Navy officer gets 3-year RI for exam rigging

MUMBAI: A sessions court on Tuesday convicted a Navy Commander and a coaching centre owner under Prevention of Corruption Act in a case of rigging the exam for the post of lower division clerk with the Navy. Calling it a serious offence, it sentenced them to three years of rigorous imprisonment.

The court acquitted four others of criminal conspiracy, saying they were entitled to benefit of the doubt. The exam was held in Sept 2010 and the case was filed two years later.

After being convicted, the Navy Commander, president of the examination board for the post of lower division clerks and stenographers, Indian Navy in Mumbai, who set the question paper, said he is "a decorated officer with 36 years of unblemished service". Seeking leniency, he said his wife isn't well and is dependent on him. The other convict also asked for a lenient view, saying he was a "first-time offender, has been falsely framed, and is a victim of circumstances".

Seeking the maximum sentence, special public prosecutor (SPP) Sandeep Singh said, "The accused have compromised the recruitment process in a sensitive establishment like the Indian Navy, and the offence has a deep-rooted impact on national security."

Amit Kharkar, special judge for the CBI court, pronounced the verdict after the trial concluded and after hearing submissions from the SPP and defence lawyers R B Mokashi, V N Shingnapurkar and M M Khokhawala. They defence said the case was based on mere surmises and conjecture, and that two accused, including one now convicted, were exonerated by the Navy and, hence, ought to be acquitted. The judge said the paper setter took no steps to cancel the exam after it was discovered that it was compromised and CBI proved that the question paper was found in the custody of an accused.