CBI registers case against Delhi man for misusing PM’s name to Pitch military projects
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The Central Bureau of Investigation on December 29 registered a case against a Delhi-based man who described himself as a textile engineer, for allegedly invoking the names of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Principal Secretary, P.K. Mishra, to promote a proposal for an indigenous military jet engine to senior defence bodies, including public sector undertakings and DRDO laboratories.
In the complaint submitted to the central agency, A.K. Sharma, an assistant director in the Prime Minister’s Office, stated that the accused had also allegedly contacted US Navy Vice Admiral George M. Wikoff.
The FIR said that the matter came to light after emails sent by Nisheeth Kohli, a resident of Vasant Kunj, were flagged, Indian Express reported.
In those messages, Kohli reportedly claimed that he wanted to assist the Government of India in exploring the development of an indigenous military jet engine, and asserted that he was doing so with the blessings and support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with his credentials purportedly endorsed by Principal Secretary P.K. Mishra.
An inquiry found that Kohli had approached the managing directors of Premier Explosives Limited and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited as well. Officials said that in his emails he introduced himself as a textiles chemistry engineer from TITS Bhiwani, belonging to the 2002 batch. They added that on December 8 he had also emailed US Navy Vice Admiral George M. Wikoff after sending earlier messages.
After examining the matter, the PMO concluded that the accused had misused the names of the Prime Minister and his Principal Secretary for personal or professional gain. Based on this assessment, a complaint was lodged with the CBI, which subsequently registered the FIR. The agency has said that further investigation is underway.