Defence research official arrested for sharing information with Pakistan

Balasore: A senior official of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was arrested on Friday for allegedly sharing information with a Pakistani spy. A case has been filed against him under IPC sections 120A and 120B (criminal conspiracy), besides the Official Secrets Act.

The Odisha police said he gave confidential information on India's defence sector to the spy. "A senior employee of ITR-Chandipur has been arrested. He managed to transmit some sensitive information regarding missile tests to a foreign agent," said Himansu Kumar Lal, the Inspector-General of Police (Eastern Range).

He was detained on the basis of a complaint at the police station. Balasore's Superintendent of Police (SP) Sagarika Nath said the details can only be ascertained after thorough interrogation.

The police think he may have received information for "sexual as well as monetary gratification." They added that WhatsApp chats and sexually explicit photos and videos were found on his phone.

The 57-year-old official was posted at the DRDO's Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha's Balasore district. Chandipur has two DRDO test ranges -- PXE (Proof and Experimental Establishment) and ITR. They are used to evaluate the performances of its missiles, rockets, and air-borne weapons systems.

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