A jawan of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Bihar has come under the scanner for allegedly leaking official information to Maoists.
The Special Task Force (STF) on Thursday night filed an FIR at Gaya’s Imamganj police station against Sanjay Kumar Yadav, Assistant Commandant of 159 CRPF battalion posted in Barachatti, Gaya district, and an alleged Maoist aide, Pradeep Yadav from Imamganj.
“The jawan leaked details of anti-Naxal operations by the CRPF and the CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) in Gaya and Aurangabad districts through Pradeep Yadav, a conduit for this information. Pradeep Yadav has no criminal history, but was the go-between. He provided information and logistics to Maoists,” Amit Kumar, Inspector General, Operation, told The Hindu.
Mr. Amit Kumar said Mr. Sanjay Kumar Yadav had given “critical evidence” to the authorities, of phone conversations between him and Pradeep Yadav. While Pradeep Yadav was arrested on Thursday itself, the CRPF and the STF are still interrogating Mr. Sanjay Kumar Yadav.
“A decision on whether to arrest him will be taken on Saturday. The authorities will have to approach court. The procedure is underway,” police said.
Mr. Sanjay Kumar Yadav has been booked under Section 3 (penalty for spying), Section 10 (penalty for harbouring spies) and Section 11 (search warrants) of the Official Secrets Act; under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act; Sections 166 and 217 pertaining to public servants disobeying law; and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.
Correction
>>The report, “CRPF jawan booked for ‘leaking’ secrets to Maoists” (Nov. 16, 2013), talks about the arrest of an Assistant Commandant of a CRPF battalion. An Assistant Commandant cannot be called a jawan. The headline should have said “CRPF officer booked …” The text also should have referred to him as an officer.
