DRDO scientist Pradeep Kurulkar arrested in Pune on charges of espionage

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The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad recently arrested a scientist of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) on charges of espionage.

An Overview of the News

• The scientist named Pradeep Kurulkar was arrested in Pune on 3 May and brought to the ATS office in Pune on 5 May for further investigation.
• The Maharashtra ATS has accused Kurulkar of passing sensitive information to foreign intelligence agencies, which could compromise national security.
• According to the ATS, the scientist was in touch with Pakistan's intelligence agency operatives through various means including WhatsApp messages, voice calls and video calls.
• As per reports, Kurulkar was working at DRDO's Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune, which develops and designs armaments for the Indian Armed Forces.
• Despite being in a responsible position, the scientist allegedly misused his position to compromise sensitive government secrets, which could pose a threat to India's security if it fell into wrong hands.
• The Maharashtra ATS registered a case against the scientist under Section 1923 of the Official Secrets Act 1923 and other relevant sections.

Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO)

• It is a premier defence research and development agency under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
• It aims to make India self-reliant in critical defence technology and systems.
• It is working on several cutting edge military technology areas including aeronautics, armaments, combat vehicles, electronics, instrumentation, engineering systems, missiles, materials, naval systems, advanced computing, simulation, cyber, hypersonic technology, quantum computing and communications.
• DRDO's first project for the Indian Army was a surface-to-air missile (SAM) known as Project Indigo.
• Establishment - 1958
• Headquarters - New Delhi
• Chairman - Sameer V Kamath