Honeytrapped DRDO Scientist Lured By Pakistani Spy, Discussed Indian Missile, Drone Projects: ATS

A chargesheet filed by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of the Maharashtra police alleges that DRDO scientist Pradeep Kurulkar was lured by a Pakistani Intelligence Operative using the alias 'Zara Dasgupta'.

According to the chargesheet, Kurulkar was involved in conversations with 'Zara Dasgupta' regarding Indian missile systems and other classified defence projects.

Kurulkar, who held the position of director at a DRDO lab in Pune, had the chargesheet filed against him in court last week. Pradeep Kurulkar was arrested on 3 May under the Official Secrets Act and is currently in judicial custody. The chargesheet reveals that Kurulkar and 'Zara Dasgupta' communicated through WhatsApp, as well as through voice and video calls.

Pradeep Kurulkar was appointed as the Director at the Systems Engineering Laboratory of the Research & Development Establishment (Engineers) [R&DE(E)], which is a part of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

'Zara Dasgupta' allegedly posed as a software engineer in the UK and engaging in explicit communication with Kurulkar through messages and videos.

During the investigation, her IP address was traced to Pakistan, as stated in the chargesheet by the ATS.

The chargesheet highlights the attempt made by the Pakistani agent to obtain classified and sensitive information on various military equipment, including the Brahmos Launcher, Drone, UCV, Agni Missile Launcher, and Military Bridging System.

Kurulkar, in his role as a lead designer and team leader, was instrumental in the development and design of several military engineering equipment and systems. These include hyperbaric chambers, high-pressure pneumatic systems, mobile power supplies, and missile launchers for programmes like AD, MRSAM, Nirbhay subsonic cruise missile system, Prahar, QRSAM, and XRSAM.

"Kurulkar, who was attracted to her, stored the classified and sensitive information of DRDO on his personal phone and then allegedly shared it with Zara," the chargesheet said, reports Livemint.

The ATS further said that Pradeep Kurulkar had discussions with 'Zara Dasgupta' regarding various projects, including surface-to-air missiles (SAM), drones, Brahmos and Agni Missile Launchers, and UCV (Unmanned Combat Vehicles). Their contact spanned from June 2022 to December 2022.

However, just before an internal investigation by DRDO was initiated in February 2023 due to his suspicious activities, Kurulkar blocked Zara's number.

Shortly after blocking 'Zara Dasgupta's' number, Kurulkar received a WhatsApp message from an unidentified Indian number, questioning why his number had been blocked.

The chat records presented in the chargesheet indicated that Kurulkar shared his personal and official schedules, as well as his locations, with 'Zara Dasgupta', despite knowing that such information was not to be shared with anyone.