Court martial for Sindhuratna's commanding officer

A court martial has been ordered for INS Sindhuratna's commanding officer found culpable in the accident onboard the Kilo-class submarine, which left two personnel dead, navy sources said Friday.

Six other officers, found culpable in the accident by a board of inquiry, were meanwhile awarded letters of severe displeasure (LOSD) by the navy chief, the sources said.

Commander Sandeep Sinha will face court martial proceedings at the Western Naval Command.

The officers who got the letters will not get any promotion, study courses or foreign postings for the next two years.

Two sailors died and seven members of the 94-strong crew were evacuated after inhaling smoke aboard the diesel-powered submarine following a fire. A board of inquiry, in its preliminary report, said that fire in some cables led to the smoke in the third compartment.

Sinha, at the time of accident, had jumped into the pit of poisonous fumes trying to save two juniors, and was grievously injured, but recovered.

Then Navy chief Admiral D.K. Joshi resigned from his post taking moral responsibility for the accident.

The board of inquiry found seven officers culpable.