Indian Internal Security - 3

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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->US-bound cop detained
IGP Francis J Aranha, an IPS officer of Maharashtra cadre, aroused suspicion by applying for VRS immediately on his return to India after a stint in the US
Narendra Kaushik/PTI
New Delhi: A senior Maharashtra cadre IPS officer, deputed to the Intelligence Bureau (IB), was recently detained at Delhi airport while heading for the United States without the department’s clearance.

<b>Inspector General of Police Francis J Aranha,47,</b> raised suspicion by applying for Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) immediately on his return to India in July after a three-and-a-half year stint in the US in the Indian embassy at Washington DC. Security personnel reportedly began monitoring his movements.

The 1984 batch officer’s services were kept at the disposal of the Union home ministry but he had not got a fresh posting.

Even though his VRS application is yet to be accepted, Francis was recently detained at Indira Gandhi International Airport while heading for the US without informing his department.

He was questioned in detail and later suspended, sources in Delhi told PTI.

It is learnt that the ministry of external affairs (MEA) has impounded his passport.

‘<b>PROCEDURAL LAPSE’</b>
Francis could not be contacted for comments. Mumbai Mirror tracked down his relatives in Noida, on the outskirts of Delhi. Initially, they were tight-lipped saying media attention ‘would have an adverse impact on Aranha’s children’. After much persuasion, they revealed that he had plans ‘to take up a job in the US’.

They said Francis may have violated service rules by looking for a job in America despite being in government service, but insisted it was a mere procedural lapse.

“Every individual has the right to work in the private sector. What is wrong with that? Yes, he violated some code technically. But that does not mean he was involved in spying. A simple matter of VRS is being blown into a controversy,” a relative said.

<b>ABOUT FRANCIS</b>
Family sources say Francis is an expert on security-related matters. He liaisoned with former American president Bill Clinton’s security personnel during his visit to India in March 2000. He had also handled the prime minister’s security in the past.

• Every individual has the right to work in the private sector. What is wrong with that? Yes, he violated some code technically. But that does not mean he was involved in spying. A simple matter of VRS is being blown into a controversy
— Relative of Francis J Aranha<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->