Ex-bureaucrat E.A.S. Sarma seeks judicial probe into starlink deal, cites security, legal concerns
New Delhi: Former Union Secretary E.A.S. Sarma has called for an independent judicial inquiry into the government’s decision to assign satellite spectrum directly to Elon Musk’s Starlink, raising concerns over national security, transparency, and financial loss to the public exchequer.
In a letter dated June 9, 2025, addressed to Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan, Sarma reiterated that the move violates the Supreme Court’s judgment in the 2G spectrum case, and claimed that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) made “imprudent concessions” to Starlink. He accused the government of bypassing standard procedures and enabling a “near-monopoly” in satellite services to a foreign company allegedly aligned with the US defence establishment.
Sarma, a 1965 batch IAS officer, had raised similar objections in letters dating back to November 2024. He cited national interest and strategic risks, urging that spectrum be reserved for Indian agencies such as ISRO, defence forces, and strategic public sector enterprises. He expressed concern that Starlink had been granted exemptions from standard security conditions, especially regarding installation near international borders.
In earlier communications, Sarma also flagged the risk of cartelisation, alleging that Starlink had formed an arrangement with domestic telecom operators Jio and Airtel, which could harm competition and consumer interests. He compared the situation to the 2G spectrum allocation, describing it as potentially “far worse.”
In his latest letter, Sarma referred to a Washington Post report detailing security lapses associated with Starlink terminals installed near sensitive locations in the United States, including the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington D.C. The report cited concerns from White House IT staff and a House Oversight Committee member about Starlink’s potential to bypass secure networks.
Sarma stated that these revelations should prompt the Indian government to reassess its engagement with Starlink. He urged a judicial probe into whether the spectrum assignment violated Supreme Court guidelines, altered licence conditions to benefit Starlink, and caused a financial loss by not opting for a transparent auction.
Concluding his letter, Sarma warned that continued inaction would indicate a lack of accountability. He added that if the government fails to respond, he may be compelled to seek judicial intervention.
The Centre has not yet issued a public response to Sarma’s latest allegations.
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Man arrested with Rs 2.54-crore heroin in Mumbai
Mumbai (PTI): Police have arrested a man and seized over 500 grams of heroin worth Rs 2.54 crore in the illicit market from him in Mumbai, officials said on Friday.
The police's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) made the drug seizure in Santacruz in the western suburbs. The operation was conducted by the Kandivali unit of the ANC on Thursday as part of a special crackdown against drug trafficking in the area, they said.
Acting on specific inputs, an ANC team conducted a raid in Santacruz (East) and intercepted a man. During a search, the team recovered 508 grams of high-grade heroin from his possession, an official said.
The seized contraband, a highly addictive, opioid drug derived from morphine, is estimated to be worth Rs 2.54 crore in the international market, he informed.
Following the seizure, a case was registered against the man under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and he was formally placed under arrest in the early hours of Friday.
The police are currently investigating the source of the drug and trying to identify the intended recipients of the consignment, he said.
