India 

Former DRDO Director General suspected of unauthorized removal of confidential documents from BrahMos Aerospace, raising serious security concerns and highlighting lapses in safeguarding India's defense secrets.

Serious security breaches have surfaced at BrahMos Aerospace, with accusations pointing towards a former Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) for unauthorized removal of confidential documents from the company premises. Reports obtained by Firstpost reveal suspicions from DRDO's Vigilance Department against Sudhir Mishra, the former DG, in connection with the incident.

Details of the Alleged Breach

According to reports, Mishra enlisted the services of Big Logistics India Pvt Ltd. on the day of his retirement to transport numerous boxes and documents from BrahMos headquarters without the necessary "out-pass." Company registers indicate involvement of a person named Sultan, presumably linked to the logistics firm.

Approximately a month later, Mishra returned some materials, including a file marked "CONFIDENTIAL," which triggered the investigation uncovering significant security loopholes within the firm.

Missing Evidence and Security Failures

Investigations unveiled the absence of CCTV footage from a crucial 15-day period. Furthermore, mandatory 90-day backups of CCTV footage were not maintained, and records of items leaving the premises were found to be poorly managed.

DRDO Response and Concerns

While DRDO's investigative committee did not find concrete evidence against Mishra, the incident underscores grave concerns regarding security protocols at BrahMos. Both Mishra and BrahMos have opted not to comment on the allegations.

A Pattern of Security Concerns

This episode adds to a troubling string of security breaches involving DRDO scientists. Recent years have seen several instances of sensitive information leaks to suspected foreign agents, raising serious questions about the protection of India's defense secrets. Examples include the 2023 case of Pradeep Kurulkar, allegedly lured into espionage by Pakistani operatives, along with similar incidents in 2022 and 2018.

The Path Forward

The fallout from this alleged breach is yet to unfold. The case underscores the urgent need for bolstered security measures at sensitive defense establishments. It is crucial to ascertain Mishra's conduct and address any vulnerabilities exposed by this incident.