Probe purchase of 26/11 cops’ bullet-proof jackets: PIL

Serious irregularities in purchase of bullet-proof jackets led to the death of three senior police officers during last year’s 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, reports HT Correspondent.

Serious irregularities in purchase of bullet-proof jackets led to the death of three senior police officers during last year’s 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

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This is what a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Bombay High Court on Friday by social worker Santosh Daundkar has alleged.

Daundkar has alleged corruption in purchase and procurement of the defective and sub-standard jackets. Besides seeking that a neutral body like the Defence Research and Development Organisation or the army test the jackets, the PIL has sought action against concerned officers responsible for the purchase.

The PIL also states that the file pertaining to purchase of these jackets has mysteriously gone missing from the police commissioner’s office.

The PIL states the jackets were purchased from NTB Hi Tech Ceramics, which is not in the business of producing specialised nylon-based armour for bullet-proof jackets, but manufactures industrial ceramics.

In 2001-02, it was decided to procure 110 bullet-proof jackets for police officers fighting terrorists and criminals.

In 2002, a tender was issued and the order placed with the said firm to provide jackets at Rs 24.71 lakh. The jackets, which were to be supplied within 30 days, were delivered in September 2004. They had to be returned as they were found to be of sub-standard quality.