DRDO case chargesheet lists WhatsApp chats: ‘Launcher is my design…’

It’s learnt that the various WhatsApp chats between the two, which are detailed in the chargesheet, includes one about a specific missile system for which Kurulkar allegedly writes: “The launcher is my design babe”. He also writes that it was a “Great success”.

In another chat with the Pakistani operative that is listed in the chargesheet, it is learnt, Kurulkar allegedly writes the “Astra missile” is more “accurate” than “Meteor”. The chargesheet was submitted by the ATS in a special court in Pune on June 30.

On Friday, during a hearing before special judge V R Kachare, prosecution lawyer Vijay Fargade handed over a copy to the defence counsel Rhishikesh Ganu. When contacted, Ganu said, “We have received the chargesheet running into six volumes. Instructions will be sought (from Kurulkar) for further course of action.”

It is learnt that the chargesheet includes WhatsApp chats between Kurulkar and “Zara” on “BrahMos, Agni 6, Rustom (a medium altitude long-endurance unmanned air vehicle), Surface to Air Missiles (SAM), Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAV), Drone projects” of DRDO.

It also includes chats on “Quadcopter, DRDO duty chart, Meteor missile, Rafael, Akash and Astra missile” and refers to a private Indian defence company executive, it is learnt.

Until days before his arrest, Kurulkar was head of DRDO’s Research and Development Establishment (Engineers), R&DE (E), laboratory. He has played a key role in several strategically significant projects of the DRDO, including the nuclear-capable Agni missile and Mission Shakti, which was an anti-satellite missile test, in addition to several other missile and strategic defence systems.

In the chargesheet, the ATS is learnt to have alleged that the top scientist shared confidential and sensitive information with the Pakistani operative about R&DE (E) projects despite knowing that it can cause danger to the nation’s security and sovereignty. The ATS is also learnt to have alleged that Kurulkar stored information and documents about DRDO work on his Android cell phone, which was against rules.

The chargesheet, it is learnt, states that Kurulkar violated the DRDO’s security guidelines published in its bulletin that is released from time to time through the organisation’s internal “Mayurpankh” intranet system.

The chargesheet in the suspected honey trap case states that the accused woman allegedly developed contact with Kurulkar to get crucial information about military projects. Along with WhatsApp, it’s learnt, ATS has said in the chargesheet that it suspects the duo also communicated through email and Instagram – and that a “gmail” address belonging to a user in Pakistan was used for communicating with Kurulkar.

It is also learnt that the charge sheet details how the Pakistani operative allegedly asked Kurulkar to download “bingechat.net” and “cloudchat.net” on his cell phone for “video calls”.

Kurulkar was arrested on May 3 by the ATS under sections of the Official Secrets Act (OSA) pertaining to spying and wrongful communication with a Pakistani intelligence operative in a suspected case of honey trap. So far, the ATS has recorded the statements of 203 witnesses, including DRDO officials and an IAF personnel who was also allegedly contacted by the Pakistani operative, in this case.

On Friday, defence counsel Ganu submitted before the court written notes of arguments opposing the ATS application seeking Kurulkar’s “Polygraph” and “voice layer and psychological analysis” tests.

Kurulkar had denied consent for conducting these tests claiming it causes violation of his fundamental rights enshrined under articles 20 and 21 of the Constitution. The ATS will submit its response at the next hearing. Kurulkar is currently under judicial custody in Yerwada jail.