Odisha police arrest officer at DRDO’s test centre for sharing defence info to Pakistan

ITR, Chandipur, a test and evaluation centre of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), provides reliable launch facilities for performance evaluation of rockets, missiles and air-borne weapon systems.

The accused was usually present on his assigned work in ITR, Chandipur, at the time of testing of almost all missiles and cluster bombs of the DRDO and other defence agencies. Dey remains in contact with DRDO staff/scientists and is exposed to sensitive technical information related to missile launch. He also gets information on the testing of missiles in advance.

Balasore SP Sagarika Nath said the police and central agencies have been keeping a close watch on certain individuals following the arrest of five ITR employees for allegedly sharing sensitive information.

“The joint investigation by police and central agencies is underway. After we got concrete information about transmission of sensitive information, we detained a few people and interrogated them,” said Nath.

She said the police got full information about transmission of images as well as sensitive communication by the arrested person. The police also seized the mobile phone of the accused officer.

The case has been registered under section 120-A, 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (criminal act done by several persons) and Section 3/4/5 of the Official Secrets Act based on the written complaint of Chandra Sekhar Mohanty, sub-inspector of Chandipur police station.

A statement issued by the Balasore police said the official had managed to transmit/share the secrets of sensitive defence information regarding missile test etc to a Pakistan agent for sexual as well as monetary gratification through WhatsApp conversations and video calls.

Nath said police are probing the financial transaction angle also.

In September 2021, the Odisha Police had arrested five contractual employees of ITR, Chandipur, on charges of leaking sensitive information after allegedly being honey-trapped. In January 2015, Ishwar Chandra Behera, a former cameraman of ITR, Chandipur, was arrested for spying for Pakistani agencies. He was convicted in the case in February 2021.

IG (eastern range) Himansu Lal said the location of girls in the honeytrap cases was Rawalpindi in Pakistan in all the cases.

“We will approach international organisations to zero in on those who use girls for honeytrap,” said Lal.

In view of frequent occurrence of such cases, Nath said they will sensitise employees of ITR.