DRDO scientist held for ‘Pak link’ headed key research lab, ATS probing ‘foreign visits’ in espionage case
The senior scientist of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), who was arrested by the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad for allegedly sharing information with Pakistan-based operatives in a suspected case of honey trap, was the director of a key research facility in Pune — and made “foreign visits” that are now being probed by the ATS, The Indian Express has learnt.
Documents submitted by the ATS in a Pune court show that the accused, Pradeep Kurulkar (59), headed the Research & Development Establishment (Engineers), which is based in the city, it is learnt. ATS sources told The Indian Express that he was moved out of this position recently.
According to DRDO’s official website, Kurulkar has played a key role in several strategically significant projects of the organisation, including the nuclear capable Agni missile series in addition to several other missile systems. “He was transferred out from his position as director a few days ago and posted at another DRDO entity in Pune. We have been informed that he is due for retirement in November,” an ATS officer told The Indian Express.
Following a complaint filed by a top officer of the Vigilance and Security Department of DRDO, the ATS registered an FIR in the case at the Kalachowki police station in Mumbai. Kurulkar was booked under provisions of the Official Secrets Act (OSA) pertaining to “wrongful communication”. He was produced on Thursday in a Pune court, which remanded him in ATS custody till May 9.
While seeking his custody for seven days, it is learnt the ATS submitted before the court that the DRDO had received information about the accused allegedly contacting Pakistan-based operatives illegally.
Subsequently, as per “procedure”, various electronic devices used by the accused, including cell phones, laptop and desktop hard discs, were seized by DRDO officials “on February 24, 2023” for forensic investigation, it is learnt.
The ATS informed the court that a probe by the DRDO’s “internal standing committee” and a forensic report revealed that the accused was allegedly in constant touch with a woman “Pakistani Intelligence Operative” through “WhatsApp messages, voice and video calls” — and allegedly shared sensitive information with her, it is learnt.
The ATS also informed the court that Kurulkar is known to have visited several foreign countries. It needs to be investigated whether he allegedly held meetings with Pakistani operatives in another country and how, the ATS told the court.
The ATS also stated in court that an investigation is needed to confirm whether the accused allegedly shared confidential information for “financial gains or any other purposes”, it is learnt.
Apart from electronic equipment, the ATS is also probing whether the accused used any other medium for allegedly sharing information with the Pakistan operatives, it is learnt. The probe will also cover Kurulkar’s contacts in other states, and whether he allegedly misused his position similarly while he was director of the Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) in Dighi between December 12, 2022 and February 24, 2023, it is learnt.
Earlier, a senior ATS officer had told The Indian Express that the investigation in the case was launched following a complaint received in this regard from the DRDO.
“This primarily seems to be a case of honeytrap in which the senior scientist has come into contact with Pakistan-based intelligence operatives after he was trapped using photos of women on social media platforms. He was in contact with the Pakistan-based operatives through voice messages and video calls from September-October last year and is suspected to have shared sensitive information with the operatives. We are now further probing this communication,” the officer had said.
Kurulkar’s profile on the DRDO’s official website describes him as a ‘Team Leader and Lead Designer’ who “has played a major and pioneering role in the successful design, development and delivery of a number of Military Engineering Systems and Equipments including Missile Launchers for Programme AD, MRSAM, Nirbhay Subsonic Cruise Missile System, Prahar, QRSAM, XRSAM, Hyperbaric Chamber and Mobile Power Supply and High Pressure Pneumatic Systems”.
The profile states: “On March 27, 2019, the DRDO successfully conducted Mission Shakti, an anti-satellite missile test. The critical subsystem of this mission was the design and development of a ballistic missile launcher from concept to a deployable prototype. The launcher was developed in a very short time of three months under the able guidance and leadership of PM Kurulkar.”
The profile also states, “As Project Leader and System Manager for Akash Ground Systems, he has been a key member of Akash team and has played a major role in the design, development and production of Akash Launchers and mission-critical Ground Systems. As a Project Director SF, Agni Project, he steered design and development of Road and Rail versions of Launchers and Ground systems. He has played a key role in its development with users and these efforts have resulted in release of production to orders to the tune of 250 crores for Agni project.”
