Delhi Police Say IAF Officer Traded War Plans for Nude Photos
Delhi Police told a court that an Indian Air Force wing commander traded pages of a secret war plan for nude photographs from a suspected Pakistani operative, according to a chargesheet.
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The Special Cell of the Delhi Police has filed a chargesheet against Wing Commander Manorath Singh Sabharwal at Patiala House Court, accusing him of offences under the Official Secrets Act.
Police said he was in contact with the suspected operative on WhatsApp from Jan. 12 to April 1, 2026, and was stopped after he was found carrying a smartphone into his office.
Police Describe the Alleged Trade
According to the chargesheet, the officer “uploaded” a page of a “secret war plan” after receiving “a nude picture” from the suspected Pakistani operative and “even stated that for each nude pic he will provide a new page of (the) war plan.”
An analysis of WhatsApp data found 3,008 text messages, 65 images, 65 reactions, 42 voice calls, 4 video calls and 6 URLs exchanged between the two, police told the court.
The Times of India reported that the woman used an Indian SIM issued in Gujarat while operating from Pakistan, and that he was arrested on May 30 after staff found an unauthorized iPhone at his Race Course office.
Classified Military Details Shared
Police alleged that he passed information on the strength and structure of a secret drone unit, its operational capabilities, locations earmarked for deployment during hostilities, and the movement of combat aircraft.
The chargesheet also said he disclosed details of drone trials, the endurance of the weapon system and its targeting mechanisms, as well as the deployment of fighter aircraft in Leh and a military exercise at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Suratgarh.
Investigators said the suspected operative sent malware applications that could have opened access to information on the officer’s devices and his communications with his chain of command.
The officer “fulfilled the task… to install some specific malwares/spywares in the ICT devices of his five subordinates, deployed in the unit under him,” police said.
The case comes against a tense backdrop, including India’s plan for a stealth fighter amid tensions with Pakistan and a later warning from Pakistan’s army chief.
Court Awaits Prosecution Sanction
Chief Judicial Magistrate Mridul Gupta noted in an Oct. 31 order that sanction to prosecute had not been obtained under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 13(3) of the Official Secrets Act.
The court directed the deputy commissioner of police to monitor the process and to file a report by the next hearing, and ordered that Sabharwal be produced on Dec. 5.
The officer has been accused, not convicted, and the court has not yet taken cognisance of the chargesheet.
Similar allegations have surfaced elsewhere, including the arrest of a senior U.S. Army soldier in the United Kingdom on suspicion of spying for Russia.
Kamer Kurunç
Kamer Kurunç is the Team Leader of Clash Report and has led the outlet for four years. He oversees its breaking world news coverage, from the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war to defense and global politics. His focus is fast, verified, source-based reporting. Follow him on X at @kamerknc.
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