Intrigue and Espionage: DRDO Scientist's Links to Alleged Pakistani Spy Exposed
Indian Scientist Leaks Missile Secrets To Spy Woman
Overt Operator
July 10, 2023
In an unsettling revelation of international espionage, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has named a "Pakistani intelligence operative" as a co-accused in the case involving senior Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist Pradeep Kurulkar.
Arrested on May 3, 59-year-old Kurulkar has been charged under sections 3(1)(c), 5 (1)(a), 5 (1)(a), 5 (1)(d) of the Official Secrets Act (OSA), laws about spying and wrongful communication with an alleged Pakistani operative in what seems to be a suspected case of a honeytrap.
According to the ATS, Kurulkar was reportedly in regular communication with a female Pakistani operative known as “Zaradas Gupta”, via WhatsApp messages, voice and video calls, sharing sensitive information with her. The investigation revealed that a Gmail account registered in Pakistan was purportedly used for communication with Kurulkar.
Following these findings, the ATS invoked Section 4 of the OSA against both Kurulkar and the accused Pakistani woman, this section is related to communication with foreign agents. A formal application regarding this move was presented before the court this Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Rhishikesh Ganu, Kurulkar's defense lawyer, announced that the ATS has proposed to conduct a “polygraph test” and a “voice layer and physiological analysis test” on Kurulkar, subject to his consent.
Presently, Kurulkar is under judicial custody and detained in Yerawada jail. The ATS disclosed that Kurulkar had traveled to several foreign countries, leading to investigations into whether he had any in-person interactions with Pakistani operatives during these trips.
Additionally, the ATS is delving into a comprehensive cyber investigation of the social media accounts, including Facebook, used by the operative who allegedly contacted Kurulkar. Furthermore, the squad is analyzing the "reverse call detail records (CDR)" of the international number used by the Pakistani operative.
In a startling twist, the ATS has suggested that Kurulkar may have conducted meetings with "some women" at the DRDO’s guesthouse, with further inquiries being conducted into these allegations.
Kurulkar has been instrumental in several strategically significant projects within the DRDO, such as the nuclear-capable Agni missile, Mission Shakti – an anti-satellite missile test, and numerous other missile and strategic defense systems