BENGALURU: Karnataka high court constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe data theft at NewSpace Research and Technologies Private Limited by former employees of the drone manufacturing company.
The matter will now be reinvestigated by the SIT, headed by DGP Pranab Mohanty. IPS officers Bhushan Gulab Rao Borase and Nisha James will be the other members of the team.
In his order, Justice M Nagaprasanna said that the state govt should hand over the investigation right away to the SIT, which will have to submit a report within three months,
NewSpace sought an SIT to probe its complaint to police that its former employees stole data and started their own company, compromising national security .
The govt's advocate submitted that the earlier investigation officer was embroiled in a corruption case and a new officer took charge. He said the high court can monitor the probe.
Justice Nagaprasanna noted that the petitioner has a huge clientele including national security stakeholders like the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, BEL, HAL, and DRDO, and, that, all its contracts are highly sensitive. The stolen information pertains to a cutting-edge unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The judge also expressed surprise as to how Prabhat Sharma, former vice-president of NewSpace, who was arrested, was issued a "notice for appearance". The judge added that it is only a "paper arrest."
What should have been custodial interrogation ended up in a mere appearance before the investigating officer, giving rise to doubts of fake investigation, Justice Nagaprasanna observed.
"The subject crime has the colour of cyber espionage . Investigations into such crimes demand not merely procedural competence but an amalgamation of technical expertise and forensic acumen. I have no manner of doubt that an ordinary probe would amount to a miscarriage of justice," the judge said.
The matter will now be reinvestigated by the SIT, headed by DGP Pranab Mohanty. IPS officers Bhushan Gulab Rao Borase and Nisha James will be the other members of the team.
In his order, Justice M Nagaprasanna said that the state govt should hand over the investigation right away to the SIT, which will have to submit a report within three months,
NewSpace sought an SIT to probe its complaint to police that its former employees stole data and started their own company, compromising national security .
The govt's advocate submitted that the earlier investigation officer was embroiled in a corruption case and a new officer took charge. He said the high court can monitor the probe.
Justice Nagaprasanna noted that the petitioner has a huge clientele including national security stakeholders like the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, BEL, HAL, and DRDO, and, that, all its contracts are highly sensitive. The stolen information pertains to a cutting-edge unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The judge also expressed surprise as to how Prabhat Sharma, former vice-president of NewSpace, who was arrested, was issued a "notice for appearance". The judge added that it is only a "paper arrest."
What should have been custodial interrogation ended up in a mere appearance before the investigating officer, giving rise to doubts of fake investigation, Justice Nagaprasanna observed.
"The subject crime has the colour of cyber espionage . Investigations into such crimes demand not merely procedural competence but an amalgamation of technical expertise and forensic acumen. I have no manner of doubt that an ordinary probe would amount to a miscarriage of justice," the judge said.
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