(a) whether the investigation with regard to recovery of cartridges from a well in the Red Fort has been completed;
(b) if so, the outcome thereof alongwith the place and date of their manufacturing;
(c) whether Security personnel deployed at the Red Fort had no knowledge of the cartridges being thrown in the well;
(d) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the steps taken to make the security personnel vigilant posted at the Red Fort?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The case has been investigated by a Board of Officers of Army HQrs who have ruled out the possibility of any involvement of terrorists in this incident. The ammunition was manufactured at different Ordnance factories and the year of their manufacture varies between 1967 and 1988. The ammunition was deposited with police station, Lal Quila Chowki on 30.1.2002. Delhi Police on investigation was unable to find any clue of the accused in this case.
(c) & (d): Security personnel deployed at Red Fort had no knowledge of the ammunition having been thrown in the well. Investigation carried out also revealed that the said ammunition did not belong to any of the units/sub units lodged inside Red Fort. Since December 2000, the well was under the charge of Archaeological Survey of India and the Army unit in Red Fort is unaware of the time and circumstances when this ammunition could have been thrown inside.
(e) Comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures exist for proper accounting of ammunition held on charge of all units/sub units. Stocks are periodically checked and correctness reported in the chain of command. Instructions have also been issued to maintain utmost vigilance to obviate any loss/pilferage.