Form of words:
New Delhi: Uncovering an alleged corruption in the Indian Navy, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested five persons, including a serving commander, two veterans and two private persons, for providing sensitive information in connection with the modernization of a submarine project. in exchange for money”.
The CBI has registered a case of breach of trust, criminal conspiracy and under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
CBI officials did not confirm whether sections of the Official Secrets Act (OSA) were invoked in the case. In case OSA is in force, it would be a case of espionage.
Sources said the CBI conducted searches at a total of 19 places in Delhi, Noida, Mumbai and Hyderabad and recovered “defamatory documents”.
“Five people have been arrested and are currently in judicial custody. We received specific information about the involvement of men in leaking sensitive information related to a naval project, which is a matter of national security, in exchange for huge amounts of money. Soon after, we registered a case in the matter and started investigation.”
“During the investigation, we found that a commander-level officer was involved in leaking information related to the modernization project of the submarine. He was accompanied by two retired officers and two others. The men were arrested and questioned at length,” the source said.
The CBI has seized electronic gadgets including mobile phones, iPads and laptops from the accused.
“Raids were conducted and electronic documents were recovered from the devices seized from the accused. Documents are being analysed,” the source said. “These are secret documents that should not have been in the custody of these people.”
The source said some of the documents pertain to some “purchase”.
A second CBI source also said that “huge amounts of money were exchanged”, but did not elaborate further.
“It is a matter of investigation. We are investigating several links that have come up in the investigation.”
Navy launches internal investigation
Sources in the Defense and Security Establishment said the suspects were first detained in late September, and later arrested.
It is learned that the related project involves the repair of Kilo class submarines, the mainstay of the Indian Navy.
Sources said that there are other projects in which information about the accused is suspected to be leaked and investigation is on.
The Navy said in a statement on Tuesday that “an investigation into the alleged leakage of information of an administrative and commercial nature involving certain unauthorized personnel has come to the fore and is being investigated by the appropriate government agency.”
It added that the investigation is ongoing by the agency with the full support of the Indian Navy and an internal investigation has been initiated by the force.
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