A special court in Pune on Thursday framed charges against a senior Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist under the Official Secrets (OS) Act, nearly three years after the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) filed a chargesheet in an alleged honey trap and espionage case.
Development Paves Way for Trial
The framing of charges marks a significant step toward the commencement of trial in this high-profile case. The accused is alleged to have misused his official position to leak classified information pertaining to national security to a Pakistani intelligence operative.
The scientist, who held a high-ranking position at a DRDO laboratory in Pune, was arrested by the ATS on May 3, 2023.
Next Hearing Set for June 20
Special ATS Judge P. Y. Ladekar has scheduled the next hearing for June 20 to complete a procedure under Section 294 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). This provision allows documents to be admitted as evidence without formal proof if their genuineness is not contested by the opposing party.
Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwala Pawar told The Times of India, “The trial will commence once this procedure is over. The crux of the charges relates to willful, wrongful and unauthorized communication of classified and incriminating information to suspected foreign entities, namely a Pakistani intelligence operative, which is prejudicial to the safety of a state and likely to affect the sovereignty and integrity of India.”
Defence lawyer Rushikesh Ganu confirmed, “The court has framed the charges, and we shall wait for the prosecution to take further steps for the hearing of the case.”
Reasons for Delay
The delay in framing charges was primarily due to the scientist’s plea seeking discharge from the case on legal technicalities and his attempts to secure bail. The Pune special court rejected his bail plea on December 7, 2023, and the Bombay High Court dismissed it on April 15, 2026.
Ganu added, “The special court rejected our client’s discharge plea today before proceeding with the framing of charges.”
Charges Under Official Secrets Act
The ATS had filed the chargesheet for offences under sections 3 (penalties for spying), 5(1)(6)(a)(d) (wrongful communication of information), and 4 (communication with foreign agents as evidence of commission of certain offences) of the Official Secrets Act.
The case has drawn significant attention due to its implications for national security and the involvement of a senior defence scientist.
