The Navy has ordered court martial proceedings against the Commanding Officer of submarine INS Sindhuratna which met with an accident off Mumbai on February 26 last year. Then Navy chief Admiral DK Joshi had resigned the same day owning moral responsibility for the mishap killing two officers on board.Commodore Sandip Sinha, the commander of the submarine, incidentally also fell unconscious when fire broke in one of the compartments of the submarine. The Board of Inquiry held at Western Command, Mumbai, recommended court martial against him and the Navy Headquarters concurred with it, officials said here on Friday. If found guilty, Sinha may face punishment in the form of loss of seniority, they added.
Meanwhile, Navy Chief Admiral RK Dhowan also issued “letter of severe displeasure” to six other officers in connection with the mishap, they said. “letter of Severe Displeasure’ means these six officers will not get any promotion, chance to attend study courses or foreign posting for the next two years, sources said.INS Sindhuratna was the second submarine to meet with an accident after INS Sindhurakshak sank at Mumbai harbor on August 14, 2013 following explosions killing all 18 personnel on board.
