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A significant update has emerged in the sensitive DRDO data leak case (2015) linked to national security in Balasore, Odisha. Asif Ali, a suspected terrorist connected to the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI, was brought to Balasore from Meerut Jail on a production warrant and presented before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court on Friday.
Asif Ali is accused of supplying weapons and ammunition to the ISI. These weapons were intended to be used in terrorist activities. He was arrested from Meerut in 2015. In the same case, Ishwar Behera, a cameraman working at the Chandipur DRDO center in Balasore, was also arrested.
Investigations revealed that Ishwar Behera had leaked sensitive information related to DRDO to Pakistan. Asif Ali was not only involved in this conspiracy but also played an active role in supplying weapons and providing technical information.
Ishwar Behera has already been sentenced to life imprisonment in this case. The trial against Asif Ali is ongoing on serious charges including sedition, criminal conspiracy, and matters related to national security.
During his court appearance, Asif Ali filed a bail application, which the court dismissed. Assistant Legal Defense Counsel Rajiv Kumar Pani stated that proceedings are underway against the accused under serious sections of the IPC, including 120(B), 121(A), 3, 4, 5, and the Official Secrets Act.
Security agencies believe that this case was a major security alert for the country. The DRDO center in Balasore is a crucial part of India’s defense research, and the leakage of information from here could pose a serious threat to national security.
During Asif Ali’s presentation, tight security arrangements were made in the court premises. Several teams of police and intelligence agencies remained vigilant to prevent any untoward incident. The court has rejected Asif Ali’s bail application in the ongoing hearing.
