The Hindu : National : No links with Ravi Shankaran, says Navy Chief

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 09, 2006

National

National

No links with Ravi Shankaran, says Navy Chief

BHOPAL: Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash on Tuesday said he had no links with his relative Ravi Shankaran, key accused in the naval war room leak case.

``It is my misfortune''

"I had distanced myself from him when he became involved in business dealings. It is my misfortune that the name of my wife's nephew [Mr. Shankaran] is involved in this matter. But I have had no links with him for several years,'' Admiral Prakash told reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of the country's first national sailing school here.

``From the time he told me he is in business, I have not had any links with him. Now his name has come up in the matter. But I can do nothing about this. I have not spoken with him for some time now.''

``No role in investigation''

Mr. Shankaran, a former naval officer, has been declared a proclaimed absconder by a court and Interpol had issued a Red Corner notice against him at request of the CBI.

Asked whether he had tried to make Mr. Shankaran cooperate in the investigation, Admiral Prakash said: ``I have no relations with him. The CBI and the courts are involved in the investigation and I have no role in it. I am only doing my job as Chief of the Naval Staff.''

After the leak came to light last year, the Navy sacked three senior officers. Early this year, the Defence Ministry asked the CBI to probe the matter after it was found that data related to defence purchases had been leaked. — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National