Tag Archives: Sudhir Mishra

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Sudhir Mishra under scrutiny for alleged security breach at BrahMos headquarters; Ex-DG DRDO Responds

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Mishra, who retired from his roles at BrahMos Aerospace on November 30, 2021, is alleged to have improperly handled sensitive documents, triggering a severe investigation into breaches of security protocols at the defence firm.

Written by Huma Siddiqui Financial Express Online

Updated: May 3, 2024 16:39 IST

In a developing story that has sent shockwaves through India’s defence community, Sudhir Mishra, a former Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited, is under intense scrutiny. Mishra, who retired from his roles at BrahMos Aerospace on November 30, 2021, is alleged to have improperly handled sensitive documents, triggering a severe investigation into breaches of security protocols at the defence firm.

The DRDO Vigilance Department initiated an investigation after discovering that Mishra returned about three dozen files, including documents classified as ‘CONFIDENTIAL’, on December 28, 2021. This return prompted a deeper look into the security measures at BrahMos, uncovering a critical lapse: a 15-day gap in the CCTV surveillance records, which has significantly hampered the probe.

Further scrutiny revealed a more disturbing oversight—a failure to maintain a mandatory 90-day backup of CCTV footage per the Ministry of Defence (MoD) guidelines. This deficiency has severely limited the investigation committee’s ability to conduct a thorough audit of the security protocols and trace past breaches effectively.

In the wake of these findings, Lieutenant Colonel RS Suri (Retd), the Chief General Manager (CGM) responsible for data security, document handling, and outgoing materials at BrahMos Aerospace, has been transferred. This move came after it was discovered that the facility’s CCTV systems were malfunctioning.

Amid these security lapses, the investigation also noted several undocumented removals of materials from the BrahMos headquarters and its guest house during late November and early December 2021. These removals were facilitated by Big Logistics India Pvt Ltd, which was responsible for packing and transporting items from Mishra’s office.

Documentation accessed by this correspondent from the logistics company detailed the items moved, which included 20 wall paintings, several books, documents, an undisclosed number of medals, about 100 bottles of alcohol, and various gift items. These were transported over four days in 40 cartons of varying sizes.

Sudhir Mishra is a prominent figure in India’s defence sector. He has held significant roles on defence committees such as the Indo-Israel Management Committee (I2MC) and the Indo-Russia Inter-Governmental Committee (IRIGC). His accolades include receiving the DRDO’s ‘Scientist of the Year’ award in 2010 for his significant contributions.

These developments raise critical questions about the potential motives behind Mishra’s actions and the destination of the sensitive documents he had in his possession. As the saga continues, it goes on to reveal the extent and impact of what appears to be a grave security lapse in a sensitive

DRDO Responds to Financial Express Online Query Related to the investigation

In response to these allegations, a DRDO spokesperson stated, “DRDO had received a complaint against Dr Sudhir Kumar Mishra, Ex CEO & MD of BrahMos Aerospace. Based upon the complaint, a Fact-Finding Inquiry Committee was formed by the Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO.”

“However, the committee didn’t find any evidence to back the allegation levied,” the Directorate of Public Interface (DPI) of DRDO stated to Financial Express Online.

Responding to Financial Express Online, here is what Dr Sudhir Mishra said

Dr Mishra stated that the allegations are purely a result of vested interests, terming them as opinionated imagination and illogical. He highlighted that he had already been superannuated in November 2021 and that the allegation that classified documents had left the government premises reflects poorly on the accusers.

He further clarified that he only removed items that were personal belongings, such as souvenirs and honorary degrees received during his tenure as BrahMos chief. He assured that no items belonging to BrahMos Aerospace were taken and even mentioned that he had paid for the mobile phones used.

Lastly, Dr. Mishra reiterated that a high-level committee of DRDO had already investigated the matter. He provided clarifications, and other officials present shared their views. The committee, after careful consideration, has unequivocally termed these allegations as baseless, maliciously motivated, and misleading.

Certain sources defending Mishra’s claims highlighted that the DRDO was about to issue an appointment letter to Dr Mishra for a consultative advisory post of Dr Rajaramana, Chair in the DRDO, triggering false allegations.

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As S Christopher completes term, DRDO to remain headless for 3 months

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By Manu Pubby, ET Bureau|Updated: May 29, 2018

Christopher was in May last year given a one-year extension. His extended term ended today.

NEW DELHI: The Defence Research And Development Organisation (DRDO) could stay headless for as many as three months with the government failing to find a replacement for incumbent Selvin Christopher who retired on Monday. Efforts till late to grant him another extension in service could have delayed the appointment of a successor, with a search committee looking at probable names to recommend to the cabinet appointments committee.
Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra will hold additional charge of the organisation till the government approves a scientist to take over the top position, an official notification said.

The past few weeks has seen jostling for the post. DRDO has an annual budget of `17,861 crore. Outgoing chief Christopher who was already on a year’s extension of service beyond the prescribed age but had been hoping for yet another extension.

This search committee list is expected to include the three senior most scientists of DRDO, besides the first woman to have made it to the post of director-general in the organisation. Sources said that those in the fray include missile scientists G Satheesh Reddy, the scientific advisor to the defence minister and the head of the Brahmos missile project, Sudhir Mishra.

While Mishra and Reddy come from the missile scientist community that has traditionally ‘ruled’ DRDO, also in contention is Pravin K Mehta, who heads the Armament cluster of the research organisation from Pune. A surprise entrant to the selection shortlist could also be DG Jillelamudi Manjula who heads the Electronics & Communication Systems vertical at DRDO.
As reported by ET, several top level appointments are pending at the defence ministry. The crucial posting to Northern Army Commander is still to be announced

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Race for next DRDO chief heats up, incumbent eyes extension

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By Pradip R Sagar May 02, 2018 18:29 IST  – THE WEEK

DRDO chief S. Christopher (left) with Arun Jaitley, during his brief tenure as defence minister in 2017 | Facebook account of DRDO

With the tenure of S. Christopher, current chief of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), coming to an end later this month, the race for the top post in the country’s premier defence research organisation has begun. Christopher, who was given a one-year extension at the last moment in May 2017, though, is also eyeing another extension. But whether he will be second time lucky is unclear.

Hectic parleys have begun for the coveted post. The key players who are in the race to lead the DRDO include Sudhir Mishra, director general of BrahMos missile system division, and G. Satheesh Reddy, who is presently serving as director general (Missiles & Strategic Systems) and scientific advisor to the defence minister. Besides Mishra and Reddy, P.K. Mehta, who is currently heading the office of the director general of armament and combat engineering systems, is considered to be in the race to head DRDO, which has an annual budget of nearly Rs 20,000 crore.

According to sources in South Block, Reddy is the senior-most scientist in the organisation after Christopher. His name figured prominently last year also, but Christopher managed to get an extension at the last minute, meaning Reddy would need to wait for a year. Former defence minister Manohar Parrikar had bifurcated the post of DRDO chief and scientific advisor to the defence minister, which earlier used to be occupied by one person. Christopher is completing his tenure on May 29.

Mishra, head of BrahMos missile system division—a joint venture between India and Russia— is also among candidates vying for the top post in DRDO.

Mehta, who is heading the Pune-based cluster of armament and combat engineering systems, can be a dark horse in the race due to his proximity with top BJP leaders, sources claimed.

Christopher, who took over as the head of DRDO in May 2015, did his best to impress Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman by showcasing the work done under his leadership towards self-reliance in the recently concluded DefExpo in Chennai. A special pavilion under the ‘Make in India’ theme was inaugurated by Modi, in which all major equipment designed and developed by DRDO were showcased. Last year, Christopher had directed all the labs to remove his photographs, just two weeks before he was to retire. But only at the last minute, he was given extension for a year by the government.

DRDO has often been criticised for delayed projects, as most of its ventures, ranging from the Tejas light combat aircraft to long-range surface-to-air missile systems, have been repeatedly missing deadlines, with huge cost overruns. In the absence of self-reliance in defence, the Indian armed forces continue to be heavily dependent on imports. India continues to top the list of global importers of military hardware, with over 70 per cent of armed forces’ requirements being met by foreign firms. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his first interaction with DRDO scientists in 2014 had sent a stern message to the defence research agency against their ‘chalta hai’ attitude.