Research and Analysis Wing, country's external Intelligence gathering wing, has come in for a sharp criticism for allegedly mishandling the espionage case involving Rabindra Singh, a joint secretary level officer, who fled to the United States.
At a recent high level review meeting convened by the government, the Central Bureau of Investigation said that the Interpol had refused to issue a Red Corner warrant against Singh on the ground that the charges appeared to be political in nature, official sources said.
Despite several reminders to the RAW for providing some more details including that of Singh's property, there was no communication whatsoever from the RAW about the same, the meeting was told.
"We have sent in several reminders to the RAW but not a single paper has come. Not even an acknowledgement," a senior CBI official said, adding it seems RAW's probe was more of an eyewash.
At the meeting, RAW officials tried to blame the CBI for not securing the Red Corner Notice against Singh, who fled to the US in May 2004, despite surveillance while the CBI spoke of Interpol's decision and also its subsequent correspondence with RAW officials seeking more details.
Invoking special provisions, the RAW was authorised by the government to conduct a probe and prosecute the guilty in the case.
After obtaining a non-bailable arrest warrant in February, Singh fled to the US in 2004. RAW had approached the CBI to make a case against the official with Interpol and to secure a Red Corner notice.
Based on the non-bailable warrant, Interpol headquarters at Lyons in France had raised several questions, including why the arrest warrant was issued nearly two-and-half years after he had fled the country despite facing serious charges like spying.
They also sought information on the sensitive department handled by Singh and the national secrets allegedly leaked by him, sources said, adding, however, RAW had refused to provide any clarifications. Singh is believed to be living at Jackson Heights in New York.
According to sources, fresh investigations from the RAW officials were required as to whether he has procured assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The complaint said a case had been registered under the Officials Secrets Act against Singh, who fled the country on May 14, 2004. It is suspected that Singh compromised national security by spying for a western intelligence agency.
Though officially the RAW has not mentioned the name of this agency, sources said Singh was working as a mole for the CIA and fled through Nepal on a passport in a fake name.
Singh was placed under surveillance when he was allegedly found photocopying documents unrelated to his work. A secret report said Singh, whose wife and other family members lived in the US, had bank accounts in Singapore, Brunei and the US.
His disappearance became a major embarrassment for the government and the RAW, who failed to explain how he managed to get out of the country and why there was a delay in taking action against him.
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