Lok Sabha Question No. 5215 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-05
Subject: Unnatural and Mysterious Deaths of Scientists
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, DHARMENDRA YADAV, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, Shrirang Appa Barne, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5215

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2017

## UNNATURAL AND MYSTERIOUS DEATHS OF SCIENTISTS

## 5215.  DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE:

## Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether  many of the scientists working at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre have allegedly been murdered or committed suicide during the last five years and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) Whether  197  nuclear  scientists  of  32  centres  have  died  allegedly  under mysterious conditions between the years 1995 and 2015 and if so, the details thereof, year-wise and the reasons therefor;
- (c ) The number of such incidences of murders/suicides reported, the investigations  conducted  and  the  convictions  made  in  the  aforementioned cases; and
- (d) The  other  steps  taken  by  the  Government  provide  to  ensure  adequate protection to the scientists/engineers of the said facilities and BARC?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) No Sir.  During the period between 01.01.2012 and 31.12.2016, two scientists working at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre committed suicide.  The details are furnished in attached Annexure-I.  There is no case of murder in Bhabha Atomic Research Centre scientist during the period.
- (b) No Sir.
- (c) 71 cases of suicides were reported in the 20 years period (1995 to 2015).  As per available data, 2 cases of murder were reported during the year 2008 & 2013.    These  figures  are  much  lower  than  the  national  average.    Police investigation / conviction reports are not available with DAE.
- (d) For the security of scientists in the Department, adequate arrangements are in place  at  the  workplace  and  departmental  residential  township.  Security Awareness Programmes are also being conducted regularly for the scientists of the Department to create awareness about vulnerabilities to the installations  as  well  as  employees and measures/precautions to be adopted for  the  same.    Unnatural  death  of  scientists/employees  of  DAE  are  always being  accorded  due  importance  and  this  office  monitors  sensitive  cases  of death from time to time in consultation with Units, Intelligence Bureau, local police etc.

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Annexure referred  to in the part (a) of the statement in reply to the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question  No. 5215 due for answer on 05.04.2017.

## ANNEXURE-I

## DETAILS OF UNNATURAL DEATHS OF THE SCIENTISTSOF BHABHA ATOMIC RESEARCH CENTRE BETWEEN 01.01.2012 TO31.12.2016.

|   Sl No | Date       | Designation          | Type of unnatural death         | Name of investigating agency      | Causes of unnatural death        |
|---------|------------|----------------------|---------------------------------|-----------------------------------|----------------------------------|
|       1 | 03.12.2012 | Scientific Officer/C | Suicide by hanging at residence | Vashi Police Station, Navi Mumbai | Suicide due to personal reasons. |
|       2 | 14.03.2013 | Scientific Officer/D | Suicide by hanging at residence | Govandi Police Station, Mumbai.   | Suicide due to personal reasons. |

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