Charges Framed Against Former DRDO Scientist in Espionage Case

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A local court has framed charges against former Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist Pradeep Kurulkar in an alleged espionage case, paving the way for the commencement of trial from next month.

The court on Thursday framed charges against Kurulkar under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act (OSA), which deal with penalties for spying and wrongful communication, respectively.

The trial is scheduled to begin in the second week of July, special public prosecutor Ujjwala Pawar said.

"As the case involves provisions of the Official Secrets Act, the proceedings will be held in-camera," Pawar said, adding that the prosecution has been directed to submit a list of documents it will rely upon during the trial, according to news agency PTI.

Kurulkar, a senior DRDO scientist who headed a defence laboratory in Pune, has been accused of sharing sensitive and classified information with an alleged Pakistani intelligence agent.

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which is investigating the case, filed its charge sheet on June 30, 2023.

The matter is currently being heard by special judge P Y Ladekar, who handles ATS-related cases.

Kurulkar had sought discharge from the case through his advocates Rishikesh R Ganu and Raghav Puranik, but the court rejected his plea and framed charges under various provisions of the Official Secrets Act, including Sections 3(1)(c), 4 and 5(1)(a), 5(1)(c) and 5(1)(d).

Allegations of sharing classified information

Kurulkar was arrested by the Maharashtra ATS on May 3, 2023, on allegations of espionage and sharing defence-related information with a suspected Pakistani intelligence operative.

He was subsequently placed under judicial custody.

The ATS had examined digital evidence as part of its investigation.

In November 2024, a forensic science laboratory report related to chats allegedly exchanged between Kurulkar and the suspected Pakistani intelligence agent was submitted before the special court.

The contents of the report were not made public due to the sensitive nature of the case and restrictions under the Official Secrets Act.

The ATS had earlier opposed Kurulkar’s bail plea, while his legal team had maintained that he should be discharged from the case.

With the framing of charges, the court proceedings will now move towards the trial stage, which is expected to begin in July.

Since the case involves alleged violations of the Official Secrets Act, hearings will continue to be conducted behind closed doors.