The Kochi police on Wednesday has formed a Special Investigative Team (SIT) to probe in a suspected case of theft where some computer hardware has gone missing from the country's first indigenous aircraft carrier being built in the Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) in Kochi, Kerala. As per officials, the SIT was launched after a complaint was lodged in the matter by the CSL authorities with the Ernakulam South police earlier this week. The City Police Commissioner is also monitoring the investigation

'No strategic implication'

The CSL, however, said that the theft has "no strategic implication". "Although reported missing from the carrier, the hardware does not form part of the equipment of the vessel," they said. The incident was reported from the high-security zone of the CSL, where the prestigious warship was being built. "However, considering the seriousness of the incident, which occurred in the high-security zone, we have formed a special investigation team headed by ACP crime branch. The probe is being monitored by Kochi Police Commissioner Vijay Sakhare," a top official said.

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As per reports, around four hard disks, RAM units, and processors were stolen after dismantling four computers, while the carrier was on its last stage of construction. There are multiple computers installed inside the ship, but only four were dismantled. The officials also mentioned that there were no CCTV cameras inside the ship and the CLS authorities are not sure about when the took place.

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About INS Vikrant

The construction of the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant started in 2009 by the by Cochin Shipyard in Kochi, Kerala. It is the first aircraft carrier to be built in India. The ship is aimed to be completed and ready to be commissioned by 2021 and is expected to start sea trials in February 2021. The ship will later enter the service in early 2023. Cochin Shipyard is the largest shipbuilding and maintenance facility in India. With the completion of INS Vikrant, India will join the ranks of countries like US, UK, Russia, France, and China in the construction of flight carriers.

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(with PTI inputs)