Kochi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation into the theft of computer hard disks from the first indigenously developed aircraft carrier under construction at Cochin Shipyard Ltd.
The NIA team has registered a fresh First Information Report (FIR) in the case. The investigation will focus on whether any information and material having strategic importance has been lost in the incident suspected to have taken place over a 15-day period from August 29 to September 13.
The incident, considered as a serious ‘security breach’ has been under the scanner of intelligence agencies at the national level. The Defence ministry has also asked the Navy to constitute a team to evaluate the implications of the incident.
A special investigation team of the local police has been investigating the case so far. The preliminary investigation by the police has revealed that hard disks, RAMs and processers of five computers were stolen in the incident. The stolen devises contained layout of equipment and machinery. However, the contents were encrypted. CSL has been insisting that missing hard disks were not having any strategic or sensitive information. Although the incident has been reported for more than 10 days ago the investigation so far has failed to make any breakthrough about the culprits involved. The main task of the NIA will be to unravel the persons involved in the theft and their motives.
