New Delhi: Pradeep Kurulkar, a senior scientist heading the R&D Establishment (Engineers) in DRDO had been detained by Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad, now has been sent in ATS custody till May 15 by Pune’s Special ATS court on Tuesday.
The scientist was charged with the allegations of sharing confidential information with a woman “Pakistani Intelligence Opeartive” and was in contact with her since 2022 via “WhatsApp messages, Voice and Video calls”, as per sources from the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
Kurulkar was honey-trapped by woman agent and was arrested under the ‘Official Secrets Act’, after which the court sent him to the ATS custody till today.
“ATS has seized several electronic devices like mobile phones, laptops etc from Kurulkar and has been sent for forensic detailing. Kurulkar had deleted some of the WhatsApp chats with the PIO girl,” said the sources.
Designation of Kurulkar
Kurulkar has been said to be an ‘Outstanding Scientist’ (equivalent to Lieutenant General in Army). On DRDO’s website, it is written as a ‘Team Leader and Lead Designer’ who has acted in a significant manner in the successful design, development, and delivery of a number of Military Engineering Systems and Equipements including Missile Launchers for Programme such as AD, MRSAM etc.
Earlier, it was alleged that the accused scientist misused his position in the past while he was directing the Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) in Dighi between December 12, 2022, and February 24, 2023.
