The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against former Indian Coast Guard Director-General K. Natarajan and unknown others for allegedly tampering and altering the Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) of senior officers. This move comes after preliminary information suggested potential discrepancies in the evaluation and record-keeping of officers’ performance reports.
Natarajan, a 1984-batch officer, served as the Director-General of the Indian Coast Guard starting in 2019. During his tenure, he held various key command and staff appointments and commanded multiple classes of Indian Coast Guard ships, including Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessels (AOPVs), Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs), and Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs). He was also responsible for overseeing significant operational and administrative expansions within the Coast Guard following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
Two years after his retirement, Natarajan was appointed as the next Executive Director of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Centre, Singapore. He is credited with having extensively contributed to coastal security enhancements, maritime safety, and port operations in India, drawing on his training at the US Coast Guard Reserve Training Centre in Yorktown, Virginia.
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The case against Natarajan and others centers on allegations of falsification or manipulation of ACRs, which are used to assess the performance and suitability of officers for promotions, postings, and other career advancements. The CBI, in its complaint, alleges that certain senior officers’ performance records were altered improperly during Natarajan’s tenure, potentially affecting their professional growth.
Further details of the probe have not been made public as the investigation is ongoing. The CBI is expected to question various individuals linked to the matter and review official documents to ascertain the extent of the alleged tampering. If found guilty, the accused could face legal and administrative consequences under the relevant sections of the law.
No immediate statement has been issued by Natarajan or any representatives; the story will be updated as new information emerges.
