The Defence Ministry is yet to take action against officials involved in alleged irregularities in defence deals relating to the Kargil conflict, the Supreme Court was informed on Friday.
"The Centre has been talking about serious irregularities, but no departmental action has yet been taken," senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae in the matter, told a bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan.
The apex court on August 14, 2006 had directed the Ministry to file an affidavit after examining the illegality and irregularities in the deal which allegedly caused a loss of Rs 2,000 crore to the exchequer.
However, Attorney General Milon Kumar Banerjee said departmental inquiry was in progress in 35 cases and nothing incriminating has been found in 19 cases.
"The amicus can look into the 19 cases," he said and sought four weeks to apprise about the status into the investigation of the cases which had earlier evoked sharp criticism from the court for its tardy progress.
The bench, also comprising Justices R V Raveendran and Markandey Katju wanted to know from the Centre about the status of the case as to whether any FIR was filed and departmental action was taken against any officers.
The CBI on November 6, 2006 had filed two status reports in sealed cover giving details of the progress into the investigation of the deals. The court had sought details about 15 such deals.
While seeking a response from the Ministry of Defence about the departmental action it had taken against the officers, the court had said the affidavit should also 'disclose whether in contemplation of departmental inquiry any officer has been placed under suspension or not'.
The ministry was also directed to examine three cases as pointed out in the CAG report and to place on record its stand whether it wanted to initiate criminal action or departmental action in them.
The court was earlier informed that the CBI had registered a regular case in the casket purchase scam.
While asking the CBI to file status report in the sealed cover, the court had sought details of the six cases regarding, which it has registered two preliminary inquiries and decided to make an in-depth inquiry.
The six cases involve the purchase of hand-held thermal imagers, special ammunition for 40mm L-70 Gun, aluminium caskets, spares for 155mm gun, Koles tyres and special woollen socks.
The CBI initiated preliminary inquiry into cases involving purchase of thermally-guided munitions (Krasnapol), bullet proof jackets, and ammunition for T-72 Tanks, universal variable time fuses, illuminating ammunition for 155mm guns, multi-purpose boots, charging or generating Sets and under slung cargo nets.
