CBI files case against ex-Navy officer in disproportionate assets matter

The case has been registered under sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act relating to criminal misconduct by a public servant. The CBI is conducting verification of assets and will carry out searches if required. No arrests have been made so far.

In Short

• Case filed by CBI against Captain Raminder Singh Wadhwa (Retd)
• Accused served in Directorate of Naval Design prior to retirement
• The unit oversees warship and submarine design for the Indian Navy

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against a retired Indian Navy officer for allegedly amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income during his service. The accused has been identified as Captain Raminder Singh Wadhwa (Retd), who has served in a naval unit whose areas of responsibility are highly confidential in nature.

Prior to his retirement, he was posted to the Directorate of Naval Design, which oversees warship and submarine design for the Indian Navy. Officers posted to the unit have access to sensitive shipbuilding and procurement programmes.

Sources said that the FIR registered by the CBI alleges that Capt Wadhwa accumulated movable and immovable assets "substantially in excess" of his lawful earnings while in service. The probe agency is examining bank accounts, property documents, and investment records linked to him and his family members over the 2010-2020 period.

The case has been registered under sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act relating to criminal misconduct by a public servant. The CBI is conducting verification of assets and will carry out searches if required. No arrests have been made so far. The investigation is at a preliminary stage.

The Directorate of Naval Design is a key technical arm of the Navy responsible for indigenous warship design.

ARMY COLONEL ARRESTED BY CBI

The case against Capt Wadhwa (Retd) is the second major action taken by the CBI against a serving or former military personnel recently.

Earlier, on Tuesday, May 19, the central agency said it had arrested a serving colonel-rank officer posted with the Army Ordnance Corps under the Eastern Command in Kolkata in connection with an alleged Rs 50 lakh bribery case.

The Army officer, Colonel Himanshu Bali, is accused of favouring a Kanpur-based company by allegedly manipulating the award of tenders, approving substandard samples, and facilitating clearance of pending and inflated bills.

Several others, including unknown persons, have also been named as accused in the bribery case.

- Ends
(With inputs from agencies)