INS Sindhuratna commanding officer to face court martial

The commanding officer of INS Sindhuratna is likely to be tried by a general court martial for alleged lapses that led to an accident onboard the submarine that killed two officers and wounded several others on February 26, 2014.

The commanding officer of INS Sindhuratna is likely to be tried by a general court martial for alleged lapses that led to an accident onboard the submarine that killed two officers and wounded several others on February 26, 2014. Admiral DK Joshi had resigned hours after the accident, accepting moral responsibility for a series of mishaps.

A-rescue-team-carries-the-body-of-Indian-navy-officers-at-INS-Sindhuratna-which-suffered-a-mishap-on-Wednesday-morning-Vijayanand-Gupta-HT-Photo

The submarine's skipper is among the seven officers, including a commodore (equivalent to a brigadier), against whom action is being for various acts of omissions and commissions. Navy chief Admiral Robin Dhowan has issued letters of severe displeasure to the six officers, a move that will debar them from promotions and foreign courses and postings for the next two years.

If found guilty, the submarine’s captain Commander Sandeep Sinha’s punishment could range from loss of seniority, retirement benefits and even dismissal from service. A commander is equivalent to a lieutenant colonel.

SR Kapoor, then Western Naval Command's Commodore commanding submarines, is the senior-most officer to face action, with the others being of the rank of lieutenant commanders (majors). Fire in one of the battery compartments had caused the accident.