Kochi/Ezhimala: A military court has sentenced Commodore rank officer, former Commanding Officer of INS Zamorin at the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, to seven years of rigorous imprisonment, a fine of ₹75 lakh, and dismissal from service with disgrace after finding him guilty on multiple charges of corruption.
If the fine is not paid, he faces an additional two years of imprisonment. The verdict, delivered after court-martial proceedings at the INA, has been submitted to the Chief of the Naval Staff for confirmation. He is currently lodged in the Indian Navy’s cell at Ezhimala and is expected to be shifted to the Central Prison in Kannur once the sentence receives formal approval.
Arrest and Investigation
Naval Intelligence officers arrested him on November 3, 2025, while he was allegedly accepting a bribe from a contractor in connection with the approval of certain construction works at the academy. The arrest followed prolonged surveillance and coincided with the visit of then Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi to Ezhimala for the Indian Navy Quiz (Think-25) finals.
He had assumed command of INS Zamorin (the base depot ship supporting the INA) and the role of Station Commander, Naval Station Ezhimala, on November 10, 2023.
Investigators examined his financial transactions extensively, including real estate deals, gold purchases, and related banking activity. The court found that he had amassed around ₹2 crore through illegal means. He faced approximately 75 charges that included accepting bribes and illegally accumulating wealth.
Witness Intimidation Allegations
A separate complaint alleged that he threatened a key witness by sending hired men to the witness’s home in an attempt to force a change of statement. Reports detail an incident in which intruders allegedly entered the residence of a hotel owner (identified in some accounts as a key witness linked to financial dealings near the academy area), held a child hostage, placed a knife to the neck, and issued death threats to compel retraction or alteration of testimony. A related criminal case was registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Payyannur police station. Additional allegations involved pressure from associates to influence the witness’s statements.
Court-Martial Proceedings
Court-martial proceedings began at the Indian Naval Academy in the last week of April 2026. The military court examined around 100 witnesses during the trial before delivering the verdict.
The sentence of seven years’ rigorous imprisonment, the ₹75-lakh fine (with the default provision of two additional years), and dismissal with disgrace represent one of the more severe disciplinary outcomes for a senior officer in recent years at a premier training establishment. Dismissal with disgrace is the formal naval terminology reflecting the gravity of the findings.
Institutional Context
The Indian Navy has consistently stated that it does not condone any digression from established procedures and remains committed to the highest standards of probity, transparency, and accountability. Following the initial allegations and arrest, the Southern Naval Command had initiated internal processes and emphasised that matters would be addressed thoroughly and in accordance with due process.
The case highlights the Navy’s internal mechanisms for investigating and adjudicating serious misconduct, particularly involving construction and contracting activities at training establishments. Court-martial findings against a Commodore-rank officer who held command of a key base supporting officer training at INA carry institutional significance for maintaining discipline and public confidence in the service.
He remains in naval custody at Ezhimala pending confirmation of the sentence by the Chief of the Naval Staff. Once approved, the rigorous imprisonment term and related penalties will take full effect, with transfer to civil prison facilities expected. The judgment underscores the service’s zero-tolerance approach to corruption charges established through military judicial process.
