Former RAW man’s book irks Centre

Official Secrets Act may be used against him for revealing sensitive information

NEW DELHI: An insider account of the functioning of the Research & Analysis Wing (RAW) detailing its lack of accountability and poor leadership has the government in a bind.

Senior intelligence officials said discussions are underway on whether the Official Secrets Act (OSA) should be used against former RAW official Major General VK Singh. He is the first person to throw light on the agency’s operational details in his book, India’s External Intelligence: Secrets of Research & Analysis Wing. “We will take a decision soon,” RAW chief Ashok Chaturvedi said. “There is a code that former officers do not write on sensitive matters.”

Singh’s recently-released book addresses three issues in the organisation — lack of leadership, no accountability and political mishandling. It describes his stint in the agency between 2000-2004 when he looked after the technical intelligence wing, particularly events that unfolded during and after the Kargil war.