SC expresses satisfaction over probe into NTRO scandal

Referring to a confidential report submitted to it by the Centre in a sealed envelop, a bench of justices H L Dattu and C K Prasad said the action has been taken by the government and some people have been removed from the services.

It asked the government to complete the probe and take action against the erring officials by November 19.

"Some progress has been made. We do not want to disclose what is in the report as it says that it contains sensitive information and it would have impact on the national interest if disclosed," the bench said.

It, however, turned down the Centre's plea for disposing of the petition for probe into the alleged corruption and financial irregularities in NTRO.

The court was hearing a petition filed by V K Mittal, a scientist who had voluntarily retired as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) from NTRO.

Mittal had sought the court's direction to the Centre to produce all the reports relating to NTRO, namely the inquiry report of the CVC, report of an one-member panel's inquiry done at the behest of the PMO as well as a special audit report of CAG before the apex court.

NTRO was created by the government in 2004 under the Prime Minister's Office essentially to deal with Missile Monitoring, Satellite and Airborne Imagery, Cyber Patrolling and Security, Cyber Offensive operations, communication support systems as well as Cryptology.

Mittal had moved the apex court challenging the Delhi High Court's order which had in April disposed of his petition after the Centre said the departmental proceedings have been initiated against the erring officers who committed the alleged administrative and financial irregularities causing a loss to the public exchequer.