The officers dismissed were a Captain, who was the Director of Naval Operations, and two Commanders. A Board of Inquiry found the officers guilty under the Official Secret Act, Prevention of Corruption Act and other provisions of the Navy. Collectively and individually, they compromised on the security of classified Naval information and thereby jeopardised the State’s interest.

These crimes normally carry a punishment of 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment, if committed by a lower division clerk in the Defence Headquarters. For commissioned officers, who have taken the oath for protecting the country from external aggression and internal subversion, the punishment would be much more, if they are tried by court martial. These officers are being let off with a dismissal on the strength of the provision of the Naval Act, which says Naval personnel can continue in service only as long as they have the President’s pleasure.

The real crimes of the officers are wrapped in the mystery of classified documents. It is not known whether they sold the secret information to our potential enemies or foreign companies that vie to get purchase orders of weaponry. Anyway, the crime is too serious to merit a simple dismissal. It is a case where those entrusted with the security of the nation themselves become a risk. Exemplary punishment should have been awarded to those found guilty.

The lame excuse given out by the Naval top brass for letting off the officers with a dismissal is that a court martial is a time-consuming process. A court martial does not take years, unlike the civil courts, and the time factor is no criterion for subjecting the guilty for a proper trial. The Navy has been almost defending the guilty officers, all along belittling their crime. Initially, when the press reported the matter, the Naval Headquarters asserted that no operational or deployment information was leaked.

Now the incident is being hushed up in the name of national security. A judicial inquiry should be held to find out the truth. When foreign agents could get the information, the public, who pays the bill, is surely entitled to know.