<p>A high-level committee, headed by one of the DRDO chief controllers, will probe into all aspects of the allegation, DRDO sources told Deccan Herald.<br /><br />The decision was taken by the DRDO Director-General and Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister V K Saraswat based on the report submitted by an internal investigation team, led by DRDO vigilance director Ajay Gupta.<br /><br />The GTRE director was one of the 18 persons arrested by the Bangalore police on May 11 from a spa-cum-massage parlour, which is infamous for running a prostitution racket. <br />In his defence, Rao claimed he went to the parlour to explore the treatment possibilities for his wife, suffering from spondylitis.<br /><br />Out on bail, Rao has now been transferred to the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification as an outstanding scientist in the category of Scientist-H. His return to the GTRE depends on the outcome of the high-level probe. <br /><br />Though Rao was scheduled to retire later this year, he received a two-year extension because of the advancements made in the Kaveri engine programme with which he was associated for more than twenty years. <br /><br />First phase completed<br /><br />The first phase of the Kaveri engine flying test bed trials have recently been completed successfully. <br /><br />DRDO officials did not disclose the name of the CCRD who would head the high-level probe.<br /><br />The vigilance team, which visited Bangalore, last week questioned Rao about the incident and obtained a copy of the FIR. The DRDO team discussed the matter with the City Crime Branch officials who raided the parlour at Jayamahal.<br /><br />While Rao has been transferred with immediate effect, his position at GTRE would be taken over by one of the DRDO Chief Controllers A Subhanand Rao, who till recently was the director of High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune. <br /><br />“There is no question of rank or any designation coming in the way of action against him if he is found guilty,” DRDO officials added.</p>
<p>A high-level committee, headed by one of the DRDO chief controllers, will probe into all aspects of the allegation, DRDO sources told Deccan Herald.<br /><br />The decision was taken by the DRDO Director-General and Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister V K Saraswat based on the report submitted by an internal investigation team, led by DRDO vigilance director Ajay Gupta.<br /><br />The GTRE director was one of the 18 persons arrested by the Bangalore police on May 11 from a spa-cum-massage parlour, which is infamous for running a prostitution racket. <br />In his defence, Rao claimed he went to the parlour to explore the treatment possibilities for his wife, suffering from spondylitis.<br /><br />Out on bail, Rao has now been transferred to the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification as an outstanding scientist in the category of Scientist-H. His return to the GTRE depends on the outcome of the high-level probe. <br /><br />Though Rao was scheduled to retire later this year, he received a two-year extension because of the advancements made in the Kaveri engine programme with which he was associated for more than twenty years. <br /><br />First phase completed<br /><br />The first phase of the Kaveri engine flying test bed trials have recently been completed successfully. <br /><br />DRDO officials did not disclose the name of the CCRD who would head the high-level probe.<br /><br />The vigilance team, which visited Bangalore, last week questioned Rao about the incident and obtained a copy of the FIR. The DRDO team discussed the matter with the City Crime Branch officials who raided the parlour at Jayamahal.<br /><br />While Rao has been transferred with immediate effect, his position at GTRE would be taken over by one of the DRDO Chief Controllers A Subhanand Rao, who till recently was the director of High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune. <br /><br />“There is no question of rank or any designation coming in the way of action against him if he is found guilty,” DRDO officials added.</p>
