Missing nuclear scientist found — in jail

CHENNAI - Nearly five days after a scientist with the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu was reported missing, he was traced Thursday to a jail in the city on charges of sexual harassment.

V.V. Radhakrishnan, a scientific officer with India’s premier atomic research agency, was reportedly missing since June 5 evening. According to police, Radhakrishnan was detained on a complaint by a woman named Shahnawaz who runs a manpower supply agency.

“Radhakrishnan seems to have mistaken the agency’s advertisement as one providing escort services. From three mobile numbers and two instruments, he used to call the agency and speak to them in vulgar language. He had also sent indecent messages (SMSes),” an official at Pallavaram police station in the city told IANS.

Acting on the complaint filed by the woman, police suggested Shahnawaz to lure Radhakrishnan to a predetermined spot June 6.

“When Radhakrishan came there we took him in custody. He told us that he is from Bangalore and worked with a software company there. He also gave a Bangalore address. We then sent a communication to Bangalore police to verify the address and remanded Radhakrishnan June 7,” the official said.

Radhakrishnan gave a false name to police in Pallavaram.

Thirty-eight-year-old Radhakrishnan is married to Sheeja, a teacher in Kerala. He was staying alone at his official house at Anupuram in Kalpakkam, around 80 km from here.

Sheeja said she had spoken to Radhakrishnan June 5 at 8.30 p.m. But when she called him again at 10 p.m. his mobile phone was switched off.

Subsequently, she came to know from Radhakrishnan’s colleague that his house is locked.

Not knowing that Radhakrishnan was taken to custody by police and was lodged in Puzhal jail here, a worried Sheeja came to Kalpakkam and lodged a missing person complaint Wednesday and a first information report (FIR) was registered.

Thirukazhukundram Circle Inspector S. Manickam told IANS Thursday that Radhakrishnan’s scooter was recovered at a junction near Vengambakkam village Wednesday. The vehicle was found near a bus stop.

Radhakrishnan used to bring his Goa registered two-wheeler to the junction to board a bus, he said.

The police in Pallavaram recognised Radhakrishnan from the missing person photograph issued in newspaper and informed Thirukazhukundram Circle Inspector Manickam.

IGCAR spokesperson J. Daniel Chellappa said Radhakrishnan joined the institute in 2004 and was not involved in work of any sensitive nature.