Confidential list of suspected Bangladeshi nationals leaked in South Andaman
A highly sensitive document prepared by the Special Branch (Criminal Investigation Department) [SB (CID)] of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been leaked and is now widely circulating on WhatsApp. The document, containing a list of suspected Bangladeshi nationals residing in South Andaman District, was never meant for public access but has now reached thousands of citizens through various WhatsApp groups.
The confidential communication, reportedly sent by the SB (CID) to the Senior Superintendent of Police, South Andaman, and the Superintendents of Police in Nicobar and North & Middle Andaman districts, was marked as Confidential. Its unauthorized exposure raises grave concerns about internal data security and protocol breaches within departments handling sensitive intelligence.
The SB (CID) is exempt from the Right to Information Act under Section 24(1), except in cases involving corruption or human rights violations. Despite this statutory protection, the leak of such a classified document has sparked alarm.
Individuals who are genuinely Bangladeshi nationals and were under surveillance may now attempt to flee, hide, or change their identity, evading authorities. Meanwhile, those wrongfully included in the list—Indian citizens—may now face unwarranted suspicion, affecting their social standing, livelihood, and dignity.
This incident highlights the larger issue of confidential government documents being leaked and circulated online. It is highly likely that someone within the system—with access to classified information—is responsible for the leak. If such breaches are not swiftly addressed, they could compromise national security and administrative integrity.
There are strict legal provisions criminalizing the unauthorized disclosure of confidential government information. The individual responsible must be identified and prosecuted under relevant laws, sending a strong message across all levels of government service that such violations will not be tolerated.
