The Karnataka High Court has directed the formation of a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the alleged theft of sensitive drone technology data from a Bengaluru-based private firm. The decision, issued on April 25 by Justice M Nagaprasanna, follows a complaint filed by NewSpace Research and Technologies Pvt Ltd.
NewSpace accused its former employees of unlawfully copying proprietary data and sharing it with Lenviz, their new employer. According to the company, this confidential information was used by Lenviz to replicate NewSpace products, compete in a drone innovation challenge, and secure defence-related contracts, thereby creating a serious case of industrial espionage with national security implications.
The high-profile case has raised red flags within defence and innovation circles, prompting the court to prioritize a thorough and impartial probe. The SIT will now examine how intellectual property critical to national interest was allegedly misused and whether the data breach was facilitated by any internal security lapses or external conspiracies.
This case underscores the growing vulnerabilities in India’s emerging tech and defence sectors, especially where high-value dual-use technologies like drones are involved.
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