The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has requested extradition against an Indian-origin US citizen. This matter is related to Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
In fact, in 2009, the CBI sought the extradition of a US citizen over irregularities in the supply of voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) worth more than $1 million to a DRDO unit.
The CBI has sought extradition against Surya Sarin (79), CEO of California-based company Aecon Inc. He is a citizen of America.
Sarin’s company had won an order in 2009 to supply 35 VCO-based RF generators for DRDO’s Defense Avionics Research Establishment (DARE). But a big fraud came to light in this.
According to the Indian Express report, the court had issued non-bailable warrants (NBW) against him, which could not be implemented.
The FIR was filed in 2020 and the chargesheet was filed in 2023. According to CBI, Sareen has applied to the Karnataka High Court to quash the case.
This company named Akon Inc. has been supplying products for the aviation, shipping and space industries for the last 40 years.
CBI has arrested Surya Sareen, his company Aecon Inc and former director of DRDO’s Defense Avionics Research Establishment, U.K. Chargesheet has been filed against Revankar and senior scientist Priya Suresh.
In 2020, the CBI had initiated a preliminary investigation based on a letter sent by the Director of Vigilance of the Defense Ministry.
According to the complaint, a DARE employee had alleged irregularities in the procurement of VCO-based RF generators in 2012.
CBI’s preliminary investigation revealed that Aecon Inc was selected to supply these generators through a global tender in 2007.
These VCOs were for lab testing of various radar electronic warfare systems. Investigation revealed that Akon Inc. had shipped 35 units of incomplete VCO generators in three consignments in February 2009 and had also received 90% payment in March 2009.
The CBI alleges that DARE officials knowingly accepted these incomplete units and gave false reports that “the units were functioning satisfactorily.” This facilitated the American company to make the final payment.
The CBI alleged that 23 incomplete VCO units were sent back to Aecon Inc., but the officials gave a false report to clear the payment.
The FIR filed by the CBI in 2020 also mentioned that when these units returned, none of them were functional nor could meet the specifications of the purchase order issued by DARE.
The CBI alleged that senior officials of DARE conspired with Aecon Inc. to defraud the Government of India.
The CBI has filed a charge sheet in this case under sections of the Indian Penal Code including criminal conspiracy, cheating and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
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