The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday filed its first charge sheet in the arrest of six persons, including two serving Indian Navy officers, for allegedly leaking confidential information about India’s Kilo Class submarines. The accused have been booked for charges of criminal conspiracy under Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act in the charge sheet filed before a special CBI judge to prevent them from getting default bail. The case came to fore after the CBI arrested Randeep Singh, a Commodore-ranked retired officer, and SJ Singh, a Commander ranked retired officer working for a Korean Submarine company, on September 3.

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During subsequent searches, the agency seized Rs 2 crore from the residence of Randeep Singh.

Those arrested also include a director of a private company, an alleged hawala operator and two serving naval officers, who were allegedly leaking confidential information to Randeep and SJ Singh in return for pecuniary gains. The serving naval officers have been identified as Commander Ajit Kumar Pandey who was posted at the Western Naval Command headquarters and another commander who was serving under him.

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The confidential information pertained to the refit of the Kilo Class Submarines.

The role of some foreign nationals is also being probed in the case.

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The Anti-Corruption unit of CBI, which handles sensitive and high profile corruption cases, has also questioned several other officers and ex-servicemen who were in regular touch with the accused.

A forensic analysis of digital devices used by the officers is underway to understand the extent of the leak,

“Investigation related to alleged information leak of administrative and commercial nature being with some unauthorised personnel has come to light and is being investigated by appropriate government agency,” the navy said in a statement.

The navy has launched an internal inquiry and is offering complete support to the CBI investigation, the statement added.

(With inputs from Press Trust of India)