A special court in Pune has framed charges against former DRDO scientist Pradeep Kurulkar. The case centers on a high-profile honey-trap espionage allegation. The court framed charges on June 18, and the trial begins in July.
Kurulkar once headed a key DRDO research establishment in Pune. He held access to sensitive defense, missile, and military projects. These included programs tied to the BrahMos cruise missile and Agni-6. Indian investigators allege he shared classified details with a foreign operative.
According to the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad, the contact began in June 2022. Kurulkar received a WhatsApp message from a British number. The profile claimed to be a London-based software engineer named Zara Dasgupta. Investigators allege she was actually a Pakistani intelligence operative.
The chargesheet describes an eight-month online operation. The exchanges allegedly moved from personal chats to sensitive defense matters. Investigators say topics later spanned Rafale jets, the Meteor missile, and drone projects. The ATS alleges Kurulkar used a personal, unencrypted phone, bypassing security protocols.
DRDO officials grew suspicious in February 2023. The agency seized his phones, laptop, and hard drives for forensic analysis. The ATS later filed a chargesheet exceeding 1,800 pages. Kurulkar was arrested in May 2023 under the Official Secrets Act.
That law carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. The Bombay High Court denied him bail in April 2026. The court cited the seriousness of the allegations and witness-influence concerns.
Pakistan has not officially commented on the case or acknowledged any operation. In Pakistan, the story is likely to be read mainly through the India-Pakistan security lens. Analysts also note the broader regional risk, since honey-trap tactics target officials on both sides of the border.
Kurulkar denies the charges against him, however. His defense argues the information was already in the public domain. His counsel maintains investigators exaggerated the case. The prosecution counters that the chats contained protected defense information. The trial will now test that evidence, including digital records and forensic reports.
