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Bombay HC Denies Bail to Ex-DRDO Scientist Pradeep Kurulkar in Official Secrets Act Espionage Case

Target:MPSCUPSC GS-IIISSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
15 Apr 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:May 2023February 24, 2023June 30, 2023
Bodies:Bombay High CourtDRDOMaharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS)
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Bombay HC rejects bail for ex-DRDO scientist Pradeep Kurulkar, arrested in 2023 for espionage under the Official Secrets Act.

2.Court notes he held the key post of Director at DRDO's R&D Establishment and allegedly shared sensitive info on Aero India Show and Rustom 2 UAV with a PIO.

3.This case is a critical study point for national security, internal threats, and the legal framework (Official Secrets Act) for UPSC and other exams.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Bombay High Court has denied bail to former DRDO scientist Pradeep Kurulkar, arrested under the Official Secrets Act for espionage. The court cited his sensitive position, alleged sharing of defence information with a Pakistani Intelligence Officer (PIO), and the risk of witness tampering. This case underscores critical internal security and counter-intelligence challenges.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Arresting AgencyMaharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS)
Law AppliedOfficial Secrets Act
Arrest Year2023
Bail Denied ByBombay High Court (Justice Shivkumar G Dige)
Key Post HeldDirector, DRDO's Research and Development Establishment (Engineers)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Arresting Agency: Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS)
  • ›Law Applied: Official Secrets Act
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Official Secrets Act, 1923 - the law under which the scientist was arrested.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: DRDO's Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) - the specific unit he headed.
  • ›Target this Agency: Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) - the agency that made the arrest and investigated.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Under which law was former DRDO scientist Pradeep Kurulkar arrested in the espionage case?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the espionage case involving ex-DRDO scientist Pradeep Kurulkar:

1. He was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2023.

2. The Bombay High Court denied him bail, citing concerns that he might influence witnesses who were his former subordinates.

3. The alleged Pakistani Intelligence Officer was posing under the name 'Zara Dasgupta' in a suspected honey-trap.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

In which year was former DRDO scientist Pradeep Kurulkar arrested by the Maharashtra ATS in the espionage case?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What was a primary reason cited by the Bombay High Court for denying bail to the ex-DRDO scientist?

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