Police in Karnataka’s Udupi district have arrested a fourth suspect in an alleged case involving the transfer of sensitive Indian Navy information to contacts in Pakistan. The case has raised serious concerns about national security and the possible misuse of confidential defence data.
The latest accused has been identified as 21-year-old Alif Islam from West Bengal. He was arrested from Marayur village in Kerala’s Idukki district. Police teams tracked him down after collecting digital and technical evidence during the ongoing investigation.
The case was first registered at Malpe police station in Udupi district after allegations surfaced that certain individuals connected to a shipbuilding unit were sharing confidential naval information through social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook. Investigators claim that the shared material included ship identification numbers and other technical details considered sensitive.
The facility under scrutiny is a unit of Cochin Shipyard Ltd located at Malpe port in Karnataka. The company, headquartered in Kerala, builds vessels for the Indian Navy as well as ships for private clients. Officials have not suggested that the company as an organisation was involved, but some individuals linked to the unit are under investigation.
Udupi Deputy Superintendent of Police DT Prabhu said the investigation has reached a critical stage after the fourth arrest. He stated that officials are carefully examining digital records and financial transactions connected to the accused. According to him, the police are also coordinating with central agencies to ensure a thorough probe.
Police believe that the alleged sharing of classified information may have continued for nearly 18 months. Officers are now analysing seized mobile phones, laptops, and online accounts to understand how the information was transmitted and who received it.
According to investigators, there are suspicions that the accused were in direct contact with individuals across the border. However, it is still not clear whether they were acting on their own or were part of a larger organised network.
Authorities are examining call records, chat histories, bank transactions, and other digital footprints to trace possible foreign links. Financial transactions are also under review to check if any money was received in exchange for sharing information.
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An officer involved in the case said the main focus is to identify the full extent of the alleged data breach. Police are also trying to find out whether any more people were involved in the operation.
The investigation is being treated as highly sensitive because it concerns naval assets and technical details related to defence infrastructure. Any leak of such information can have serious consequences for national security.
Officials have not yet disclosed exactly what type of ship data was shared, but sources say it may include identification numbers and operational details of certain vessels. These details are generally restricted and not meant for public circulation.
Before the arrest of Alif Islam, three other suspects had already been taken into custody in late 2025. They were identified as Hirendra Kumar from Gujarat and Rohit and Santri from Uttar Pradesh.
Rohit and Santri were reportedly employed at the Malpe facility through a private contractor at the time of their arrest. Police are investigating whether their employment gave them access to sensitive data and how that information may have been collected.
Investigators are also checking recruitment records and internal security measures at the facility to determine if there were any lapses in monitoring or access control.
Officials have said that being employed at a defence-related facility does not automatically mean access to classified information. Therefore, part of the investigation is to understand how the accused allegedly obtained the data.
Police suspect that the accused may have been communicating with contacts in Pakistan through encrypted messaging platforms. However, authorities have not yet confirmed whether there was any official link to foreign agencies.
The case has drawn attention because it involves sensitive defence information and possible cross-border communication. Central agencies are assisting local police to ensure that all angles are examined carefully.
Authorities have stressed that the investigation is still ongoing and that conclusions will only be drawn after all evidence is analysed. They have also appealed to the public not to spread rumours or misinformation about the case.
Meanwhile, security measures at the Malpe unit are believed to have been reviewed. Officials are likely to strengthen digital monitoring and access controls to prevent any future incidents.
The arrest of the fourth suspect marks an important development in the case. However, police say the probe is far from over. More questioning and forensic analysis are expected in the coming weeks.
The case highlights the growing challenge of protecting sensitive information in the digital age. With the use of social media and encrypted communication apps, authorities face increasing difficulty in tracking and preventing potential data leaks.
As the investigation continues, officials are focusing on identifying whether this was an isolated act by a few individuals or part of a wider network. The findings of the probe will play a key role in determining the next legal steps and ensuring that national security is not compromised.
For now, all four accused remain under investigation, and further action will depend on the evidence collected by the police and central agencies.
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