Accused in 2025 Visakhapatnam naval dockyard spy case held after deportation from Saudi Arabia
The Andhra Pradesh Counter Intelligence Cell (CIC), working with Central intelligence agencies, has arrested K. Srinivas, named as Accused No. 3 in a 2025 naval espionage case linked to the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. Srinivas, a Visakhapatnam native who had been absconding for a year, was intercepted at Delhi airport following his deportation from Saudi Arabia and has since been remanded to judicial custody.
Arrest after Deportation
According to a CIC release issued on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, officials coordinated with Central intelligence agencies to secure Srinivas’s deportation from Saudi Arabia. He was intercepted at Delhi’s international airport on October 11 and subsequently brought to the Malkapuram police station in Visakhapatnam for further proceedings. Police said he was produced in court the following day and sent to the Visakhapatnam Central Jail.
Background of the Case
The case, registered by the Malkapuram police in October 2025 under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, pertains to alleged espionage activities involving sensitive information from the Naval Dockyard, a highly restricted defence installation. The initial complaint named three accused: B. Ravi (A-1), an unidentified woman (A-2), and Srinivas (Accused No. 3). Investigators had earlier arrested Ravi, a resident of Sriharipuram in Visakhapatnam.
Alleged Espionage Modus Operandi
Investigations revealed that both Ravi and Srinivas were employed with TD Engineering Company, which was operating at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. In 2023, an unidentified woman who introduced herself as “Angel Payal” and claimed to be employed by a Dubai-based shipping company allegedly contacted Ravi through Facebook. She is said to have sought details about ships and submarines at the dockyard.
As per the CIC, Ravi and Srinivas allegedly shared information including the number of submarines and ships within the dockyard. Officials noted that the woman reportedly transferred money to the bank accounts of both accused in connection with the information allegedly shared.
Key Developments and Legal Action
The CIC’s October 14 release stated that Srinivas had been untraceable for a year before his detention in Delhi after deportation. Following his transfer to Visakhapatnam, he was produced before a court and remanded to the Visakhapatnam Central Jail. The registration of the case under the Official Secrets Act underscores the gravity of the allegations, which relate to the security of a critical defence facility.
What’s Known So Far
– The case was filed in October 2025 by Malkapuram police under the Official Secrets Act against three accused, including an unidentified woman.
– Both identified accused, Ravi and Srinivas, were associated with TD Engineering Company at the Naval Dockyard.
– The alleged plot began in 2023, when “Angel Payal” purportedly contacted Ravi via Facebook seeking sensitive naval information.
– CIC officials said funds were transferred by the woman into accounts held by the two identified accused.
– Srinivas was deported from Saudi Arabia, intercepted in Delhi on October 11, 2026, and remanded to judicial custody the next day.
Conclusion
The arrest of Srinivas marks a significant step in a high-stakes investigation into alleged espionage targeting one of India’s key naval installations. With two of the named accused now in custody and the third still unidentified, authorities continue to pursue a case that highlights the ongoing risks posed by foreign intelligence solicitation and the exploitation of social media to access sensitive defence information.
