The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two men for theft of critical electronic hardware from an indigenous aircraft carrier. The theft was done at the Cochin Shipyard Ltd. between June and September last year where the carrier was in construction. The two-person are from Bihar and Rajasthan.
In October 2019, the anti-terrorist agency took over the probe from Kerala Police. The agency has recovered many stolen electronic items. This includes processors, RAMs, and solid-state drives (SSDs). The SSDs had data concerning the security of the nation.
After extensive scientific investigation, the NIA was successful in arresting Sumit Kumar Singh (23) and Daya Ram (22) on September 2. The investigation spread over many states.
The arrest of Sumit Kumar was done from Bihar’s Munger district. Meanwhile, the arrest of Daya Ram was done from Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh district. They confessed their crime after severe interrogation.
According to sources, the stolen materials were seized from Bihar, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. The electronic devices include 5 micro-processors, 10 RAMs, 5 SSDs from multi-functional consoles on the ship.
Investigation revealed that Sumit Kumar and Daya Ram were contractual workers. They are on painting work abroad the under-construction aircraft carrier. They stole the devices for monetary gain.
In September, a case was filed and an investigation was initiated by the Kerala Police. However, NIA re-registered the case on September 26 and took over the investigation.
Investigation reveals that Singh and Daya Ram, who were contractual workers engaged in painting work aboard the under-construction aircraft carrier, stole the devices for monetary gain, and left for their hometowns in September after which a case was filed and investigation initiated by the Kerala Police.