Indian navy raided in leaks probe:

source: BBC
Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/5110588.stm


India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has raided 19 locations in four cities as part of an inquiry into the theft of naval military secrets. CBI officials said the navy headquarters in Delhi had been raided, as had the Ministry of Defence.

Premises in Calcutta, Vishakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar had also been targeted, naval officials said.

News of the theft from navy offices emerged last year and inquiries have been continuing since then.

The places searched belong to naval and army officers, defence ministry officials and civilians, a statement issued by the CBI on Friday said.

'Gratifications:'

The searches were carried out to collect evidence based on leads provided by the investigation, the statement added.

It said investigations indicate there is a larger ring of officials in various wings of the armed forces and the defence ministry who were giving out sensitive information in exchange for what it described as 'gratifications.'

The statement did not explain what exactly those 'gratifications' were.

The BBC's Subir Bhaumik in Calcutta says it is not yet clear whether the CBI has found any fresh evidence following a series of arrests made earlier this year.

Our correspondent says the international police force Interpol has issued a notice against the former Naval Commander Ravi Shankaran, for his alleged links to those involved in the war room leak.

Mr Shankaran has also been declared a proclaimed offender and has absconded.

The authorities at airports, railway stations, major ports and bus terminals have been ordered to arrest him.

BBC