Pune Court Rejects Bail Application Of DRDO Scientist Pradeep Kurulkar In Espionage Case
Pune, 7th December 2023: A court in Pune today rejected bail application of senior DRDO scientist Dr Pradeep Kurulkar who is accused of passing defence secrets to Pakistani intelligence operative. Additional Sessions Judge VR Kachare passed the order.
Dr. Kurulkar’s advocate, Rishikesh Ganu, had submitted a bail application, emphasizing that the evidence, based on mobile and technology, would remain intact. He argued that, as a result, there was no risk of tampering by the accused.
However, public prosecutor Vijay Fargade, representing the anti-terrorism squad (ATS), opposed the bail application.
The court highlighted that Dr. Kurulkar had deleted some data from his mobile phone, and a seized phone had been sent to Gujarat for forensic examination, with the report pending. The scientist is alleged to have disclosed classified information to a spy from Pakistan’s intelligence agency.
Adv. Fargade asserted that Dr. Kurulkar, being a high-ranking officer, posed a significant threat. WhatsApp chats revealed Kurulkar’s willingness to divulge highly confidential information to a Pakistani intelligence spy, who had identified herself as Zara Dasgupta, as detailed in the charge sheet filed by the ATS.
The ATS investigation uncovered Kurulkar’s alleged supply of information about DRDO-developed projects, including Agni, Missile Launcher, MBDA, BrahMos, Rustum, Surface to Air Missile (SAM), among others. The information was passed on social media and email. Kurulkar was posted as Director, Research & Development Establishment (Engrs.) in Vishrantwadi, a unit of the DRDO, when he was arrested in May.
The court, after considering arguments from both sides, found prima facie evidence in the case. Acknowledging the seriousness of the crime and pending data retrieval from the mobile, the court, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s judgment, deemed it inappropriate to grant bail in the presence of eyewitness evidence against Kurulkar. Consequently, his bail application was rejected.
While awaiting the receipt of the judgment copy, the Kurulkar’s lawyer expressed intentions to apply for bail in the Bombay High Court after obtaining the necessary documentation.
