Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Nov.2: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against six people, including two serving Indian Navy commanders and two retired Indian Navy officials, for allegedly giving secret information regarding India’s Kilo Class submarines to “unauthorised persons.”
According to the sources, the six people were charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code.
The accused had been passing on classified commercial information about India’s Kilo Class submarines’ Medium Refit Life Certification or MRLC programme to “unauthorised parties for unlawful gratification,” according to the CBI.
On September 3, the CBI detained former Navy officers Randeep Singh and SJ Singh, bringing the matter to light.
According to sources, subsequent searches at the home of Commodore Randeep Singh (retired) resulted in the discovery of about 2 crore in cash.
The CBI then detained Commander Ajit Kumar Pandey, who was stationed at the Western Naval Command headquarters, as a result of the inquiry. Another Commander, who was assigned to the same headquarters as Commander Pandey, was also detained.
According to CBI sources, both of these serving commanders were passing on classified commercial information concerning the Kilo Class Submarines’ repair to retired Navy officials working for foreign corporations.
According to a source, Commander SJ Singh, who retired earlier this year, is working for a Korean corporation with interests in Indian Navy projects. In the matter, at least a dozen persons have been questioned, including a Rear Admiral.
To prevent the arrested suspect from receiving default bail, the CBI decided to file the chargesheet today. “Further inquiry is underway,” a CBI source said on condition of anonymity.
The CBI has not even made the First Information Report, or FIR, filed on September 2 public since the issue involves national security. In the CBI, the probe is being handled at the highest level.
