Shillong, May 5: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a scientist on suspicion of espionage who was employed by a DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) facility in Pune.
The ATS officers said that on May 3, a DRDO scientist in Pune was discovered to have made contact with an a Pakistan Intelligence Operative (PIO) while doing official duties.
The PIO and the accused scientist spoke via social media, including voice calls, video chats, and WhatsApp messages. According to officials, despite having a responsible position, the DRDO official abused his authority and compromised critical government information, which might endanger India’s security if it were to slip into the hands of a hostile country.
A case has been registered under Section 1923 of the Official Secrets Act of 1923 and other pertinent provisions by the ATS police station in Kalachowki, Mumbai. According to officials, the investigating officer in the case is a Senior Police Inspector from the Anti-Terrorism Squad, Pune Unit.