Youth arrested for possession of DRDO documents, radioactive material

KOLKATA: A youth, identified as Francis Ikka, has been arrested in Darjeeling district of West Bengal for allegedly possessing highly classified documents belonging to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and a significant quantity of radioactive material.

Francis, who is reportedly the husband of Amrita Ikka, a Trinamool Congress leader in the Naxalbari Panchayat Samiti, was taken into custody following a raid by the police. During the operation, several DRDO documents and a considerable amount of Californium — a highly valuable radioactive material — were seized.

According to police sources, Californium is valued at approximately Rs 17 crore per gram. However, Francis failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the possession of these items during interrogation.

Authorities have registered a case against him for alleged smuggling of classified DRDO materials and radioactive substances. Preliminary investigations suggest possible links with foreign entities, though the specifics are yet to be confirmed.

The house from which the materials were recovered has been sealed as part of the investigation. Police officials have stated that further interrogation is underway and more details are expected to emerge in the coming days.