The Bombay High Court has refused to grant bail to Pradeep Kurulkar, a former scientist with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), who was taken into custody by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in connection with an espionage investigation earlier this year.
Kurulkar, who previously led the Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) at DRDO, sought bail following a denial from a special court in Pune in December 2023.
In his ruling, Justice Shivkumar G Dige stated that Kurulkar held a significant position and had allegedly shared sensitive information with a Pakistani Intelligence Officer (PIO). The judge expressed concerns that, despite Kurulkar’s retirement, his ties to his former subordinates could lead to potential witness tampering or even absconding, given his prior interactions with the PIO.
Justice Dige noted that although Kurulkar contended that the information he provided was publicly available, evidence indicated he had maintained contact with an unidentified individual while serving as the Director of DRDO. Over the course of approximately one year, he reportedly engaged in extensive communication with the PIO, which included intimate discussions, leading to suspicions about the nature of their relationship.
The judge reviewed witness testimonies that revealed Kurulkar had disclosed details about the Aero India Show and the testing of the Rustom 2 unmanned aerial vehicle, activities that are typically classified under DRDO’s confidentiality protocols. Additionally, another witness reported that Kurulkar had shared information concerning a military tank operation program held in May 2022, which was restricted to military personnel.
Kurulkar was arrested by the ATS in May 2023 under the Official Secrets Act for alleged espionage and unauthorized communications with an individual posing as “Zara Dasgupta” in a suspected honey-trap scheme.
DRDO had received alerts regarding Kurulkar’s purported illicit connections to a Pakistan-based operative, leading to the confiscation of his electronic devices, including mobile phones and computers, for forensic examination in February 2023.
According to the ATS, investigations revealed that Kurulkar had engaged in regular communications with the PIO through various messaging platforms, during which he transmitted confidential information. Following a complaint from DRDO’s vigilance unit, the ATS arrested him, and he was subsequently suspended from his position.
In a chargesheet filed on June 30, 2023, the ATS identified Zara Dasgupta as a wanted suspect.
During the hearing, Kurulkar’s attorney argued that the investigation had concluded, a chargesheet had been submitted, and he had been incarcerated for nearly three years without prior criminal history. The defense maintained that the trial process would be lengthy, and while the PIO had requested information about a specific project via WhatsApp, Kurulkar had unequivocally refused to comply.
The lawyer further contended that files discovered on Kurulkar’s phone were in an unzipped format, indicating that no specialized software had been installed as allegedly requested by the PIO, thus advocating for his release on bail.
Conversely, the state’s counsel opposed the bail request, asserting that witness statements indicated Kurulkar had indeed shared sensitive information with the PIO that was not accessible to the public, and stressed that his release could jeopardize the ongoing investigation.
Omkar Gokhale, a journalist for The Indian Express, has established a reputation for thorough coverage of legal matters, particularly those concerning the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court in Maharashtra, making his insights a reliable source on these important developments.
