Exclusive: DRDO responds to Firstpost story on 'security breach' at BrahMos HQ by ex-DG
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has issued a response to allegations of a security breach at BrahMos Aerospace headquarters by senior scientist, Sudhir Mishra. The response addresses concerns about potential mishandling and unauthorised removal of confidential documents from the premises.
In an exclusive report published on Wednesday, May 1, Firstpost had revealed that an investigation by the DRDO Vigilance Department had pointed to Mishra, former Director General (DG) of DRDO and ex-CEO of BrahMos Aerospace, moving confidential documents outside of BrahMos headquarters. (Read the story here)
The Directorate of Public Interface (DPI), DRDO, on Thursday, May 2, said that the organisation had “received a complaint against Dr Sudhir Kumar Mishra, Ex CEO & MD of BrahMos Aerospace. Based upon the complaint, a Fact Finding Inquiry Committee was formed by Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO. However the committee didn’t find any evidence to back the allegation levied.”
Firstpost, in its exclusive report, had pointed out that around the time of Mishra’s retirement, on November 20, 2021, a logistics company called Big Logistics India Pvt Ltd, was hired to move out approximately 40 boxes of various sizes from his office in BrahMos.
A document from Big Logistics, part of the investigation report, has revealed the items that were moved out of BrahMos.
According to this document, four people, over the course of four days from November 27 through November 30, moved books and documents packed in eight big cartons. Big Logistics moved these to an unnamed place in Vasant Kunj. In addition to this, approximately 100 alcohol bottles, various wall paintings, gift items like bedsheets, blankets, towels, and the like, were moved out from BrahMos HQ.
A document from Big Logistics revealed a list of materials taken out from Sudhir Mishra’s office.
The document, has been signed by Raj Kapoor, a Senior Manager at Big Logistics.
Firstpost’s requests for comment to BrahMos Aerospace and Sudhir Mishra have not been answered.