Indian diplomat charged under official secrets act

Madhuri Gupta arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan was charged on Tuesday under the official secrets act.

ISLAMABAD: An Indian diplomat arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan was charged on Tuesday under the official secrets act, police said.

Madhuri Gupta, who had been working in the Indian embassy in Islamabad prior to her arrest in April, was booked under three sections of the act, Deputy Police Commissioner Shebesh Singh told AFP.

Depending on the precise nature of the charges, Gupta could face a prison sentence of anywhere between three and 14 years if convicted. However, former diplomats say Gupta, as a second secretary, ranked low in the diplomatic hierarchy, and would have had limited access in her role in the information wing.

Gupta, 53, who has been under police custody since April 23, was arrested after being called back from Islamabad where she was posted as Second Secretary in the Press and Information wing, for allegedly violating the Official Secrets Act. The official came under the scanner after she showed “extraordinary” interest in areas beyond her role in the information wing of the mission.