BANGALORE: The Chikballapur police said they would hand over the suicide case of retired Squadron Leader Baldev Singh, who was also Director Corporate Planning and Marketing D(CP&M) of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), to the Bangalore police if situation demanded.
Iyyanna Reddy, Investigation Officer and Sub-Inspector of Chikballapur Rural police station, told Express Investigation Team (EIT), “The case can be reopened when we receive a complaint from any Indian citizen (in person) citing reasons that they suspect foul play. We are willing to hand over the probe to any agency if our seniors demand.”
Reddy’s team closed the case after studying the final postmortem report and forensic lab test results.
He added they haven’t questioned any senior HAL officials for want of a complaint.
However, HAL new head R K Tyagi’s decision to back the safe-stand (Express report dated March 14) surprised many.
“A proper probe by HAL would have restored the confidence of the work force. Citing a routine police probe is a very diplomatic way of sidelining the matter. Tyagi would have won many hearts by being firm,” sources said.
The deceased’s friends now want an external agency probe as they weren’t sure of a fair probe from the internal force.
“Most at the top management know the probable reasons for Baldev Singh or Baldy resorting to this extreme step. However, none of these officials were questioned so far. An external agency can bring out the truth,” sources said.
On the other hand, the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) shortlisted Baldy’s successor on March 12. Anantha Agasthya, ED, HAL Management Academy, surpassed eight internal and five external candidates to become the likely director (CP&M). The PESB announcement came five months after Baldy’s death on October 12, 2011. However, Agasthya’s assuming the office would happen after many Central agencies give the official nod.