Ex-Army officer's plea to probe corruption in RAW dismissed

A former Army officer's plea for the CBI probe into alleged corruption in procurement of some electronic equipments for the Research and Analysis Wing and the Special Protection Group has been dismissed by a Delhi court.

Special Judge Pradeep Chaddah rejected Major General (Retd) V K Singh's Singh plea for a CBI probe into the alleged corruption in procuring ultra and very high frequency (UHF/ VHF) antennae and other equipment for RAW and SPG for want of authority.

Though the court did not entertain Singh's plea, it said there was no personal interest involved in the matter and the former Army officer had filed the plea in the interest of nation and it was not passing any direction due to the lack of authority.

"This court lacks the authority to issue direction sought by the applicant though it seems that applicant had no personal axe to grind and had interest of nation in his mind and wanted specific instances of corruption in premier agency looking after the defence and safety of the nation, investigated.

The application calls for dismissal and is dismissed," the court said. Singh had told the court that during his posting on deputation in RAW as joint secretary (Telecom), he came across several instances of corruption in the organisation and after his retirement, he highlighted the same in a book titled "India's External Intelligence Secrets of the Research & Analysis Wing," which was authored by him.

He had in 2008 sent a detailed complaint in this regard to the then CBI Director seeking registration of a case in the matter. Since the complaint evoked no response, he filed a plea under the RTI Act in January 2009 and was informed that his complaint was under verification.

Singh then moved the court seeking directions to the CBI to register a case on his complaint.

The CBI in its status report filed in the court in April submitted that none of the allegations of corruption in procurement of VHF/UHF antennas by RAW could be substantiated.

It, however, admitted there were irregularities/ inadequacies in processing case of procurement of technical equipment. In its second status report filed in August, the CBI had sought dismissal of complaint filed by Singh.

CBI prosecutor Praneet Sharma also argued that the court has no authority to direct the agency to register an FIR and conduct further investigation as the power to do so rests with the high courts and the Supreme Court.

The court also noted the observation made by the apex court in a case in 2006 that "the power of a magistrate cannot be stretched beyond giving directions to officer in charge of a police station" and noted that "the power of directing investigation to the CBI vested exclusively in the high courts and the Supreme Court."