NIA to take over probe from SIT on the missing computer hardware

The National Investigation Agency will now be taking over the SIT investigation in the case of missing computer hardware from the country's first indigenous aircraft carrier, official sources revealed on Thursday. The aircraft carrier is being built at the Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL).

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"We will take over the case," an NIA official said. The missing computer hardware case is currently being investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) following a complaint regarding the missing hardware.

The incident was reported from the high-security zone of the CSL, where the prestigious warship is being built. The CSL authorities had filed a complaint with the Ernakulam South police a week ago. The officials were unaware of the time and date of the alleged theft. The indigenous aircraft carrier, which is in an advanced stage of testing systems, is expected to begin sea trials in 2020. The concerned officials were unaware of the date and time of the alleged robbery. The indigenous aircraft carrier is in an advance system testing phase. The carrier is expected to begin sea trials in 2020.

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SIT Investigation

The incident was reported from the high-security zone of the CSL, where the prestigious warship was being built. "However, considering the seriousness of the incident, which occurred in the high-security zone, we have formed a special investigation team headed by ACP crime branch. The probe is being monitored by Kochi Police Commissioner Vijay Sakhare," a top official said.

As per reports, around four hard disks, RAM units, and processors were stolen after dismantling four computers, while the carrier remains to be on its last stage of construction. There are multiple computers installed on the ship, but only four were dismantled. The officials also mentioned that there were no CCTV cameras inside the ship and the CLS authorities are not sure about when the took place.

About INS Vikrant 

The construction of the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant started in 2009 by the Cochin Shipyard in Kochi, Kerala. It is the first aircraft carrier to be built in India. The ship is aimed to be completed and ready to be commissioned by 2021 and is expected to start sea trials in February 2021. The ship will later enter the service in early 2023. Cochin Shipyard is the largest shipbuilding and maintenance facility in India. With the completion of INS Vikrant, India will join the ranks of countries like the US, UK, Russia, France, and China in the construction of flight carriers.

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