Bombay High Court Denies Bail to Ex-DRDO Scientist in Honey-Trap Espionage Case

• •Pradeep Kurulkar, a retired DRDO scientist, denied bail for sharing sensitive information.
• •The Bombay High Court cited risks of witness tampering and flight risk in its decision.
• •The case involves allegations of honey-trap espionage linked to Pakistani intelligence.

The Bombay High Court has denied bail to Pradeep Kurulkar, a retired scientist from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), who was arrested in May 2023 for allegedly sharing sensitive defense information with a woman linked to Pakistani intelligence. The court highlighted that Kurulkar engaged in intimate chats over more than a year, during which he reportedly disclosed vital information. The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) claims to have recovered significant evidence from these conversations, which they describe as 'explosive.' Kurulkar's defense argues that the information shared is already public. The court expressed concerns about Kurulkar potentially influencing witnesses and the risk of him absconding. The case stems from a complaint by the defense research establishment, emphasizing the serious implications of espionage in national security. As of now, Kurulkar remains in custody pending further legal proceedings.