Pune: Honey-Trapped DRDO Lab Director’s Foreign Visits And Connections Under Scrutiny In Espionage Case
Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 5th May 2023: Senior scientist Pradip Moreshwar Kurulkar (59), Director of Research & Development Establishment (Engrs.), [R&DE(E)], a premier Systems Engineering Laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Vishrantwadi, was arrested yesterday for allegedly providing sensitive information to Pakistan’s intelligence agency.
The Maharashtra Anti-terrorism squad (ATS), which is investigating the case, produced Kurulkar, a resident of Kothrud, before court yesterday evening, and he was remanded to police custody till 9th May.
The ATS has registered a case for offences under the Official Secrets Act based on a complaint from the DRDO.
According to the ATS, Kurulkar had shared information, voice messages, and video calls through social media platforms such as WhatsApp while on duty. He also traveled to foreign countries. “We are investigating if he met Pakistani intelligence operatives there. His connections in other states are also under the scanner. Before being posted at R&DE(E), Kurulkar worked at Armament and Combat Engineering (ACE) systems at the ARDE campus on Pashan Road,” an officer said.
Another security official added, “Kurulkar came on the radar of DRDO a few months back. His three mobile phones, laptop, hard disk, etc., were seized in February. After internal forensic analysis revealed his misconduct, the investigation was handed over to the Maharashtra ATS.”
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