Devas Multimedia on Friday alleged that the CBI chargesheet against it was a “mala fide act” of the Indian government in retaliation for exercising their legal rights arising out of the “illegal” annulment of the Devas-Antrix contract.
CBI had on Thursday filed a chargesheet against Devas Multimedia, its then CEO and three directors along with former senior officials of Indian Space Department, including then ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair.
The agency has charged the nine accused, including the company, of criminal conspiracy, cheating and provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.
Devas Has Been Subjected to a Range of Unlawful Measures by the Government
A statement issued by Devas Multimedia said it has not seen the chargesheet so it was not in a position to comment on its specifics.
From the reports we have seen, the chargesheet is just the latest mala fide act that the Indian government has taken against Devas and its shareholders in retaliation for their exercising their legal rights arising out of the illegal annulment of the Devas-Antrix contract.Lawrence Babbio, Chairman, Devas
Babbio further added that it is notable that the chargesheet has been issued just weeks after the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) tribunal unanimously found that the Indian government unlawfully expropriated the investments of Devas’s Mauritius-incorporated shareholders and that the Indian government’s actions denied fair and equitable treatment to those shareholders.
Babbio said that since 2011, when India annulled the Devas- Antrix contract, Devas has been subjected to a range of unlawful measures from various parts of the government, including the Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate.
It is clear that the CBI charge sheet, issued just weeks after Devas and its shareholders’ second resounding victory against the Indian government is a continuation of the government’s campaign against Devas and its shareholders for daring to exercise their legal rights.
(With PTI Inputs.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)