Pune: A data theft scandal has surfaced in Pune, with a senior research officer of Duroshox Private Limited, a well-known shock absorber manufacturer, being accused of leaking confidential research and development (R&D) data to a competitor. The Shikrapur Police have registered a case of fraud and data theft against the accused, Dipul Rajendrakumar Agrawal.

According to police reports, Duroshox Private Limited, which specializes in shock absorber production for two-wheelers and four-wheelers, had been experiencing a steady rise in sales and market share. However, a sudden decline in sales and production over the past few months raised concerns, leading the company to investigate its R&D department.

The internal probe revealed that Dipul Rajendrakumar Agrawal (55), currently residing in Bavdhan, Pune, had stolen critical company research and shared it with a competitor.

The accused allegedly emailed the stolen data to himself before leaving Duroshox to join a rival company in a senior position. Using the stolen information, the competitor improved its production and sales, leading to massive financial losses for Duroshox Private Limited.

Following the discovery, Parth Mukul Gupta (33), VP, Business Development, at Duroshox, filed a formal complaint at the Shikrapur Police Station. Based on this complaint, police have registered a case of fraud and data theft against Agrawal.

Assistant Police Inspectors Mahesh Dongre and Prateek Jagtap have been assigned to the case, and further investigation is underway.