Security forces apprehended the spouse of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader on November 26 in Belgachi village, situated in the Naxalbari block of Darjeeling district, West Bengal after sensitive documents belonging to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and radioactive Californium material were found in his possession.
According to reports, the suspect, identified as Francis Ekka, is married to Amrita Ekka, a member of the Naxalbari Panchayat Samiti.
A joint operation by the police and the army led to the seizure of a significant quantity of radioactive Californium and classified DRDO documents from Francis. The market value of 1 gram of Californium is estimated to be ₹17 crore.
Francis Ekka has also been accused of smuggling DRDO documents. Authorities suspect he has been involved in anti-national activities for a considerable time and has connections with foreign networks.
Kurseong Additional SP Abhishek Roy stated, “The house has been sealed. Several crucial documents and chemicals were recovered.” He also confirmed that the combined team of police and military officials is currently interrogating Francis Ekka.
Both Francis Ekka and his wife, a TMC representative, were formerly employed as permanent workers at the Belgachi tea estate but resigned after Amrita assumed her role in the Naxalbari Panchayat Samiti.
(With inputs from Republic)
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