Dipesh Gohel, a welder and laborer working at the Okha jetty in Devbhumi Dwarka district, Gujarat in India, has been arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) for espionage.

Gohel was allegedly providing sensitive information about the movements of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships to a Pakistani agent, a woman named Sahima, for a daily payment of Rs 200. This activity spanned approximately seven months.

The ATS launched its investigation following a tip-off suggesting Gohel’s involvement with a Pakistani intelligence agency, either the ISI or a member of the Pakistani navy. Technical surveillance confirmed communication between Gohel and Sahima, originating from Pakistan. The information Gohel provided included details such as the names and numbers of ICG ships arriving at the Okha jetty and their movements.

Gohel, lacking his own bank account, utilized the accounts of three friends to receive the payments from Sahima via UPI transactions. A total of Rs 42,000 was transferred to these accounts over the seven-month period. Gohel subsequently collected the cash from his friends. He admitted to knowing that his actions were illegal.

The arrest was made on charges of criminal conspiracy and waging war against the government, under Sections 61 and 147 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Gohel had been employed for three years by a contractor responsible for the repair of Coast Guard vessels at the Okha jetty.

His contact with Sahima began about seven months prior to his arrest, initiated through a Facebook connection and subsequently transitioning to WhatsApp communication. The ATS Superintendent of Police, K Siddharth, confirmed these details to reporters.