One flew, 2nd RAW man under watch

Tibetian’s name, top sources said, figures in the investigation into Rabinder Singh and this was the reason why the leave was denied.It may be noted that an inquiry is underway in RAW with the objective to file a complaint in the Rabinder case. But Tibetian, who was eligible to quit the service, decided to put in his papers.

Contacted by The Sunday Express—thrice over the past week—Tibetian said: ‘‘I cannot say anything at the moment except that at this age I can look forward to a retired life’’. When asked about the inquiry into the Rabinder Singh case, he refused to comment.

While RAW has forwarded his papers for consent, top government sources confirmed that Cabinet Secretary B.K. Chaturvedi has asked the agency to investigate and determine whether Tibetian had any links with Rabinder and whether he can be prosecuted for any misdemeanour or misconduct.

A former Army officer, Tibetian joined the agency in the mid-80s. He is said to have had at least two foreign postings but the high-profile assignment was in New York in the late 1990s.

During his tenure there, his wife is said to have secured a job with a UN body and this raised doubts in New Delhi because he apparently did not inform RAW about it in advance. On his return, he was asked to head the agency’s training institution. The idea, sources said, was to keep him away from headquarters.

At this stage, Tibetian is said to have renewed contacts with Rabinder and both of them, within the agency, were considered as ‘‘close friends.’’ Soon, Tibetian was shifted to the headquarters as JS (Personnel). He held the post all this while and decided to quit just when his bosses wanted to move him as JS (Training).

Much of his immediate family, including his wife, live in the US. This was the official reason for his request to proceed on leave and prior to Rabinder Singh fleeing the country, Tibetian was indeed sanctioned leave twice to visit the US.

However, on this occasion, the request was turned down in the light of the ongoing inquiry. The officer resigned and is awaiting orders from higher authorities.

RAW Chief PKH Tharakan confirmed that Tibetian has put in his papers and said due process was taking its time.

‘‘Yes, he has put in his papers…and as of now, we have no evidence against him,’’ he told The Sunday Express, adding that ‘‘no links’’ had so far been found between Singh and Tibetian.

Meanwhile, RAW is still to file a complaint against Rabinder even though senior officials claim that a case will be filed under the National Security Act and the Official Secrets Act soon.