The Isro row showed no signs of abating as former Isro chief G Madhavan Nair today hit back at his successor K Radhakrishnan dubbing as "another lie" the latter's claim that an inquiry was conducted into charges and lapses relating to the Antrix-Devas deal.
Radhakrishnan, Secretary in the Department of Space (DoS), had said yesterday that a probe was held, noting the "detailed" letter of the Pratyush Sinha-chaired High Level Team (to Nair and seven other officials) listing out the "charges, lapses and irregularities".
"It's another lie", Nair told PTI, underlining "that's a letter only", in the continuing intense war of words triggered by the action against him and three other scientists barring them from occupying any government position and the release of the two key reports which led to the action.
Nair said the letter narrates the entire history of Devas as seen by the DoS and at the end of it asks them to explain their involvement on the issues from the signing of the contract till it annulment, and provide clarifications.
"Normally in any inquiry they have to formulate a charge-sheet or omissions and commissions, and they have to ask for explanations. That's not done," he said, adding any inquiry panel finding people culpable has to send notice and takes steps after considering the reply.
"All these steps are violated," Nair said. "...The entire process adopted right from annulment of Devas agreement until now, they are based on half-truths and this amounts to misleading the government.
"So you tell a lie and hundreds of lie will have to be told to cover it up," he said, indirectly referring to Radhakrishnan whom he has repeatedly accused of being behind the government action.
On indications from the government that the order to ban the four scientists would not be revoked, Nair said: "Let them say so. I am not asking for any favour from anybody".