Submarines: ‘MoD, Army alive to issues’

The bench noted all required steps were being taken by the ministry and the departments concerned.

The government received a shot in the arm Monday with the Supreme Court expressing satisfaction on the steps being taken to ensure safe operation of Navy submarines by proper maintenance, replacements and effective repairs.

Dismissing two petitions that had sought various directives to the government, a bench led by Chief Justice of India R M Lodha observed that the Defence Ministry and the wings concerned in the Navy and the Army were apparently alive on these issues and no external interference was required.

The bench said in view of their vigilance to the issues, the court need not issue any directive for them at this juncture. It also refused to order a court-monitored probe into the fire tragedy in submarine INS Sindhuratna and a compensation of Rs 1 crore each for relatives of the two Navy officers who died.

The bench noted all required steps were being taken by the ministry and the departments concerned.

Citing the accident on board Sindhuratna on February 27 that had resulted in the death of two officers, one of the petitions had said the authorities were answerable for the tragedy, which had resulted in the resignation of Navy Chief D K Joshi. It claimed this was the 10th such accident in the last seven months and this could not be allowed to continue.

The petitioners had also sought a direction calling for the communication between the Defence Secretary and the Navy about maintenance of submarines, particularly Sindhuratna.

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