DRDO Scientist Custody Extended: A Special Court in Pune has ordered the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) arrested for providing classified information to a Pakistani agent. ) Scientist Pradeep Kurulkar’s police custody period today Extended till May. Seeking extension of Kurulkar’s custody, the prosecution told the court that there was a need to trace the scientist’s mobile phone conversations and the police would need the help of the accused in this task. The defense counsel argued that no new information has been obtained from the mobile phones seized earlier.

Case registered under relevant sections of Privacy Act Kurulkar, director of a DRDO laboratory in Pune, was arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on 3 May. An ATS official had told last week that the scientist was allegedly in touch with Pakistan intelligence operatives through WhatsApp and video calls, which the official termed as a case of honeytrap. Following the arrest, a case was registered against Kurulkar under relevant sections of the Official Secrets Act.

Various electronic equipment seized According to the ATS, the DRDO was the first to receive information that Kurulkar was allegedly in contact with a Pakistani operative. Thereafter as per procedure, for forensic examination on February, 2023 the items used by the accused including cell phone, laptop and desktop hard disk by the officials of DRDO Various electronic devices being used were seized.

The phone was opened in front of Kurulkar An ATS team led by Inspector Sujata Tanavade produced Kurulkar in the court of Special Justice P P Jadhav and sought one day’s custody. During the hearing, public prosecutor Chandrakiran Salvi said that the ATS has received the forensic report of the mobile phone seized from Kurulkar. Salvi said the phone was opened in front of Kurulkar and screenshots were taken, which required further investigation. (with language input)

PuneDRDOPublished Date

Mon, May 15, 2023, 9: 40 PM IST