New Delhi, June 29: Former Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist Pradeep Kurulkar allegedly shared sensitive information related to India’s strategic defence programmes, including the BrahMos cruise missile, Agni-6 project, Rafale fighter jets and other military systems, with a suspected Pakistani intelligence operative through WhatsApp conversations over several months, according to the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chargesheet.
Kurulkar, the former Director of DRDO’s Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) in Pune, was arrested in 2023 under the Official Secrets Act. Nearly three years later, a Pune court has framed charges against him, holding that there is sufficient prima facie material to proceed with the trial.
According to the chargesheet, Kurulkar was allegedly lured through a honeytrap by a woman identifying herself as “Zara Dasgupta”, who claimed to be a London-based software engineer but is suspected by investigators to be a Pakistani intelligence operative.
Investigators alleged that what began as casual conversations gradually shifted to discussions on India’s strategic military programmes, including BrahMos, Agni-6, Meteor missiles, Rafale fighter aircraft, Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs), drone projects and BrahMos exports to the Philippines.
The chargesheet includes WhatsApp exchanges in which Kurulkar allegedly told the woman he possessed the “initial design report” on all BrahMos versions and discussed the progress of the Agni-6 missile programme. Investigators also alleged that he shared his work schedule, official meetings, locations and details of colleagues while heading one of DRDO’s key establishments.
According to the ATS, Kurulkar willingly shared the information in the hope of meeting the woman and was not blackmailed. The investigation further alleges that he used his personal mobile phone to communicate sensitive information in violation of DRDO security protocols.
The ATS also claimed the woman persuaded Kurulkar to install APK files that forensic experts later identified as containing malware. Technical analysis allegedly traced associated digital accounts and IP addresses to Pakistan. Investigators further alleged that an Indian SIM card was procured through intermediaries and ultimately used by the suspected operative to activate a WhatsApp account.
The agency said Kurulkar deleted chats and media files before his electronic devices were seized in February 2023, but forensic experts recovered portions of the conversations. Following an internal inquiry, he was removed as Director of R&DE (E), suspended and later arrested.
The prosecution has relied on statements of more than 60 witnesses, around 140 documents and reports, forensic analysis and seized electronic devices to support its case. It has argued that Kurulkar knowingly communicated confidential defence information to an agent linked to Pakistan.
Kurulkar, however, has denied wrongdoing. His defence has argued that the information cited by the prosecution was already available in the public domain and therefore could not be treated as classified. His bail application was rejected.
On June 18, a Pune court framed charges against Kurulkar under multiple provisions of the Official Secrets Act, including offences relating to espionage, communication with foreign agents and wrongful communication of official information. The court observed that there was sufficient prima facie evidence to proceed with the trial, while the alleged Pakistani operative remains absconding. (Agencies)
