Espionage Trial Against Former DRDO Scientist Pradeep Kurulkar Begins in Pune

The espionage trial against former Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist Pradeep Kurulkar commenced in a Pune court on Monday, marking the beginning of judicial proceedings in a case involving allegations of sharing sensitive defence information with an alleged Pakistani agent.

The trial began before Additional Sessions Judge P. Y. Ladekar , more than three years after the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) filed its chargesheet on June 30, 2023 . A special court in Pune had framed charges against Kurulkar last month under various provisions of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 , clearing the way for the trial.

During the first hearing, the prosecution examined its first panch witness , who deposed regarding Kurulkar's arrest and the search-and-seizure panchnama conducted at his office. The witness was later cross-examined by defence counsel Hrishikesh Ganu , assisted by advocate Raghav Puranik . Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwala Pawar appeared for the prosecution.

The court has posted the matter for further hearing on July 14 , when additional witnesses are expected to be examined as the prosecution continues presenting its evidence.

Kurulkar, a former senior DRDO scientist, was arrested in 2023 after the Maharashtra ATS alleged that he had shared classified and sensitive defence-related information with a person suspected to be a Pakistani intelligence operative through online interactions. The prosecution has invoked Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act , which deal with penalties for spying and wrongful communication of official secrets , respectively.

The ATS maintains that the evidence gathered during its investigation supports the charges against Kurulkar, while the defence has denied the allegations and challenged the prosecution's case. With the examination of the first witness completed, the trial has formally entered the evidence stage in one of India's most closely watched espionage cases involving a former defence scientist.