Research and Analysis Wing - Defections & Spy Scandals

Defections & Spy Scandals

• In 2004, there was spy scandal involving the CIA. Rabinder Singh, Joint secretary and heading RAW's South East Asia department, defected to America on 5 June 2004. RAW had already become suspicious about his movements and he was under surveillance and his telephones were also tapped. He was confronted by Counter Intelligence officials on 19 April 2004. Despite all precautions, Rabinder Singh managed to defect with 'sensitive files' he had allegedly removed from RAW's headquarters in south New Delhi. This embarrassing fiasco and national security failure were attributed to weak surveillance, shoddy investigation and lack of coordination between the Counter-Intelligence and Security (CIS), IB and RAW. According to unconfirmed reports, Singh has surfaced in Virginia, USA. Recently in an affidavit submitted to the court, RAW deposed that Singh has been traced to New Jersey.

• In 2007, there was a spy scandal involving Bangladesh. A Bangladeshi DGFI agent concealed his nationality, and was known by the name of Diwan Chand Mallik. He was known to have some important documents which were damaging for national security. He joined in 1999 and used to live in East Delhi. A case of cheating and forgery was filed at the Lodhi Colony police station on the basis of a complaint by a senior RAW official.