In its first-ever response to an unofficial body, the country's premier external intelligence agency Research and Analysis wing (RAW) has informed 'Mission Netaji' that it was not holding any information on Subhas Chandra Bose.
Mission Netaji is conducting its own investigation into the mysterious disappearance of the hero and moving various government agencies for information on the matter. It had requested the RAW under the Right To Information Act for disclosure of any information that it might hold on the issue.
"I am directed to inform you ... that the RAW does not have any information pertaining to Netaji. As such no list as requested by you ..can be provided," under secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat PN Ranjit Kumar told Mission Netaji's Anuj Dhar in a letter dated January 19.
Kumar also reminded Dhar that the RAW was not obliged to provide any information under the RTI Act.
Dhar, however, is skeptical about RAW's response.
"In 2001, the then Home Secretary Kamal Pande filed an affidavit before the Mukherjee Commission (which was probing Netaji's mysterious disappearance). This affidavit listed out several Top Secret/Secret records whose disclosure was likely to evoke widespread reactions and harm India's relations with friendly countries," Dhar said.
{{/usCountry}}"In 2001, the then Home Secretary Kamal Pande filed an affidavit before the Mukherjee Commission (which was probing Netaji's mysterious disappearance). This affidavit listed out several Top Secret/Secret records whose disclosure was likely to evoke widespread reactions and harm India's relations with friendly countries," Dhar said.
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