By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : A US federal grand jury has indicted an Indian national and a firm on charges of supplying complex electronic instruments used in missile delivery systems to India’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
Siddabasappa Suresh and Rajaram Engineering Corporation were charged with supplying the controlled goods and technology without the required licenses from the Department of Commerce (DOC).
The indictment said between August 2001 and June 2003, they conspired to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), a statement from the US Department of Justice said here.
It said Suresh and Rajaram Corporation caused the export of approximately 25 shipments of controlled goods from the US to Listed Entities in India including VSSC that comes under Indian government’s Department of Space.
These transactions involved more than 100 controlled goods with an approximate value of $136,000, the indictment said, identifying six shipments to VSSC of various controlled goods from 2002 through 2003.
“All of these transactions involved complex electronic instruments used in high performance testing and monitoring. These functions were essential in the research and development of launching systems, to include missile delivery systems.
“The defendants knowingly failed to obtain or apply for a license from the DOC authorising any of these transactions,” the indictment said.
According to the indictment, VSSC was on the Entity List. It “was responsible for research, development and production of India’s space launch system. These activities encompassed both civilian spacecraft and ballistic missiles.”
The indictment said the object of the conspiracy was to evade the prohibitions and licensing requirements of the EAR by concealing the identity of the ultimate consignee of the controlled goods, thereby creating a larger market for these goods, resulting in increased corporate profits.