of incriminating materials like mobile phones, laptops and other sensitive material have also been recovered.
Rajeev Sharma is a journalist accredited by the Press Information Bureau and had recently written an article “A rapprochement road map for Beijing and New Delhi benefits both countries” for Chinese state mouth piece Global Times on September 7. He is seen as a a pro-Congress person in journalist circles and was also deeply associated with party’s media management. He had also published many pro-Congress articles supporting the UPA Government.
The DCP of the Special Cell of Delhi Police said “He (Rajeev Sharma) is a resident of Pitampura, and was arrested by the southwestern range of Special Cell of the Delhi Police. He was produced before the magistrate the next day, following which he was taken into police custody for six days. He was found to be in possession of some defence-related classified documents. Investigation of the case is in progress.”
The Press Club of India however has criticised the move calling it ‘high handed’ and called him a “well-known independent journalist of long standing”. It also questioned the Delhi Police Special Cell’s credibility saying that it has a ‘dubious track record’.