Pranab reported ‘serious security breach’ in his office,urged PM to order secret probe

In his letter,Mukherjee mentioned that no “live microphone” or recording devices were found.

An investigation by The Indian Express has revealed that Mukherjee’s letter came three days after an unprecedented “electronic sweep” of the Ministry’s VVIP chambers was conducted by a team of private investigators brought in by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).

The CBDT,an agency that reports to the Finance Minister,has never conducted such a counter-surveillance operation.

There are two divergent views on the nature of the adhesives found. Senior Intelligence Bureau officials told The Indian Express that a government forensic lab concluded that these “adhesives” were a “sort of chewing gum”. The IB’s suspicion is on members of North Block’s maintenance staff and the cleaning crew. The IB,however,is understood to have not submitted any written report on the episode.

In contrast,CBDT officials said that their conclusion — as well as that of the private detective agency they hired — was that the adhesives were “planted” at critical places in the Finance Ministry and that a closer examination revealed grooves on the surface which indicate some tiny devices could have been pasted and later pulled out.

They argued that it was hard to believe that any cleaning staff,visitor or official,would paste “chewing gum” on the desks of the Finance Minister,of his Advisor and Private Secretary and the conference rooms.

As a result of Mukherjee’s letter to Singh,since the end of last year,CBDT inspectors,armed with newly acquired state-of-the-art debugging and surveillance equipment,have been periodically conducting electronic sweeps of sensitive locations in the Finance Ministry.

Home Ministry officials,contacted by The Indian Express,said that the IB too routinely carries out these checks.

In his letter,Mukherjee had underlined to the Prime Minister that the “serious breach” of security in his office could have “wide ramifications”. He added: “…The PM may consider ordering a secret inquiry into why and how this breach occurred and who is responsible for this action.”

He also informed the Prime Minister that the CBDT’s investigation wing had been asked to conduct a detailed and discreet inquiry.

The CBDT’s investigation wing was,in fact,first called in for a “routine security check” in the office of the Finance Minister in mid-June 2010,when nothing unusual was detected. It was only on September 4,2010 that the sweeping team detected what Mukherjee called “plantable adhesive substances.”

The sweeping team is said to have briefed senior Finance Ministry and CBDT officials,including then Member,Investigation,Sudhir Chandra. Chandra retired as CBDT chief on May 31.

Besides a forensic examination of the “adhesive”,various steps were discussed to tighten security in and around the Finance Minister’s chambers and conference rooms.

The Indian Express spoke to top officials of the PMO,Ministry of Finance,IB and CBDT to piece together what happened thereafter.

Highly placed sources said that following Mukherjee’s letter to the Prime Minister,National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon spoke to the Finance Minister on the issue.

Later,then Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar informed the then Director of Intelligence Bureau,Rajiv Mathur,and asked him to conduct an inquiry which is when the “adhesive” was sent for forensic examination.

‘The Plantable Adhesive Substance’

* CBDT brought private detective team that found adhesives planted at 16 locations in Ministry,including FM’s office,his Advisor’s office,his PS’s office,two conference rooms

* FM called it a serious breach of security,asked PM for “secret” probe

* IB downplays incident,says adhesive placed at edge of Mukherjee’s table not underneath,“sort of chewing gum.”

* CBDT says in one case,adhesive was found at three locations along the edge of Mukherjee’s table. Moreover,grooves were found on surface which could be imprint of a possible device

* CBDT conducting regular sweeps now