As reported by The Indian Express on September 8, the research steel, ordered from Durgapur Steel Plant, disappeared from the premises of the naval dockyard which is guarded round the clock by the Defence Security Corps (DSC) sentries, late last month.

Commander Rajendran who was tasked with the security of the sensitive naval dockyard from where the steel was stolen has been remanded to custodial investigation until October 1. Naval officials declined to comment saying that they were waiting for investigations to be completed.

According to investigating officer Inspector Sunil Babar of the Colaba police, Rajendran had masterminded the theft and the consignment was sold as scrap for around Rs 85,000.

BesidesRajendran and Ridhisingh, the police have also arrested DSC sentry Budhibahadur Gurung, garbage contractor Ashok Gaikwad, truck driver Ramchandra Mohite and scrap dealer Mohammed Bashir.

``I don't want to say anything now,'' said Commander Rajendran who was almost in tears when asked for comment at the Colaba police station. Investigations by the police revealed that the stolen consignment, which comprised 56 steel plates between 12 mm and 28 mm thickness, was smuggled out of the naval dockyard in two trucks on August 30 last month. They were later transported to scrap dealer Mohammed Bashir's scrap yard located at Sakinaka in Andheri.

Garbage contractor Ashok Gaikwad told the police that he had hired two trucks and eight labourers to carry out the theft on August 30 at the behest of Commander Rajendran. The vehicles entered the naval dockyard premises at 9.30 am and left at 12.20 pm with the stolen material which was lying outside the Naval Materials Research Laboratories (NMRL), said sub inspector DilipBamne.

``The naval officer threatened to blacklist me if I did not connive with him in stealing the steel plates,'' said Gaikwad, who has a contract with naval dockyard for removing garbage from the premises for the last nine years.

He revealed that the plot was being hatched for 25 days soon after the consignment arrived at the dockyard.

The DSC sepoy Budhibahadur Gurung noticed the plates in the truck during the routine check on August 30. However, he looked the other way when told that the consignment was being removed at the behest of the CSO Cdr Rajendran.

Gaikwad sold the steel as scrap for Rs 85,000 and handed over Rs 80,000 to Commander Rajendran while Ridhisingh was paid Rs 2,000 and the three sentries between Rs 400 and Rs 800 for their collusion.

The accused during interrogations told the police that another naval personnel in mufti was deployed to ensure the safe escort of the stolen steel laden vehicle from the dockyard to the scrap yard. The rating has been later identified asRegulating Petty Officer Sunil Dutt, who has turned a police approver.

The police after running a check on all the vehicles entering the naval dockyard between August 27-30 narrowed down their investigations on Gaikwad. The contractor had entered the dockyard on a Sunday, which the police found suspicious.

Gaikwad was the first to be picked up last Wednesday and the puzzle was pieced together after he confessed.

The Colaba police have also recovered 36 plates of 12 mm, 19 plates of 29 mm and one of 28 mm thickness. The consignment valued at Rs 13 lakh and comprising 71 plates measuring around four sq ft were despatched from Durgapur Steel Plant in trucks for Mumbai on August 2.

Commander Rajendran and Ridhisingh were formally handed over to the custody to Colaba police by naval authorities at 10.45 am this morning. The accused in the case are facing charges under section 379, 411 and 34 of the IPC.