Pradeep Kurulkar is an Indian scientist and engineer who has worked on several projects with the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), India’s premier defense research agency. He hit the headlines in May 2023 after the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of the Maharashtra Police arrested him in Pune on espionage charges.
Wiki/Biography
Pradeep M. Kurulkar was born on Tuesday, November 19, 1963 in Pune, Maharashtra, India (age 59; as of 2022). His zodiac sign is Scorpio. After completing his education in Pune, Kurulkar studied at College of Engineering, Pune (COEP), where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from 1981 to 1985. He graduated with honors. Later, he studied at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) where he obtained a degree in advanced power electronics courses, where he chose to specialize in drives and applications.
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′8″
Hair Color: Salt and Pepper
Eye color: dark brown
family
Pradeep Kurukkar was born into a Hindu family in Maharashtra.
Parents and siblings
There is not much information about his parents and siblings.
Pradeep Kurulkar with his parents
wife and children
His wife, Bharati Kurulkar, is a doctor. His son Keyur Kurulkar is an engineer and musician.
Photos of Pradeep Kurulkar and wife Bharati Kurulkar
Photos of Keyur Kurulkar
Profession
defense research and development organization
Pradeep Kurulkar started his career as a scientist in 1988 at DRDO Combat Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) in Pune. There, Kuruca specializes in the design and development of missile launchers, military engineering equipment, advanced robots and mobile unmanned systems for military applications. Later, he became part of DRDO’s Akash surface-to-air missile project as project leader and system manager.
Akash surface-to-air missile launch photos
As Program Director, Pradeep also played a vital role in the design and development of the rail and road variants of the Agni ICBM. He participated in the project along with Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. He also led many DRDO projects such as missile launchers of AD programme, Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM), Nirbhay Subsonic Cruise Missile System, Praha Missile, Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM), XRSAM ( eXtra – Serves as team leader and lead designer for long-range surface-to-air missiles), hyperbaric chambers and power banks, and high-pressure pneumatic systems.
Photos taken during testing of Nirbhay missile by the Armed Forces
Thereafter, he was appointed as ‘F’ Grade Scientist, ADS Group, R&D Establishment (Engrs.), Pune. He also played a vital role in the design of India’s first anti-satellite missile ‘Shakti’, which was successfully test-fired on March 27, 2019. Subsequently, he was appointed as Director, Research and Development Establishment (Engrs.). Under his leadership, the R&D center is committed to high-performance high-power servo drive technology, platform stabilization technology, AFPM-based alternator technology, VSCF-based power supply technology, electric propulsion technology, missile tank technology, small UGV autonomous navigation technology, Dangerous goods intelligent robot manipulator, etc. Military applications and linear motor technology. Kurukkar was scheduled to retire from DRDO in November 2023 but was arrested in May 2023.
research work
During his career, Pradeep Kurulkar has written numerous research articles for several national and international journals, such as Hallsensor failure detector and failure purlerant control of PMSMdrive system, Implementations of slip modeobserver for sensorless field oriented control of PMSM using July 2015 TMS320F2812 June 2016, Defense Applications Power Systems Review Part I: Generator Sets and Defense Applications Power Systems Review Part II: Power Regulator Systems December 2017, and more.
dispute
Arrested by ATS on espionage charges
On May 3, 2023, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra Police arrested Pradeep Kurulkar in Pune for passing sensitive information to Pakistan through his intelligence agency PIO , after a senior official of the Vigilance and Safety Wing of DRDO filed a complaint against him. According to the ATS, Kuruca was lured by a Pakistani woman to whom he revealed military secrets through WhatsApp messages and video calls. The ATS revealed more information, saying that Pradeep came into contact with Pakistani agents in early 2022 after being lured through social media, and the agents later blackmailed Pradeep by threatening to release private photos and chat logs. The case against Kuruca was brought under the Official Secrets Act 1923. ATS said in its official statement,
While on official duty, he was found to be in contact with operatives of the Pakistan Intelligence Agency (PIO) through WhatsApp messages and voice and video calls. Despite holding responsible positions, DRDO officials abused their powers and thereby leaked sensitive government secrets which could pose a threat to India’s security if it fell into the hands of any adversary. Although he knew that the official secrets he held could pose a threat to national security if obtained by an enemy, he still provided detailed information to the enemy. The Kalachowki unit of Mumbai ATS has filed a case against the accused under relevant sections of the Official Secrets Act (OSA). Further investigation is ongoing. “
The ATS later seized his electronic devices to determine the extent to which Pradeep provided information to Pakistani intelligence services.
#watch | DRDO espionage case: Accused DRDO scientist Pradeep Kurulkar brought to Pune ATS office for investigation.
(ATS sources identified defendant) https://t.co/nag1KoWP3F pic.twitter.com/qtJ2hQ87uu
— ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2023
Awards, Honors, Achievements
- In 2000, Pradeep Kurulkar received the Science Day Award.
- In 2002, he received the DRDO Agni Self-Reliance Excellence Award for his key role in the Agni missile project.
- In 2008, Pradeep Kurulkar was awarded the DRDO Award for pioneering research/outstanding technological development for leading the development of the Akash missile system.
- In 2016, he received the DRDO Excellence in Performance Award for his work on the MRSAM project.
- In the same year, Pradeep Kurulkar received the Technical Excellence Award from DEMA.
- He is a member of the Institution of Engineers (India).
- In January 2023, Ajeenkya DY Patil University (ADYPU) conferred honorary D.Litt degree to Pradeep Kurulkar.
Photos of Pradeep Kurulkar meeting D.Litt in January 2023
salary
Being a Class H Scientist, also known as Distinguished Scientist, Pradeep Kurulkar’s salary is Rs. 1,82,200 + other allowances as per 7th Pay Commission.
Facts/Trivia
- Pradeep Kurulkar is a member of Fluid Power Society of India (FPSI) and Robotics Association of India. He is also a life member of the Indian Institute of Aerospace and Allied Establishments (INSARM) and the Institute of Intelligent Structures and Systems (ISSS).
- Pradeep Kurulkar has been invited to deliver motivational speeches on different occasions.
Photo taken while Pradeep Kurulkar was giving a motivational speech at an event
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education