The Spy in the PMO: How India's Top Secrets Were Leaked in 1984

The Year 1984:

The year 1984 was already a tumultuous one for India. It witnessed the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, followed by anti-Sikh riots and political chaos. However, a lesser-known but equally shocking incident was the uncovering of a massive espionage scandal that had been brewing in the months prior.

Espionage in the Cold War Era:

This was the era of the Cold War when intelligence agencies like the CIA, KGB, MI6, and others were operating at full capacity, and espionage was at its peak. India, with its strategic location and growing influence, became a hotbed for spies.

The Scandal Unfolds:

1. The Shocking Meeting in New Delhi

In early 1984, during a high-level meeting between Indian and Sri Lankan officials in New Delhi, Sri Lankan representatives stunned the Indian delegation by presenting them with top-secret RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) documents.

These documents detailed India's strategic plans and confidential opinions about Sri Lanka.

This incident embarrassed India on an international stage and raised serious questions about how such sensitive information was leaked.

2. The Investigation Begins

RAW launched an internal investigation and found that the leaked documents were meant only for the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the Defense Ministry.

However, before the investigation could gain momentum, the assassination of Indira Gandhi in October 1984 put the case on the back burner.

3. The Connaught Place Photocopy Shop

Months later, in November-December 1984, an intelligence officer from the IB (Intelligence Bureau), Ved Prakash Sharma, stumbled upon a suspicious activity at a photocopy shop in Connaught Place.

While visiting his friend Subhash Sharma's shop, he noticed classified documents from the Defense and Finance Ministries being photocopied. His suspicions grew when he recognized some of the papers as internal IB documents.

4. The Sting Operation

Ved Prakash Sharma, with the help of IB agents, began monitoring the shop. They tracked a peon who regularly brought documents to be photocopied and followed him to an office on Hailey Road in Connaught Place.

The office belonged to an engineering equipment manufacturing company, but it was a front for the espionage operation.

5. The Midnight Raid

On January 17, 1985, IB officers raided the Hailey Road office. Inside, they found two men drinking alcohol with a briefcase full of classified documents.

Among the papers were notes from a cabinet meeting held just 90 minutes earlier, chaired by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The speed with which the secrets were leaked shocked the investigators.

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The Spy Network Revealed

The investigation revealed a vast spy network led by Kumar Narayan, a typist who worked in various ministries, including the Defense and Finance Ministries.

Using his position as a stenographer, Kumar Narayan gained access to confidential documents, which he photocopied and sold to foreign agents.

Over time, Kumar's network grew, involving peons, clerks, and even diplomats from countries like France, Czechoslovakia, and East Germany.

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The Fallout

A total of 12 individuals were arrested, and three foreign diplomats were expelled from India.

The scandal led to strained relations with the involved countries, but the Indian government kept much of the affair under wraps to avoid further embarrassment.

The IB and RAW tightened their security measures, but the incident highlighted the vulnerabilities in India's intelligence and bureaucratic systems.

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Impact on India

National Security: The scandal exposed how easily sensitive information could be leaked and sold, prompting reforms in handling classified documents.

Espionage in India: It shed light on the growing threat of espionage during the Cold War and the need for stronger counterintelligence measures.

Diplomatic Relations: The involvement of foreign diplomats strained India's relations with several countries, though these ties were eventually repaired.

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Conclusion

"The 1984 espionage scandal serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in safeguarding national secrets. It is a story of betrayal, greed, and the vulnerabilities that exist even in the highest echelons of power. As history has shown, espionage is an ever-present threat, and the lessons from this scandal remain relevant even today."

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What do you think about the 1984 espionage scandal? Are there enough safeguards today to prevent such incidents? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!