Ex-ISRO scientist enjoyed Devas hospitality in US: HLT

Former Scientific Secretary at ISRO, A Bhaskaranarayana enjoyed the hospitality of Devas during one of his trips to the US, according to the five-member high level team chaired by Pratyush Sinha, which examined the controversial Antrix-Devas deal and identified acts of omission and commission by government officials.

"It has also been brought to the notice of the High Level Team that Shri Bhaskaranarayana on one of his visits to USA enjoyed the hospitality of the private company in this case," the conclusions and recommendations of the HLT report, made public by the Department of Space last night, said.

"I have to explain why it is and what it is; what actually happened," he said when asked about it.

On the two reports, he said he is studying them with respect to "information given by us and see what they have projected.... what we have given....and any misunderstanding and misinterpretation".

"Each sentence should be analysed," said Bhasakararanarayana, who was among the four scientists barred from government jobs as a punitive action based on the two reports.

Asked about his future course of action, he said he does not have an exact idea. "I am just thinking of consulting my colleagues, friends and well-wishers".