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V ' . . . Disci* wi/K 0*s*/ - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ...

Feb 16, 2022

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Page 1: V ' . . . Disci* wi/K 0*s*/ - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ...

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For_offxciaUjse^orix

From Indembassy MoScow To Foreign New pound)elhi

No MOSPOL125190

Scg^aiji

September 12 2014

Please refer to yOHr mail dated gept 3 2 O I4 seeking inputs on Part 2 o f the RTI application frdegm Shri M ura^i $rivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP on Netaji Suba^b Chandra 0 o se-

2 Copies o f the follow ing relevant Correspondence received from Russian side are attacfred

(i) NV No 2YhA ltU8 January 1 ^ 2(ii) No 73Yu A da^ed October 1^95(iii) Letter fr0fH Ar^b KdegtoV to Am b Ronen Sen

3 It m ay be see fro^i the above PaPers that there is no inform ation to suggest the stay o f Netaji Suba$b (3handra Bose in Russia or then USSR in the particu lar j aU m entioned in be applicantrsquos query

4 This issues w ith the apProv91 0f

With Regards

(Gopal Ram) Second Secretary (Pol)

AMB DCM C(P)

PStoC(P)

For official use onlye-gram

No MOSPOL125190 September 12 2014

From Indembassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) from SS(Pol)

Please refer to your mail dated Sept 3 2014 seeking inputs on Part 2 o f the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose

2 Copies o f the following relevant correspondence received from Russian side are attached-

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Amb Kotov to Amb Ronen Sen

3 It may be seen from the above papers that there is no information to suggest the stay o f Netaji Subash Chandra Bose in Russia or then USSR in the particular ja il mentioned in the applicantrsquos query

4 This issues with the approval o f DCM

W ith Regards

(Uopai Kam) Second Secretary (Pol)

One message^ To Oir(CHS) ltgt MCA ltd(fets()meagovinraquo

Daic 09121-1 12 45 PMfrom SandMp Aryi laquoacmmoscowmraquoa gov

Reply To dcm moscowmea gov in

MOS1209201 lt1-269 egm (Ik8) S C Bose pdf (1 2MB)

Kindly soc attachment and acknowledge rcccipt

Regards

O o Deputy Chief ol Mission Embassy oi India Moscow

(rough translation)

M in is try of Foreign A ffa irs R ussian Federation

No 2 YuA lsquo rsquo

The M in istry of Foreign A ffa irs of the Russian Federation presents its com plim ents to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the E m bassy s Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that accord ing to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no in form ation whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The M inistry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscov^ 8 January 1992

E m bassy of the R epublic o f India M oscow

laquo

M inistry of Foreign A ffairs of the Russian Federation

73Yu A

The M inistry of Foreign A ffa irs of the Russian Federation presents its com plim ents to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central A rchiva l Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents_of Modern H istory no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhush C handra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The M inistry of Foreign A ffa irs avails itself of this opportunity tc renew to the Em bassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 199

Em bassy of the Republic of India M oscow

A m b a s s a d o r o f l i id ia to the Russian Federation

D e a r R o n e n _

E n c l o s e d Y o u will f ind o u r n o t e c o n c e r n i n g S u b h a s h C h a n d r a

Do^e D o be l i e v e t h a t we ha ve t r i ed o u r bes t to d i s c ov e r any re le vant

a n y pos i t ive i n f o r m a t i o n on t h e sub j ec t of n o t t h e l east i m p o r t a n c e for

ha s n e v e r set foot o n t h e R u s s i a n soi l Ex t e n s i v e r e s e a r c h c a r r i ed out

u p o n t h e l ates t r e q u e s t o f Y o u r s c a n h a r d l y leave a ny d o u b t s to thlb

t h e I n d i a n pub l i c Al as by now it a p p e a r s tha t we c a n be s u r e t ha t NVtaj

S i n c e r e l y Y o u r s

Yu Kot ov

3 7 S ^

Intervention by HEMrAnatoly MDrukov mbassador of

Bress-conferenceie Foreign Correspondents Clu b

_______ b y ________ Ambassador of Russia in India during the gtress-conference on the 210296 in

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

information on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

much emotion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

copyEmbassy of India

Moscow

Deputy Secretary(Eurasia) has requested this Missionrsquos input on Part 2 of the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP seeking information under RTI Act 2005 whether Netaji Subash Chandra Bose is still alive in Okotoks Jail in Siberia and if notldquosought the information about the prisoner who has been lodged in Okotoks Jailrdquo

2 As per records available in the Mission Russian Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 informed that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose having stayed on the territory o f the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years

3 Copies o f following relevant correspondence received from Russian side are placed below -

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Ambassador YuKotov to Ambassador Ronen Sen (with enclosure)

4 DFA is placed below for approval pi

SS(Pol)892014

Counselfor(Pol)

I

E-MailFax

No MOSPOL125190 September 9 2014

From Indem bassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) from SS(Pol)

Please refer to your mail dated Sept 3 2014 seeking inputs on Part 2 o f the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose

2 Copies o f the follow ing relevant correspondence received from Russian side are attached-

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Amb Kotov to Amb Ronen Sen

3 It may be seen from the above papers that there is no r ^

particular ja il m entioned in the applicantrsquos query Henee - it would b e -pppmpriatR_to_rep ly -to -tho applicant that- nomdashstteh-- informationmdashismdash-available with -asv

a v a i l a b l e mdash ^ - ^ t h e stay o f Netaji Subash Chandra

W ith Regards

(Gopal Ram) Second Secretary (Pol)

C o u n s e llo r (P o litic a l)

Pag o f 1

I f I

From d irers ltd ire rs m eagovingtltm inpo l ind ianem bassyrugt

~ent W ednesday S ep tem ber 03 2014 1113 AM Attach IM G pdf Subject S P A M ldquo RTI MOST IMMEDIATE

For Counsellor (Pol)

Enclosed please find an RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate seeking information on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

It is requested that Missions inputs on Part 2 of the question raised in the RTI application may be sent to us at an early date

Regards

Pankaj Saxena Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) Ministry of External Affairs RoomNo235G South Block New Delhi-110 011 Tel 2301 4600

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p o litic a l d ip lo m a tic s o lu tio n H o w e v e r w e re fo c u s e d m ilita r i ly o n s t re n g th e n in g d e fe n s e o f o u r a llie s T h a t s o u r c o re ta s k R a s m u s s e n s a id b e fo re a m e e tin g w ith E U d e fe n s e m in is te rs

W e re r ig h t n o w c o n s id e r in g fu r th e r s te p s to s tre n g th e n o u r c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e A s I in d ic a te d th a t a ls o in c lu d e s w h a t I w o u ld ca ll a p p ro p r ia te d e p lo y m e n ts h e a d d e d c o m m e n tin g on th e c u rre n t a g e n d a

B u t its a b it to o e a r ly to g o in to d e ta ils a s to h o w w e w ill in c o n c re te te rm s s tre n g th e n c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e B u t no o n e s h o u ld d o u b t o u r d e te rm in a t io n to e n s u re in te n s iv e d e fe n s e a n d p ro te c tio n o f a ll a ll ie s R a s m u s s e n s ta te d w ith n o fu r th e r d e ta ils o n th e a ll ia n c e s p ro s p e c t iv e s tra te g y

S p e a k in g a t p r io r m e e tin g s th e S e c re ta ry -G e n e ra l a ls o v o ic e d c o n c e rn s a b o u t c la s h e s in e a s te rn U k ra in e b e tw e e n p ro - fe d e ra liz a t io n p ro te s te rs a n d fo rc e s lo y a l to th e g o v e rn m e n t c a llin g on R u s s ia to d e -e s c a la te th e c r is is a n d pu ll b a c k its la rg e n u m b e r o f tro o p s in c lu d in g s p e c ia l fo rc e s fro m th e a re a a ro u n d U k ra in e s b o rd e r w h ile w a rn in g th a t a n y fu r th e r R u s s ia n m ilita ry in te r fe re n c e w o u ld o n ly d e e p e n R u s s ia s in te rn a t io n a l is o la t io n

R u s s ia n F o re ig n M in is te r S e rg e i L a v ro v re je c te d W e s te rn a c c u s a t io n s th a t R u s s ia w a s b e h in d th e c r is is in s o u th e a s te rn U k ra in e s a y in g n e ith e r R u s s ia n s e c u r ity a g e n ts n o r s o ld ie rs h a v e b e e n d e p lo y e d to th e re g io n

T h e M in is try s a id th a t N A T O is a tte m p tin g to u s e th e U k ra in ia n c r is is a s an im a g in a ry th re a t to u n ite th e a ll ia n c e s m e m b e rs p u s h in g fo r R u s s ia s is o la t io n

Updated headline quote in paras 2 3

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M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Tel 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u s rs m e a g o v in

WI (AD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u F S (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P lease find a ttached a self-exp lanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f Subhash C hand ra Bose u n d er the R T I Act for kind necessary action a t your end

ahul S hrivastava) U n d er S ecre tary 7 Janu ary 2 0 0 8

No RTI5517606Ministry of External Affairs

( RTI Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquos note WI (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content of the note was conveyed to the Information Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government of

j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russian 1 Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the National

Achieve o f India

We have received a communication to this effect from the CIC which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(AK Nag) JS (Wei amp Inf) amp CPIO

December 18 2007

In fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r

gt O P KEJARIWAL fe laquoft-110067 B lo ck-IV 5 th F lo o r O ld JN U C a m p u s

N e w D e lh i-1 1 0 0 6 7 T ele fax 26717351

C entra In fo rm a t io n C o m m is s io n

November 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T I5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian Governm ent for disclosure of the N eta ji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar We have now received a le tte r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N eta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portan t from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere ind iv idualrsquos in terest He suggests and reuests therefore that this m ateria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India from abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m a tte r t h erefore is pursued w ith the I Russian G overnm ent so th a t w hatever m ateriah s o f va lue a nd in te rest to India m ay com e to us especially in the present case

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) Ministry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

Yours sincerely

(OP Kejariw al)

To 26 November 2007

Dr OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner Central Information Commission Old JNU Campus New Delhi - 110067

Subject R eq u est to Ind ian Errbassy to procure p ost-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian arch ives

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter NoR TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2007 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision N oC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made v this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the

Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Embassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

i

2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing ruies or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at times provide information A request from the Embassy of India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

^ would not yvant this exercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant records are identified the Embassy may procure them for the National Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India

since they are likely to provide a never befc 3 insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world w a r for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n L ____2 63 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mayzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez iden ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)[A rch ive o f the P res id en t o f the R uss ian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lsk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606-13-33 Fax (495 ) 606 -19 -66

2 Is to riko-dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del R F (ID D M ID) [H is torico-D ocum enta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in is try o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o lenska ia -S enna ia p loshchad 3234 Tel (495) 244-32-19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i po litik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (A V P RF)[A rch ive o f Fore ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241-04-80

4 Tsen tra lrsquonyi a rkh iv M in is te rs tva o bo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f D e fense]142100 M oskovskaia ob las t P odo lrsquosk ul K irova 74 Tel (495) 715-90-05 (0967) 54-00-03

5 G lavno je R azvedyva te lno je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilitary In te lligence D irecto ra te arch ives Address not know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 TsentraPnyi a rkh iv Federa lno i s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (TsA FSB R ossjj)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F edera l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzhby vneshne i razvedki RF (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)[O perational A rch ive o f the Fore ign In te lligence S erv ice ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 5110Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 245 -33 -68 Fax (495) 247-05-29

8 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (TsA M VD R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In te rna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovocherem ushk inska ia 67 (Archive) ul Zoi i A leksa nd ra K osm odem iansk ikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-90

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7 Jan 2008 1626

NameFax Number

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C

L i

DIRlt ERS)MEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1626 P0105

M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Te l 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u srs m eag o v in

WI(AJD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u FS (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P le as e find a ttached a self-explanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f S ubhash C hand ra Bose under the RT Act for kind necessary action a t your end

lahul S h rivastava) U n d e rs e c re ta ry 7 J a n u a ry 2 0 0 8

DIR(ERS gtMEflRNQ235C 7 Jan 2008 16=26 P020b

No RTI5517606 Ministry of External Affairs

( RTX Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquo s note W I (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser o f complete correspondence

with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash | Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content o f the note was conveyed to the Information j Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant bull The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government o f j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russiani Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the Nationali bull

W e have received a communication to this effect from the CIC

i s J

Achieve o f India

which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(A K Nag) JS (W ei amp Inf) amp CPIO1

December 18 2007

DIR( ERS gtMEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1627 P 0305

gt O P KEJARIWALSTTJprf

-MiX TR 4 58 cfcr TPTT

fcc=6ft11 0 0 6 7 Biock-lV 5th Floor Oki JNU Campus

I n fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r New Delhi-110067 Telefax 26717351

Centra Information Commission

Novem ber 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T 5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian G overnm ent fo r disclosure of the N etaji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar W e have now received a le t te r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N e ta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portant from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere individuals in terest He suggests and reuests th ere fo re that this m a te ria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India f rom abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m atte r therefore is pursued w ith the Russian Governm ent so th a t w hatever m ateria l is of va lue and interest to India may come toTis especially in the present case

Yours sincerely

(O P Kejariw al)

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) M inistry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C 7 Jan 2008 16 = 2 P 0405

02 6 N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 7

Dr OP Kejariwal information Com missioner Central Information Commission

+ Old JNU Campus N ew Delhi - 110067

Subject R e q u e s t to Ind ian Em bassy to procure post-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian a rc h ive s

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter N o R TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2 0 07 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTi Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision NoC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

lt think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Em bassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

4 2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing rules or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at tim es provide information A request from the Embassy o f India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

I would not w ant this e xercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant fcS ords s re identified the Em bassym ay procure them fo rtheN atTonal Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India since they are likely to provide a never befc s insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

1

DIR ( ERS) ME ARN0235C7 Jan 2008 16=27

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world war for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n t 2 6 3 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mazzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez idsn ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)Archive o f th e P re s id e n t o f the R ussian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lrsquosk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606 -13 -33 Fax (495) 606-19-66

2 Is to riko -dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del RF (ID D M ID) [H is to rico -D ocum en ta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in istry o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o ie nska ia -S en n a ia p loshchad rsquo 3234 Tel (495) 244 -32 -19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i p o lit ik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (AVP RF)[A rch ive o f Fo re ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241 -04 -80

4 Tsen tra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva obo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f th e M in is try o f D e fense] - bull -142100 M oskovska ia o b la s t P odo lsk ul K irova74 Tel (495 )715-90-05 (0 9 6 7 )5 4 -0 0 -0 3

5 G lavno je R a zve dyva te ln o je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilita ry In te lligence D irectora te a rch ives A ddress no t know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv FederaPnoi s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (T sA FS B R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F e de ra l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzh by vneshne i razvedki R F (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)(O perational A rch ive o f the F o re ign In te lligence Service ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 51 10Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 2 4 5 -33 -6 8 Fax (495) 247-05-29

Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (T sA M VD R ossii)[Central A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In terna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovoche rem ushk inska la 67 (Archive) ul Z o i i A le ksa n d ra K osm odem ianskikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-30

ffs

amp-3gt) i c y v

Embassy of India Moscow(Political Wing) f t

r r v ^Subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with USSRRussia over the

disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 reg

Reference remarks made by the Ambassador on FR a letter from JS (Wei ampInf) addressed to Shri OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner copy endorsed to Min (Pol) on the above subject

Back ground of the case On receipt o f a copy o f AS (PP )rsquo s Note No RTI- 36AS(PP)07 dated 942007 on the above subject Mission vide fax dated 130407 forwarded few copies o f Missionrsquos correspondence with the local authorities on the subject to AS(PP) -------- At F A

Subsequently on receipt o f JS(ERS)rsquo s letter No 1 lJS(ERS)2007 dated 20407 enclosed with A S (PP )rsquo s Note No 30AS(PP)07 amp JS(CNV)rsquo s Note along with copies o f correspondence available in CNV Division on the subject Mission has sent a Note Verbale No SA8907 dated 1752007 to Russian Foreign Ministry requesting for the views o f the Russian side whether the information provided by them could be released to the appellant -------At FB

Documents provided by Russian side and forwarded to the Commission

(i) Documents initially provided by the Russian side attached with Note Verbale No1423 DA dated 28h June 2001 which was forwarded to the Ministry on August

31 2001 may please be seen a t-----FC in the linked file

(ii ) On the basis of an affidavit submitted to the Justice Mukherjee Commission a Note Verbale No SA25904 dated December 22 2004 was sent to the M FA and reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 13142 DA dated 4 March 2005 enclosed with a copy of letter from Mr V Sayadyants to the Soviet Ambassador to Iran Mr IV Sadchikov regarding the political situation in India in 1946 may please be seen a t--------FD in the linked file

Response of the Russian side

( i) A reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 42952 DA dated 2262007 stating therein that ldquo the documents from Russian Archives handed over in June 2001 were for official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up by it for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo This was conveyed to the Ministry vide letter No MOSPOL125190 dated 472007 --------At FE

P2

2

Again on receipt o f a copy o f the decision o f Central Information Commission vide No RTI5517606 dated 22082007 (At FF) Mission took up the matter with M FA vide Note Verbale No SA17307 dated 1892007 for which a reply was received vide No 42952DA dated 11007 reiterating their view that the documents from RussianArchives were submitted exclusively for official use by the GOI including Thiswas conveyed to the Ministry vide E-gram dated 10102007-----At FG

Submitted as desired by Min (Pol) please

2

f^TT FTRTTM IN ISTR Y O F E X TE R N A L A F FA IR S

NEW D ELH I

Dated 2nd November 2007 I gt gt v

gt ldquo $

NoRTI551762006

Shri OP KejariwalInformation Commissioner Central Information Commission Club Building Old JNU Campus New Delhi-110 067 bull

Subject- Disclosure o f complete correspondenc e with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RT[ Act 2005

SirAs per directives o f the Honrsquoble Central Information

Commission contained in Para 13 o f the decisioNoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi seeking certified copies o f the complete correspondence this Ministry had with the Governments of the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

9 ^ 2 Our Embassy in Moscow again approached the Government of Russian Federation to get their consent to the disclosure o f documents under reference but the Government of Russian Federation reiterated that documents were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government o f India for investigation o f Netajee Subhash Chandra Bose disappearance

3 However they state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note o f the Embassy can approach the authorities o f the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy o f India for permission to get to know the M aterials deposited in Federal and State Archives o f the Russian Federation

OV-

g ji)

j d L

Yours faithfully

(AK Nag) Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer

_ f

- i V lt L

Copy for information forwarded to-

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110 018

2 Director(ERS) Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi with reference to his Note NoW l(AD)5511007 dated 25102007

Minister (Pol) Embassy o f India Moscow

Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp Central Public Information Officer

N o W l(A D ) 5 5 1 1 0 0 7 M inistry o f External A ffa irs

(ERS D ivision)

W ith re ference your N ote No R T I5 5 1 7 6 0 6 dated 2 2 8 2 0 0 7 to JS (E R S ) regarding d isclosure o f com plete correspondence w ith the USSRRussia o v e r th e d is a p p e a ra n c e o N e ta ji S u b h a s h C h a n d ra B o s g u n d e r R T I A c t 2005 p lease find enclosed th e unofficial translation o f th e note verb ale dated 1 0 c to b e r rsquo0 7 sent by R ussian M inistry o f Foreign Affairs in reply to the note verbale sent by our E m bassy in M o scow on the subject

(A rya S an d e e p ) D irector (E R S )

2 5 O ctob er 2 0 0 7

JS (W ei amp Inf ampCentral Public In form ation O fficer

v C op y to M in ister (Pol) E m bassy o f India M oscow

U n o ffic ia l T ra n s la tio n

Quote

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highest consideration

Moscow 01st October 2007

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

For official use only

E-GRAM

NoMOSPOL 125 190 laquo y October 10 2007

From To

Indembassy Moscow Foreign New Delhi

AStERS) from Minister (Poll

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

Q u o teUnofficial translation

Moscow 01st October 2007

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

sd-(Dr Subhakanta Behera)

Minister (Political)

a I JH

NICEMAIL r^T^X Page 1 o f 1

y

Current Folder SentMaill y II

I - Compose rsquo^ Addresses ^ Folders EOptions gt Search ^ H e lp sij^Fetch ^ss^Calen

Message List | Delete | Edit Previous I Next Forward I Forward as Attachment | Reply | Reply A ll Message as N ew ------------1 ----------- 1-------------------------------- 1 ldquo r J 1

Subject Message from EI MoscowFrom dcmmoscowmeagovinDate Wed October 10 2007 110 pm

To jsersmeagovinPriority NormalOptions V iew Full Header | V iew Printable V ersion | Add to Addressbook

Attachments

untitled -[l] Ok [texthtm l] download | view

MQS10100716dth 175 k [ applicationoctet-stream ] download

10)0o

NoMOSpOL125190 October 10 2007

From Indernbassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

AS(BRS) from Minister (Pol)

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

Q u o teUnofficial translation

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of

September 20o7 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22laquod of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

For official use only

1

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

Moscow 01st October 2007

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Minister (Political)

No64682DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and

the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 da ted the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

In add ition to the Note o f the M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion No 429 5 2D A dated the 22 nd o f June 2007 in form tha t docum ents from R ussian a rch ives w ere subm itted e xc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the

the Com m issionAfor investiga tion o f N eta jee S ubhas C handra B ose d isappea rance d e ta iis ^s ta b lis h e d by the G ove rnm en t o f IndiaD

p TU-Indian c itizen m en tioned in the Note o f the E m bassy has ^ f fg h t th rough the E m b a s sy tfo request and to fee- get to k n o w ^ a te r ia ls depos ited in Federa l and S ta te A rch ives o f the R ussian F ede ra tion w ith the perm iss ion o f its authorities

The M in is try ava ils th is opportun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest conside ra tion

M oscow 01st O ctober 2007

A ppend ix N ote N o4295 2D A

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

ampJk i A

lAK i

M

bull J U h J t ^ J JLflJ L (L S U s ^ S u (jrcopywO ^ (V|Pj iVv ^ |0]laquo f 1 r i r I - r r J I - 1Olgt-^ |1 CJ |ltg fkiiXn

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o 1

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No42952DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and quo ting the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 dated the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

D ocum ents from R ussian a rch ives m entioned in the N ote o f the E m bassy w ere subm itted in particu lar in June 2001 exc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the use by the C om m iss ion fo r inves tiga tion o f N e ta jee S ubhas C handra Bose d isappea rance deta ils estab lished by the G ove rnm en t o f India

W e a lso in form tha t the access to Federa l and S ta te A rch ive s o f the R ussian Federa tion is a llow ed w ith the perm iss ion o f Federa l a rch ives A g en cy (R osarch ives) the read ing in read ing room s o f concre te a rch ives w ith th e perm ission o f a rch ives s truc tu res au tho rities o f co rrespond ing bod ies on the basis o f appea l o f E m bassies sc ien tific research ins titu tes and pub lic o rgan iza tions

The M in is try ava ils th is oppo rtun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest considera tion

M oscow 02nd June 2007

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

MHHHCTepcTBO PiHocTpaHHbix 0eji Pocchhckoh

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No SA8907 ot 17 Mah 2007 rofla HMeeT qecrb coo6ihhtigt

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NoSA17307

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TRcT ltTv5f rram TTWTEMBASSY OF INDIA

MOSCOWriOCOIbCTBO HhaMM

MocKBa

18 September 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure of entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

J rThe Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent

vdeg a u th o r ity (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sidersquos view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set

^ up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji V A Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not

^ disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if suchaterial could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry it

could be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissionrsquos work is over Thecompetent authority is of the opinion that the material in question could be disclosed

W ^ deg the Appellant They further advised the Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi to formal clearance for the disclosure of the entire material on the above subject

J ^ ^ ^ f r o r y ^ e ^ i l i s s i a n side

- esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure of the above material maylease be communicated to this Mission at an early date

-

f

mbassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to tfte ^ in ijP r^W f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ^ of the Russian F e d e r ^ J ^(2nd Asia Department) 4 - 1 ^ gt i Csy~~~ aM o s c o w 1

6-8 yn BopoHUOBO rioie 131940 r MocKBa

Ten 007-095-783-75-35 007-095-783-75-34

wwwindianembassyru

tjgt2 t 007-095-916-36- 3 2 007-095-975-23-37

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR

JS(WelampInf) amp Central Public Information Officer has forwarded u s the CIC decision with request to initiate action in accordance with p a ra -13 th e Information Commission is all for disclosure of the material The CIC does not see any reason why the m aterial should not be disclosed now to any researcher since the Justice Mukherjee Commissionrsquos work is over Accordingly it has advised the Ministry of External Affairs to seek the formal clearance from the Russian authorities in the m atter

2 DCMrsquos last comm unication with JS(ERS) was made on 4th July 2007 DCM had forwarded the translation of the note verbale received from the Russian Foreign Office

3 In the light of above we may again send a note verbale to the Foreign Office in accordance with p a ra -13 of the CIC decision

Subm itted please

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

Sept 13 2007

NoSA17307 $ September 2007

The Embassy o f India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure o f entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

The Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent authority (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sides view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if such material could be made available to the Justice Mukheerjee Commission for inquiry they see no reason why-thisO material should iw k be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissions work is over The competent authority is of the ifem opinion that the material in question should be disclosed to the Appellant They further advised the Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi to obtain formal clearance for the disclosure o f the entire material on the above subject from the Russian side

The esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure o f the above material may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2nd Asia Department) Moscow

No R TI5517606 Ministry o f External Affairs

(RTI Division)

Subject - Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

Please find enclosed herewith Central Information Com m issionrsquos decision NoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar o f New Delhi

2 It is requested that necessary action may please be initiated in accordance with para-13 o f the CIC decision

EnclAs above

JS (Eiirasia)

(AiC Nag) Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer22-08-2007

mdash o j^ VxkxraquoA

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J amp u - cVjl_JL bull

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(XaA

- e j

(e-US)

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gf if raquofn2(gt0Dy N o pound 3 amp RTI D1V200gt

Central Information Commission ilaquoWDlaquoted4i^USd|ampL~

sect $ I| | i yyNoCICOKA200600671

Dated 10 August 2007

Name of the Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar263 Kangra NiketanVikaspuri New Delhi - 110 018

Name of the Public Authority Ministry of External Affairs

Background

Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi filed an application with the PIO Ministry of

External Affairs on 2 August 2006 for seeking certified copies of the complete

correspondence the Ministry of External Affairs had with the Governments of

the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash

Chandra Bose

2 The PIO vide his letter dated 25 August 2006 informed the Appellant that

the request to the Government of USSR and the Russian Federation were made

through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels The PiO also stated that the

requisite copies of the correspondence could not be disclosed at it involves the

relations with a foreign State and so was exempt from disclosure as per the

provisions of Clause 8(1 )(a)amp(f) of the RTI Act

3 Dissatisfied with the reply of the PIO the Appellant filed an appeal with

the first Appellate Authority on 23 September 2006 who vide his letter dated 6

November 2006 again denied disclosure of the documents taking recourse to the

Section 8(1 )(a) and (i) The bench of Dr OP Kejariwal Information

mmissioner heard the matter on 23 March 2007

4 The main stand of the Respondents to the information sought by the

Appellant which is regarding the correspondence between India and the

Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia was that this

information could not be disclosed as it was likely to affect the countryrsquos

relationship with another State On making enquiries from the Respondents it

was clear that this correspondence had neither been seen nor been examined

by an expert to come to such a conclusion Therefore the Commission felt

that the Applicantrsquos application had been treated casually

5 The Commission then directed the Respondents to first have this

correspondence examined by their own experts and if need be by an outside

expert who they could rely on and then take a firm decision In case the

experts came to the conclusion that the applicability of the denial clause was

not relevant in the case the material could be disclosed to the Appellant

However in case the Respondents came to the conclusion that the relations

between the Governments of india and Russia would be affected through the

disclosure of this information the Commission would like the issue to be

settled only after a reference had been made to the Government of Russia

6 The matter was taken up for a second hearing by the bench of Dr OP

Kejariwal Information Commissioner on 10 August 2007

7 Shri AK Naag Joint Secretary (Inf amp Wei) amp CPIO and Shri Nand

Kishore Under Secretary (RTI) represented the Respondents

8 The Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar was present in person

Decision

9 The Commission heard both the sides During the hearing the

Respondents stated before the Commission that they had received a response

from the Government of the Russian Federation Moscow in pursuance of the

Commissionrsquos earlier Order in the matter dated 23 March 2007

10 This letter stated ldquoaccording to the correspondence received from the

Embassy of India Moscow the Russian Foreign Office has stated that the

documents handed over by them in June 2001 were meant only for the GOIrsquos

official use and for the work of the Commission in investigations into the

disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo

11 During the hearing the Appellant stated that his request included the

entire correspondence between the Governments of India and the USSR

regarding nf NPtajirsquos disappearance The Commission accepted this

request and directed the Respondents to clearly mention this while seeking the

approval of the Russian authorities for disclosure of this material

12 Also during the hearing the Appellant made a plea for a copy of the

letter received by the Ministry of External Affairs resulting from the application

that he had made on the issue The Commission saw no objection in this

request and directs the Respondents to supply a copy of this letter to the

Appellant

13 The Commission further feels that if the material could be made

available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the

disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be

disclosed now to any Researcher now that that Commissionrsquos work is over The

information Commission therefore is all for disclosure of this material to the

Appellant However it advises the Ministry of External Affairs to seek a formal------ ------ - _ ____________ ___

clearance from the Russian Authorities in the matter

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110018

Shri AK Nag Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) a Central Public Information Officer Room No 207 Akbar Bhawan Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110021

3 Shri Ajay Choudhary Additional Secretary amp Appellate Authority Room No 144 C South Block Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110011

4 Officer Incharge NSC

5 Press E Group CIC

(OP Kejariwal) Information Commissioner

Cc

The Statesman

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01

[ India ]-

Netaji filesrsquo disclosure ordered

New Delhi Aug 16 The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the external affairs ministry to disclose its correspondence with the erstwhile USSR over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra BoseldquoThe Commission feels that if the material could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be disclosed to any researcher nowrdquo information commissioner Mr OP Kejariwal saidThe Commission made this observation while hearing Mission Netajirsquos plea for certified copies of the complete correspondence between India and the USSR over Netajirsquos disappearance in 1945 The CIC in its decision relied on a letter from officials in Moscow that said the documents which were handed over to India were meant for ldquoofficial use and for the work o f the Mukherjee Commission n PTI

Discussion on this Ind ia itemDisclaimer These are Internet generated discussion threads for which the The Statesman has no responsibilityNo discussions on this item

t o P os

Login

Usernar

Passwo

New

9 fM raquo f -

m m m m

O ther India

Cabinet nod to new farm scheme

Q case CBI m ay cancel notice

Thaw in Left-UPA ties

Keshubhai joins rebels

http wwwthestatesmannetpagenewsphpclid=2amptheme=ampusrsess=lampid=l 66383 8172007

N o f j j M j l J X K

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Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR and noting of FS(Pol) thereon

2 It seems the Russian Foreign Office does not want to add anything beyond what they have already pu t in the note verbale of Ju n e 22 2007 However if the said note verbale is read together with the bilateral Agreement of 2000 it becomes clear th a t there is no bar oft supplying confidential information to persons asking for the sam e According to Article 3b ot the Agreement decisions to hand over particular classified information shall be taken by the Parties on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the laws of their States

3 Moreover as a scrutiny of the correspondences between the SovietRussian and Indian sides shows they do not contain any sensitive information All the correspondences convey the result of the search in the Russian Archives Perhaps tha t is why JS(CNV) was inclined to suggest the disclosure of the correspondences

4 Given my positive view on the m atter for disclosure of the correspondences I would however like to propose tha t the Ministry may be sent a copy of the note verbale received from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to take into cognizance of the Agreement of 2000 before taking any final decision on the m atter If needed LampT Division in the Ministry may also be consulted

Subm itted please

(r

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

July 3 2007

No 42952DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation and in reference to the Note SA8907 dated 17th May 2007 has honour to inform the following -

The documents from Russian archives referred to in the Embassyrsquos note in particular handed over in June 2001 for official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set up by it for the investigation of circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

cm)

a

W e further inform that the access to materials belong to federal and state archives of the Russian Federation is given with the consent of Federal Agency of Achieves (Rosarchiv) and permission to work in reading halls of agency archives is given by authorities of archives belong to concerned agencies on direct requests by embassies scientific amp research institutions and social organizations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation assurances of its highest consideration

^ ft o j L (vLoo jP xjlJ~plt~ Moscow 22 June 2007

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NoS -^ V JS (E R S )0 7

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9 hTIclt o agtA

P ^ gt r^ yV lt gt V gilaquo )laquo A ^ t Ministry o f External AffairsSouth Block New D elh i-110 011 M ail jsers m eagovin

J L ^ 7 7 0 A A t u - Phone 23017411

PhFax 2 3 0 1 9 2 2

j 3 gt kC ) h ^ Alt 5 ^ ^ M-V r Vw

T his is w ith reference to m y le tter no 11 J S (E R S)2007 d a ted April 20 2007 regard ing a req u e s t m ade u n d e r ldquoRight to in form ationrdquo (copy enclosed for ready reference) It is req u ested th a t th e R u ssian s id e rsquos resp o n se m ay kindly be in tim ated^atjan early da te ^ ^

rajj-vMaaS

Y ours sincerely

(Dr J Bhagwati

X ^h ri D ivyabh M an ch an d a D eputy C hief of M ission E m bassy of Ind ia Moscow

Copy to

AS(PP) JS(CNV)

(Dr J Bhagwati)

No 11 JS (E R S ) 2 0 0 7

Deari

Please refer to AS (PP) an d Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 M arch 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence betw een the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra B osersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E u rasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm w ith the R ussian side w hether they would have any objection to release of correspondence received from them on th is subject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos response m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

S d -(Dr J Bhagwati)

Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) A^(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

S

20 April 2007h

( Dr J Bhagwati )

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tel 7837535 Fax 9752337

NoSA8907 17 May 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 2YuA dated 8 January 1992 and subsequent correspondence (viz No 73YuA dated 27 October 1995 N 547 dated 20 March 1997 19073DA dated 20 March 2003 and 59542DA dated 6 October 2004) including a letter from Ambassador Yu Kutov regarding information about the reported stay of a former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

An Indian citizen had filed a petition under the Right to Information Act 2005 for obtaining all informationdocuments relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The information obtained from the Russian side was denied to the appellant at that time

^Thereupon an appeal was filed by the concerned citizen and currently the V Government of India is considering whether the informationdocuments

-t obtained from Russian authorities on the subject could be released toappellant Views of the Russian side whether the information provided by

( them could be released to the appellant would be essential for the^ f Government of India to take decision on the matter

The esteemed Ministryrsquos views on the matter may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the

s of its highest consideration

f V Ministry of Foreign AffairsL o f the Russian Federation

cr - A sia Department) ^V ^^(V io sco w

A V

Ministry o f External Affairs South Block N ew D elh i-110 011 Mail jsers m eagovinMail jsers m ea Phone 23017411

i]r

Phone 23017411 PhFax 23011922

S e c r e t

No H JS (E R S )2007

Dear L b ]

Please refer to AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence between the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra Bosersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E urasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm with the R ussian side w hether they would have

amp any objection to release of correspondence received from them on thissubject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos re~sponse m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

^Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) AS(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

( Dr J B hagw ati)

V

V No^5AS(PP)2007

Right to Inform atioi Timt

Most Im

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)rsquos Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Inform ation Act 2 005

Shri Anuj Dhar had initially requested this Ministry last year requesting form information on the following two points-

1 Certified copies of complete correspondence the MEA has had with the Governments o f the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

2 Confirmation on whether the Ministry had sought information from the erstwhile Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation by merely issuing Notes Verbale or some serious efforts were ever made at a higher (say Ministerial) level to uncover the mystery surrounding the fate of Netaji

filed an appeal with the CIC The appeal was considered by the CIC on 23 March 2007 The CIC has directed that the Ministry should have the documents under reference carefully examined by a panel of experts to determine whether the information sought by the applicant can be given or not

While we have not received the final decision of the Commission this would a time-bound exercise and it is therefore requested that JS(CNV) may please make the records available to me for a preliminary examination so that expeditious action can be taken on receipt of the formal decision of the CIC

The information was denied to Shri Dhar by this Ministry whereupon he

(AjAdditional Secretary (PP) fit

Appellate Authority (RTI) 28 March 2007

JS(CNV)

Copy forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with the request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me as soon as possible

o f iHC-ifl no 3 20 HOO bull rsquobull bullP

vrrwr 5fn tnrvtEMBASSY OF IN D IA

6-0 Ulitsa Obukha M O S C O W

Tel No 237-0820

t t v

Septe mb er 16 1991

The Embassy of I nd ia presents its compli me nt s to the Mi nistry of For ei gn Aff ai rs of the USSR and has the ho nour to enclose her ew it h a c o ll ect io n opound documents or NetSji S ub ha sh C h an d ra B o s e at one time a President of the Ind-ior N at io na l C o n g r e s s and a leading fig are in ths Indian freedom movement received from H r _ Ch it ts S s s u M em b er of P ar l ia m en t and Gene ra l Secretary All r d i a Forward Bloc a group founded by Meta ji Subhas-i X h 3 n d r a Fgt = $ e ord at present a c o n s t it ue n t of tne Left Front G o v e r n shyment in the Indian state of West Bengal

2 In these d o c u me n ts there are su ggestions quotingthe then Soviet A m b a s s a d o r in Kabul and the Soviet Vice Consu l in T e h er an to the effect that Netaji Subhash Chandra

itighr have found his way to the Soviet Union after the alleged ae ro p la n e cr as h in August 1 9 A 5 As recently as March 5 I990 The H i n d u s t a n Time an Indian daili n e w s p a p e r quoted a scholar of the Soviet Institute if Or ie nt al S t ud ie s to the effect t h a t there are t c S o v i e t sc ho la rs who have applied to tne Covernen-c of the US Sr for pe rm is si on to e xa min e cla ss if ie d documents

3- In the light of the current policy on Soviet nationala r ch i ve s the Embassy of India would appreciate if an rate- rial that sheds light on the fate of Netaji Subhush Chandra Dose in the a rch iv es of S ov ie t or ga nisations including s ec u r i t y o r g a ni s at io ns is made available to the Embassy of India

A The Ere bossy of India n vails itself of this opportunityto renew to the M i n s t r y of Foreign Affairs of the USSH the a s s u r a n c e s of its highest c on si deration

Seal

M i n i t r y of Foreign Af fa ir s Covernment of USSRM o s c o bullgt

E rc 1 a s a b o v e

if nI

(rough translation)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation

No ZAuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that according to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no information whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow8 January 1992

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

trrlter r_ EM B A S S Y OF INDIA6-8 Ulitsa Voiomsovo Polyo

N o S A 8 3 9 5 July 27 19SS

The Embassy of India presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to correspondence resting with their Note Verbaie No 2YuA of S January 15S2 regarding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Enclosed is a booklet which contends that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may have come to the former Soviet Union in 1945 There has teen further speculation in this context reportedly on the basis of archival materials In view of this it would be highly appreciated if ail materials available on the subject couid be examined for a final determination on whether or not Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose entered or stayed anywhere in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 or subsequently

The Embassy of India avails itself of tnis opportunity to renew to tne Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration - bull -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (South Asia Department) Moscow

v

(Unofficial T ransl

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

73YuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central Archival Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents^of Modern History no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to

renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 1995

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1995 Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years W e have now been informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory otthe former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador Kotov forwarding the note categorically asserts th a t we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soilrdquo and that extensive research can hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovrsquos letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

2 I would like you to please bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

(Pripuran Singh Haer)

0 M0 5 F f l I I 0 bull rsquo 1 ~ 6 C

Pripuran Singh Haer Charge dAffaires

MOSPOL125190

r o h o11 bull i bull r o j o o r i

trn s laquoPi j a r m rrcsl p - igt llsquo7EM B A S S Y OF INDIA

6-8 U l iu a Votomsovo PolyM O S C O W

Tel No S i 7-CS20 Tolex 413409 INDEMSU

Tgts Fa bullbull-9 3

October 31 19S5

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1SSS Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years We have now bee informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1595 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is nc

s informatcn whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory cf the formeSoviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador

ji Kotov forwarcing the note categorically asserts that we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soil and that extensive research can

1 hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovsbullvu letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

v jf2 1 wouid iike you to piesse bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

kt (Pripuran Singh Haer)

Shri R L Narayan Joint Secretary (EE) Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi

diams i iL Mr Ror on Sen Arnba ssador of Ind ia to th e R u s s i a n F e d e r a t i o n

D e a r R o n e n

E n c lo sed Y o u will find o u r no te c o n c e rn in g S u b h a sh C h a n d ra

Bose D o bel ieve th a t we have t r ied o u r best to discover any relevant

I actsU n f o r tu n a te ly I a m p ro fo u n d ly d is t ressed being u n a b le to provide

t any posi t ive in f o r m a t i o n on th e subject o f no t th e least im p o r t a n c e for

the In d ia n public Alas by now it a p p e a r s that we can be su re tha t Netnj has neve r set foot o n th e R u ss ia n soil Extensive re sea rch car r ied out

u p o n th e latest r eq u es t o f Y o u r s can h a rd ly leave any d oub ts to lhgt

effect

S in ce re ly Y ours Y a K o t o v

w

r lt W 3 lt tfr s t pound 2 3 i

Intervention by H EM rAnatoly MDrukov Ambassador of Russia in India during the

eress-conference on the 210296 in le Foreign Correspondentsrsquo Club__________

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is

deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people

who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73Y uA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

inform ation on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

m uch em otion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

j i

gt J -

i

Directorate of Foreign Relatilt Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

March 20 1997

N 547

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to you and has the honour to forward herewith the letter of Mr L Joychandra Singh addressed a second time to the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

In reply to this repeated query the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence (CAMD) of the Russian Federation has pointed out that there is no other data relating to the fate of Subhash Chandra Bose besides the information conveyed to you vide letter No1843 dated October 28 1996 (enclosing No222672 of the CAMD)

We request you to kindly inform Mr L Joychandra Singh of the above reply from the Archives

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Military Wing of the Embassy of India in Moscow the assurances of its highest consideration

Military Attache in the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation

Brig D Singh

No 19073DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federations presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassyrsquos note verbale No SA 1003 dated 8 January 2003 and the Ministryrsquos note verbale No 1423DA dated 28 June 2001 has the honour to inform you about the following

A search was conducted for documents related to the fate ofSCBose in the following federal archives

Russian State Military Archive (RGVA) Russian State Archives of Socio-Political History (RGASPI) State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) and Russian State Historical Archives of the Far East (RGIA DV) The information requested for was not found in the GARF RGVA and RGIA DV archives

Copies of the documents found in the RGIA DV Archives were sent to the Embassy in 2001

No information has been found about the fate of SC Bose in the Central Archives of the Russian FSB the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in the m anuscript section of the Russian State Library or in the Russian State Archives of Photographic Documents (RGAKFD)

We would also like to inform th a t the personnel archives of Eva Yakovlevna Lyusternik were sent after her death to the Russian Academy of Sciencesrsquo Institute of Oriental Studies and the open part of the archival m aterial on IV Stalin was sent from the archives of the President of the Russian Federation to RGASPI

The Ministry would like to use th is opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

M inistry of Foreign AtlairsR u ssian F ed eratio n

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Moscow 20th March 2003

^ M la iet ja Affaireo f the deration

No S 9 5 4 2 A A

The M inistry of Foreign Affairs of th e R ussian Federation p resen ts its com plim ents to the Em bassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and in continuation of Note No 55382XA dated Septem ber 14 2004 h as the honour to intorm th a t Information sought on the fate of Ind iarsquos p rom inent political figure Netaji S u b h ash C hand ra Bose was no t found in the C entral Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia

The M inistry avails of th is opportun ity to renew to the Em bassy the a ssu ra n ce s of its highest consideration

M oscow October 6 2004

E m bassy o f th e Republic o f India M oscow -

Ministry o f External Affairs CNV Division

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Information Act

Reference note at FR from AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) regarding CICrsquos directives on appeal by Shri Anuj Dhar who was denied information requested concerning disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his whereabouts in the former USSRRussia i f any

2 Vide letter o f 020806 at FA Shri Dhar had requested for (a) certified copies o f complete correspondence between MEA and the Government o f USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referring to Our Embassyrsquos intervention with the Russian MFA in 199219951997 2001 and 2003 and (b) whether MEA sought information from the Russian side in a routine manner through issue o f Note Verbales or some serious efforts were made at a higher level

3 Vide issue o f 250806 at FB CPIO on the basis o f inputs from CNV Division replied to Shri Dhar conveying that (a) requests to the Governments o f the USSRRussia were made through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels and (b) requisite copies o f the correspondence sought cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under provisions of Clause 8(l)(a)amp (f) o f the RTI Act Under Clause8(1)(a) there is noobligation to give any citizen information disclosure o f which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity o f India the security strategic scientific or economic interests o f the State relation with foreign State or lead to incitement o f an offence Under Clause 8(l)(f) there is no obligation to give ldquoinformation received in confidence from foreign governmentrdquo

4 Shri Dhar vide his letter o f 230906 at FC had appealed to then Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) on the ground that the reasons given by the CPIO denying him the information aslced for are untenable With regard to the intervention with the USSRRussian Government for information on Netajirsquos disappearance Shri Dhar seeks to know if this matter was pursued at a higher (say Ministerial) level Regarding Ministryrsquos resort to Clause 8(l)(a) Shri Dhar wrote that this is not intelligible to him as to how correspondence dealing with the disappearance o f a national hero can be threat to India or its relations with USSR which does not exist and has been disowned by the successor state o f the Russian Federation He has also questioned as to why information received in this matter o f national importance should be confidential In response to the appeal C lW Division has conveyed to JS (Inf) and CPIO vide its note dated 011106 at FD that (a) the information sought for by Shri Dhar ie whether serious efforts were made with interventions at higher levels with the Russian Government to seek information on Netajirsquos disappearance does not constitute ldquoinformationrdquo as defined in the RTI Act and the question is anecdotal in nature and (b) that copies o f correspondence cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under the relevant clauses in the RTI Act Though there is no evidence on this NGO file it is our understanding that these views were conveyed by the Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) to Shri Dhar Presumably what was meant was that Shri Dhar was seeking the opinion o f the MEA as to whether the efforts made by GOl in its interventions with the Russian Government were serious or just routinely taken up Since such lsquoopinionrsquo is not covered under Clause 1(0 hence it cannot be construed as lsquoinformationrsquo

6 The undersigned has gone through all available records in NGO Section pertaining to correspondence with the USSRRussian Governments seeking information on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose In particular attention is drawn to a note recorded in December 1998 at FE on linked file giving the chronological background to suchcorrespondence starting from May 1990 in the Note for Supplementaries prepared for Rajya Sabha Starred Question No 174 for answer on 101298 dealing with the Asiatic Societyrsquos request for access to Russian archives It may also be seen from the attached

A

Anticipated Questions and their Answersrsquo that Ministry was willing to disclose the contents o f the Note Verbale received from the Russian Government in response to IUdiaji demarches regarding information on Netaji on the floor o f the House There is no i available on NGO files to indicate if such information was in fact disclosed on the flooi o f the House when the PQ was answered However the point to note is Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose such information As per the last line under Clause 8 o f RTI Act ldquoinformation which cannot be denied to the Parliament or the State legislature shall not be denied to any personrdquo Therefore if such information has already been disclosed on the floor o f the House or even by virtue o f Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose we may no deny such information requested by Shri Anuj Dhar

7 Chronologically the correspondence copies available on file and linked files and sought by Shri Dhar are listed as under

(a) NV No Nil dated 160991 from EI Moscow to MFA USSR Government at FF on linked file

(b) NV No 2YuA dated 080192 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at -FGv -- bullbullbulllaquo mdash bullbull

(c) NV No SA8395 dated 270795 from EI M oscow to MFA Russian Government at FH on linked file

(d) NV No 73YuA dated 271095 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at FI

(e) DO letter from CDA EI Moscow enclosing Amb Kotovrsquos letter to Amb Ronen Sen at FJ on linked file

(f) Record o f intervention by Russian Ambassador to India at a press IK lrsquo ltonffirericebnrsquo2i0296 at FK on linked file

(g) NV No N547 dated 200397 from Russian Defence Ministry to EI Moscow at FL

(h) NV No 19073DA dated 200303 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow aft FM and

(k) NV No 59542DA dated 061004 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow 4 FN

8 A perusaldf the available correspondence shows the continuous effort made by the Ministry through the Embassy in Moscow to obtain information available i f any on Netajirsquos whereabouts in Russia It also shows that such effort was made at very high levels even through correspondence between the Indian Ambassador to Russia and his Russian counterpart One such correspondence is even addressed to a private Indian citizen in Manipur and the same has been passed on to him by our Embassy in Moscow There is no evidence to suggest that such correspondence was received in confidence an not to be disclosed However it would be beyond the competence o f CNV Division to make such a judgment merely on perusal ofthe filesrecords available in NGO SectionAS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) may like to consult Eurasia Division and Embassy o f India Moscow on whether disclosure o f such information under RTI woulc be detrimental to bilateral relations

J)(Debnath ShaiO

X At Wi bull JS (CNV)09 April 20f)7

AS fPP) amp Aeffellate Authority TRTI)

fet L 0 k f t t U a k k f c v J y -TI 4 i t i

cn v w et oA 2 4 JhV oW ei w ttC a

i CIC c h t tfcVe (jEuTA4-IAJ jrteaitcrj At-jKCdh-al tjyin cm Mm+cpL

I M i i ) J L j i t

j J 7

i

-r-

31

FAXTo AS(PP)

MEA New Delhi Fax 91-11-23013387

From First Secretary (Pol) Indembassy Moscow

Rpti) DS[Russia] MEA

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tele 007-495-9163544 Fax 007- 495-9163632

With reference to DS[Russia]rsquos message regarding AS[PP]rsquos note to JS[CNV] No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 9 April 2007 on an appeal filed under No RTI act 2005

2 Please find faxed herewith currently available few copies of this Missionrsquos correspondence with local authorities on the subject We will send more m aterial if available by the earliest diplomatic bag

U ) U v tcrv-4 j

(Dr Suresh Babu) FS [Pol]

13042007

A

- P O C C H H C K A fl A K M E M H H HAYK ^

H H C T H T Y T B O C T O K O B E ^ E H H J I

___________ JV2 ____________________

H a JVs_____________________________ T To 1Justice Mukherji

Commission o f Inquiry M irza Ghalib Street

Kolkata

Dear Sir

This is to inform you that as per your request we have checked the Private

Archive o f Prof EYaLustemic in the Indian Center o f the Institute of Oriental

Studies Russian Academy o f Sciences Moscow

We regret to inform you that there is no document on Subash Chandra Bose

With sincere regards

(Shaumian TLHead the Indian Center o f the Institute o f Oriental Studies

Russian Academy o f SciencesM oscow)

26092005

l0303l(Plttgt CHO 103753 (MeacflyHapoflHbiH) MocKBa T C n yji PoxcnecTBeHKa12 Ten (095)921-1884 (095)925-6461 Oaicc (095)975-2396 E-mail ivran orcru

In contrast to Indian National Congress Bose and his activists basically counted on armed struggle and open cooperation against enemies of England - Germany Italy and Japan Bose dreamed about freedom for India through crushing defeat of Britain Bose could not do it himself so he linked activity of his troops and groups with assault of Germany on India from the West and Japan from the East The aim of Bose was to expedite the assault in all possible ways and reinforce it from inside by subversive Anti-English activity in India and if possible to attached nature o f mass anti-British revolt However at that time not all people considered his activity as ldquosubversiverdquo Fascism was not so popular in India at that time but racism and violence were condemned everywhere A lot of Indians were satisfied with telling blows delivered hateful center o f empire by axis countries in particular against the background of British demonstrative nonshyrecognition of Indian rights for self-determination J Nehru wrote about this period How can we conciliate two basic directions of our policy - opposition to British imperialism and opposition to fascism and nazism How can we adjust our nationalism with our internationalism That was a difficult question for us taking in view current situation However this question would not be difficult if the British Government take a step to show us its refusal from imperialistic policy in India and rely on peoplersquos good willrdquo

But it did not happen Indian public reacted accordingly Describing the psychological atmosphere in the country that time Jawaharlal Nehru wrote ldquoPeople were pushing out not by patriotic feelings but by their willingness to save themselves from an offense and the worstrdquo

So S Bose did not have any mass support but he could use the mood of majority for his own purposes Nehru wrote about it the following ldquoProtection of the imperialism which we were fighting with for such a long time seemed to be non-sense and impossible to usrdquo

Unofficial translation

ldquoMatsottardquo is obtaining Soviet visa

Instructions were really complicated It was necessary to send Subhas Chandra Bose to Germany He was wanted by Britain secret service colonial Administration and local police throughout India Bose was staunch and irreconcilable adversary of Great Britain and may be the most dangerous one at that time

Extracts of the book whiten by Yuri L Kuznets ldquoMarauders are quitting the gamerdquo

Published in 1992 by ldquoInterprakstrdquo Moscow

Of course Bose made his main counting on the military defeat of England at the time when Hitlerrsquos Germany had been already at the war with it and Japan was still neutral So Bose was interested in Berlin When Japan occupied Burma and came close to the Indiarsquos borders Bose reoriented to the Far East

In spring 1941 his ways crossed with Bhagat Ram Bose decided to shift from India to Berlin because some of his friends and relatives were arrested in India and he by himself also was wanted He needed Hitlerrsquos support including financial one Ports we under police control and departure trough one of them was very risky Bose took another way and in February came to Kabul He was accompanied by Bhagat Ram who was not a member o f Bosersquos organization he did not like axis-members but he was posted as Bosersquos escort by his party ldquoKirti Kissanrdquo because o f his knowledge of Phushtun zone which they had to cross as well as Afghanistan and Kabul He also had his own flat in Kabul - the premises which belonged to Ultam Chang and his shop It was supposed that Ram was doing a favour to Bose only due to their common aim - to weak British positions in India at most

Ram fulfilled his task Bose settled down in Kabul and started to make arrangements for the next step of his journey During war time he could come to Germany only through the territory o f USSR For this purpose he required a passport which he did not have German Embassy applied to the Italian one Italians considered the German request positively Bose got passport in respect of Italian citizen Mazzotta Holding this passport Bose applied to the Soviet Embassy for transit visa crossed the USSR territory and came to Berlin

Mazzotta disappeared But German Consulate General drew attention to Bhagat Ram who was introduced as a powerful Indian activist in Afghanistan and India with anti-British orientation It was o f interest and he was suggested to work for the German Secret Service German resident was satisfied with Ramrsquos past his contacts and mood especially because he was concerned about difficulties o f the anti-British activities in India shortage of agents and information as well as conspiratorial bases in India Bosersquos recommendation also helped Ram was thinking it would be important for me and my party to establish contacts with enemies of their enemies

Offer on co-operation was accepted Ram left German Consulate having 100 000 Indian Rupees in his pocket 12 guns and ballets Money and arms were required by the people whom Ram would be recruiting in India Since May 1941 after the German finished their checking Ram had become the main agent o f the German Secret Service in India

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337 Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 9 4 0 5 September 9 2005

The Em bassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Em bassyrsquos earlier Note Verbales on the visit of a delegation of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 20-30 2005 in connection with enquiring into the facts and circum stances relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

It is confirmed th a t all logistical arrangem ents for official JMCI delegation and the accompanying eight deponents would be facilitated by the Embassy with no financial implications to the Russian side

It would be appreciated if the decision of the esteemed Ministry on visas for the visiting team may kindly be expedited

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

Copy to Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

No 5830 2DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Notes No SA16605 of 08 August No SA17405 of 18 August and No SA17905 and No SA18005 of 26 August this year has the honour to inform as follows

Justice Mukherjee as a Head of the Delegation set up by the Government of India to inquire about life of Subhas Chandra Bose pertaining to the period from 1945 onwards as well as the accompanying delegation will be given access to the documents kept in the Reading Halls o f the Federal and State Archives of the Subjects o f the Russian Federation in Moscow St Petersburg Irkutsk and Omsk through the Federal Archives Agency of the Russian Federation All expenditures related to the arrangements for their visit air-passage accommodation transport and medical insurance etc should be borne by the Indian side The Federal Archive Agency requests to inform Mr MK Mukherjee of the addresses of Federal Archives given below

1 Russian State Archive for social and political history - 103 821 Moscow 15 B Dmitrovka Str Director - Kiril M Anderson Tel 229 97 26

2 Russian State Archive of Audio- Photo Documents - 143 400 Moscow Region Krasnogorsk 1 Rechnaya Str Director - Lyudmila P Zapryagaeva Tel 562 14 64 563 08 45

3 Russian State Archive for Phono Documents 105 005 Moscow3 2ya Baumanskaya Str Director - Vladimir A Kolyada Tel 261 13 00

4 Russian State Naval Archive - 191 186 St Perersburg 36 Millionnaya Str Director - Vladimir S Sobolev Tel (812)312 11 37

The Federal Archives Agency recommends the following for work with the documents o f

- Central State Archive of St Petersburg - to apply to St Petersburg Archives Committee (193 015 St Petersburg 39 Tavricheskaya Str) Chairman of the Committee - Mr Anatoly D Yashkov Tel (812) 271 44 55)

- State Archive of Omsk Region - to apply to the Archive Department of the Ministry for State and Legal Development o f Omsk Region Head - Ms Galina Yu Borodina (644 099 Omsk 1 Tretyakova Str) Tel (381-2) 25 57 26

- State Archive of Irkutsk Region - to apply to Archive Department of Irkutsk Region Head - Ms Nadezhda K Shestakova (664003 Irkutsk 36a Gorkogo Str) Tel (395-2) 24 06 42

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow ldquo 15 ldquo September 2005

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA Moscow

slvNon-paper

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P o c c h h Ndeg 2 5 5 7 2 amp A o t 1 8 0 7 2 0 0 5 r )

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poccHftcKHe KOMneTeHTHBie opraHbi npoBenH H C H epnbm aiom H e H3bicKaHHfl

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KOTOpbix 6bm BbWBJieH p a fl AOKyMeHTOB b KOTopbix ynoMHHajiocb h m s C H E o ca

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2004 r b apxHBax OCE 46-th CTpaHHHHbiH OKyMeHT)

B 3aK pbiTbix apxH BH bix (J)OHflax HaxoA5imHxcfl Ha TeppHTOpHH P o cchh ck o h

O e^epaHH H KaKHX-jinSo CBe^eHHH 0 CHEoce He o6HapygtKeHo

9

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow___ Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337

Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 8 0 0 5 August 26 2005

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Embassyrsquos earlier communications regarding the visit of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 18-30 2005

By way of background information given below are the relevant details of JMCI -

(i) The Government o f India Ministry o f Home Affairs New Delhi vide a gazette notification No S 0339(B) dated 14th May 1999 appointed Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry for Inquiry into the Alleged Disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under Section (3) o f the Commission o f Inquiry Act o f 1952 (60 o f 1952)

(ii) As per this notification Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry shall inquire into all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945 and subsequent developments connected therewith including-(a) whether Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is dead or alive(b) I f he is dead whether he died in the plane crash as alleged(c) Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are the ashes o f Netaji(d) Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and if

so when and how(e) I f he is alive in respect o f his whereabouts

(iii) The Commission shall also examine the manner in which the exercise o f Scrutiny o f Publications touching upon the question o f death or otherwise on Netaji can be undertaken by the Central Government in the circumstances

(iv) Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry is funded by the Ministry o f Home Affairs Government o f India and is an official Commission

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

Copy to M inistry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV t J 001

A MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS (PP) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of material immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

Deputy Secretary (Russia) Ph 23015199 Intercom 2285

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

Dr T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

T c J i h irvMUt(SOMNATH GHOSH)

Deputy Secretary Ministry of External Affairs

New Deifci

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 1^1002

( t

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No R T I-2 pound _ A S (P P )2 0 0 7

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance_of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anufpfiar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) 6t

Appellate Authority (RTI) 09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

g^py forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - H W U(Ajal Choudhfy)

1 o 7

0 v

j N lsquoaA gt ^ 1 ^

04 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV

MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS-iEP-) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of matenal immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

D tpu ij u su ta i J iu J o ia JPh 23015199 Intercom 228S

D r T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

h i 7-

_100pound 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 002

Most Immediate

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No RTI-HiLAS(PP) 2007

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed bv Shri Anul Dhar under RTI 200S - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anurbhar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC ------ = = = = mdash

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) amp

Appellate Authority (RTI)09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

JZopy forwarded to JS(Eurasla) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - t t U X f (Ajal ChoudMfy)

k

Buff 43402

Square C u t Raider A4 434Made in London

Blue 43403 Green 43404 Grey 43405 Orange 43406 Pink 43407 Red 43408 Yellow 43409 Mauve 43414

Page 2: V ' . . . Disci* wi/K 0*s*/ - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ...

For_offxciaUjse^orix

From Indembassy MoScow To Foreign New pound)elhi

No MOSPOL125190

Scg^aiji

September 12 2014

Please refer to yOHr mail dated gept 3 2 O I4 seeking inputs on Part 2 o f the RTI application frdegm Shri M ura^i $rivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP on Netaji Suba^b Chandra 0 o se-

2 Copies o f the follow ing relevant Correspondence received from Russian side are attacfred

(i) NV No 2YhA ltU8 January 1 ^ 2(ii) No 73Yu A da^ed October 1^95(iii) Letter fr0fH Ar^b KdegtoV to Am b Ronen Sen

3 It m ay be see fro^i the above PaPers that there is no inform ation to suggest the stay o f Netaji Suba$b (3handra Bose in Russia or then USSR in the particu lar j aU m entioned in be applicantrsquos query

4 This issues w ith the apProv91 0f

With Regards

(Gopal Ram) Second Secretary (Pol)

AMB DCM C(P)

PStoC(P)

For official use onlye-gram

No MOSPOL125190 September 12 2014

From Indembassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) from SS(Pol)

Please refer to your mail dated Sept 3 2014 seeking inputs on Part 2 o f the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose

2 Copies o f the following relevant correspondence received from Russian side are attached-

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Amb Kotov to Amb Ronen Sen

3 It may be seen from the above papers that there is no information to suggest the stay o f Netaji Subash Chandra Bose in Russia or then USSR in the particular ja il mentioned in the applicantrsquos query

4 This issues with the approval o f DCM

W ith Regards

(Uopai Kam) Second Secretary (Pol)

One message^ To Oir(CHS) ltgt MCA ltd(fets()meagovinraquo

Daic 09121-1 12 45 PMfrom SandMp Aryi laquoacmmoscowmraquoa gov

Reply To dcm moscowmea gov in

MOS1209201 lt1-269 egm (Ik8) S C Bose pdf (1 2MB)

Kindly soc attachment and acknowledge rcccipt

Regards

O o Deputy Chief ol Mission Embassy oi India Moscow

(rough translation)

M in is try of Foreign A ffa irs R ussian Federation

No 2 YuA lsquo rsquo

The M in istry of Foreign A ffa irs of the Russian Federation presents its com plim ents to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the E m bassy s Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that accord ing to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no in form ation whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The M inistry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscov^ 8 January 1992

E m bassy of the R epublic o f India M oscow

laquo

M inistry of Foreign A ffairs of the Russian Federation

73Yu A

The M inistry of Foreign A ffa irs of the Russian Federation presents its com plim ents to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central A rchiva l Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents_of Modern H istory no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhush C handra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The M inistry of Foreign A ffa irs avails itself of this opportunity tc renew to the Em bassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 199

Em bassy of the Republic of India M oscow

A m b a s s a d o r o f l i id ia to the Russian Federation

D e a r R o n e n _

E n c l o s e d Y o u will f ind o u r n o t e c o n c e r n i n g S u b h a s h C h a n d r a

Do^e D o be l i e v e t h a t we ha ve t r i ed o u r bes t to d i s c ov e r any re le vant

a n y pos i t ive i n f o r m a t i o n on t h e sub j ec t of n o t t h e l east i m p o r t a n c e for

ha s n e v e r set foot o n t h e R u s s i a n soi l Ex t e n s i v e r e s e a r c h c a r r i ed out

u p o n t h e l ates t r e q u e s t o f Y o u r s c a n h a r d l y leave a ny d o u b t s to thlb

t h e I n d i a n pub l i c Al as by now it a p p e a r s tha t we c a n be s u r e t ha t NVtaj

S i n c e r e l y Y o u r s

Yu Kot ov

3 7 S ^

Intervention by HEMrAnatoly MDrukov mbassador of

Bress-conferenceie Foreign Correspondents Clu b

_______ b y ________ Ambassador of Russia in India during the gtress-conference on the 210296 in

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

information on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

much emotion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

copyEmbassy of India

Moscow

Deputy Secretary(Eurasia) has requested this Missionrsquos input on Part 2 of the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP seeking information under RTI Act 2005 whether Netaji Subash Chandra Bose is still alive in Okotoks Jail in Siberia and if notldquosought the information about the prisoner who has been lodged in Okotoks Jailrdquo

2 As per records available in the Mission Russian Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 informed that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose having stayed on the territory o f the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years

3 Copies o f following relevant correspondence received from Russian side are placed below -

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Ambassador YuKotov to Ambassador Ronen Sen (with enclosure)

4 DFA is placed below for approval pi

SS(Pol)892014

Counselfor(Pol)

I

E-MailFax

No MOSPOL125190 September 9 2014

From Indem bassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) from SS(Pol)

Please refer to your mail dated Sept 3 2014 seeking inputs on Part 2 o f the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose

2 Copies o f the follow ing relevant correspondence received from Russian side are attached-

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Amb Kotov to Amb Ronen Sen

3 It may be seen from the above papers that there is no r ^

particular ja il m entioned in the applicantrsquos query Henee - it would b e -pppmpriatR_to_rep ly -to -tho applicant that- nomdashstteh-- informationmdashismdash-available with -asv

a v a i l a b l e mdash ^ - ^ t h e stay o f Netaji Subash Chandra

W ith Regards

(Gopal Ram) Second Secretary (Pol)

C o u n s e llo r (P o litic a l)

Pag o f 1

I f I

From d irers ltd ire rs m eagovingtltm inpo l ind ianem bassyrugt

~ent W ednesday S ep tem ber 03 2014 1113 AM Attach IM G pdf Subject S P A M ldquo RTI MOST IMMEDIATE

For Counsellor (Pol)

Enclosed please find an RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate seeking information on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

It is requested that Missions inputs on Part 2 of the question raised in the RTI application may be sent to us at an early date

Regards

Pankaj Saxena Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) Ministry of External Affairs RoomNo235G South Block New Delhi-110 011 Tel 2301 4600

ltK

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932014

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p o litic a l d ip lo m a tic s o lu tio n H o w e v e r w e re fo c u s e d m ilita r i ly o n s t re n g th e n in g d e fe n s e o f o u r a llie s T h a t s o u r c o re ta s k R a s m u s s e n s a id b e fo re a m e e tin g w ith E U d e fe n s e m in is te rs

W e re r ig h t n o w c o n s id e r in g fu r th e r s te p s to s tre n g th e n o u r c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e A s I in d ic a te d th a t a ls o in c lu d e s w h a t I w o u ld ca ll a p p ro p r ia te d e p lo y m e n ts h e a d d e d c o m m e n tin g on th e c u rre n t a g e n d a

B u t its a b it to o e a r ly to g o in to d e ta ils a s to h o w w e w ill in c o n c re te te rm s s tre n g th e n c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e B u t no o n e s h o u ld d o u b t o u r d e te rm in a t io n to e n s u re in te n s iv e d e fe n s e a n d p ro te c tio n o f a ll a ll ie s R a s m u s s e n s ta te d w ith n o fu r th e r d e ta ils o n th e a ll ia n c e s p ro s p e c t iv e s tra te g y

S p e a k in g a t p r io r m e e tin g s th e S e c re ta ry -G e n e ra l a ls o v o ic e d c o n c e rn s a b o u t c la s h e s in e a s te rn U k ra in e b e tw e e n p ro - fe d e ra liz a t io n p ro te s te rs a n d fo rc e s lo y a l to th e g o v e rn m e n t c a llin g on R u s s ia to d e -e s c a la te th e c r is is a n d pu ll b a c k its la rg e n u m b e r o f tro o p s in c lu d in g s p e c ia l fo rc e s fro m th e a re a a ro u n d U k ra in e s b o rd e r w h ile w a rn in g th a t a n y fu r th e r R u s s ia n m ilita ry in te r fe re n c e w o u ld o n ly d e e p e n R u s s ia s in te rn a t io n a l is o la t io n

R u s s ia n F o re ig n M in is te r S e rg e i L a v ro v re je c te d W e s te rn a c c u s a t io n s th a t R u s s ia w a s b e h in d th e c r is is in s o u th e a s te rn U k ra in e s a y in g n e ith e r R u s s ia n s e c u r ity a g e n ts n o r s o ld ie rs h a v e b e e n d e p lo y e d to th e re g io n

T h e M in is try s a id th a t N A T O is a tte m p tin g to u s e th e U k ra in ia n c r is is a s an im a g in a ry th re a t to u n ite th e a ll ia n c e s m e m b e rs p u s h in g fo r R u s s ia s is o la t io n

Updated headline quote in paras 2 3

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W orld s Most B eautifu l Things

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M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Tel 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u s rs m e a g o v in

WI (AD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u F S (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P lease find a ttached a self-exp lanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f Subhash C hand ra Bose u n d er the R T I Act for kind necessary action a t your end

ahul S hrivastava) U n d er S ecre tary 7 Janu ary 2 0 0 8

No RTI5517606Ministry of External Affairs

( RTI Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquos note WI (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content of the note was conveyed to the Information Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government of

j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russian 1 Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the National

Achieve o f India

We have received a communication to this effect from the CIC which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(AK Nag) JS (Wei amp Inf) amp CPIO

December 18 2007

In fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r

gt O P KEJARIWAL fe laquoft-110067 B lo ck-IV 5 th F lo o r O ld JN U C a m p u s

N e w D e lh i-1 1 0 0 6 7 T ele fax 26717351

C entra In fo rm a t io n C o m m is s io n

November 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T I5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian Governm ent for disclosure of the N eta ji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar We have now received a le tte r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N eta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portan t from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere ind iv idualrsquos in terest He suggests and reuests therefore that this m ateria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India from abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m a tte r t h erefore is pursued w ith the I Russian G overnm ent so th a t w hatever m ateriah s o f va lue a nd in te rest to India m ay com e to us especially in the present case

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) Ministry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

Yours sincerely

(OP Kejariw al)

To 26 November 2007

Dr OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner Central Information Commission Old JNU Campus New Delhi - 110067

Subject R eq u est to Ind ian Errbassy to procure p ost-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian arch ives

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter NoR TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2007 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision N oC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made v this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the

Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Embassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

i

2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing ruies or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at times provide information A request from the Embassy of India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

^ would not yvant this exercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant records are identified the Embassy may procure them for the National Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India

since they are likely to provide a never befc 3 insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world w a r for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n L ____2 63 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mayzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez iden ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)[A rch ive o f the P res id en t o f the R uss ian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lsk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606-13-33 Fax (495 ) 606 -19 -66

2 Is to riko-dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del R F (ID D M ID) [H is torico-D ocum enta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in is try o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o lenska ia -S enna ia p loshchad 3234 Tel (495) 244-32-19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i po litik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (A V P RF)[A rch ive o f Fore ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241-04-80

4 Tsen tra lrsquonyi a rkh iv M in is te rs tva o bo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f D e fense]142100 M oskovskaia ob las t P odo lrsquosk ul K irova 74 Tel (495) 715-90-05 (0967) 54-00-03

5 G lavno je R azvedyva te lno je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilitary In te lligence D irecto ra te arch ives Address not know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 TsentraPnyi a rkh iv Federa lno i s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (TsA FSB R ossjj)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F edera l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzhby vneshne i razvedki RF (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)[O perational A rch ive o f the Fore ign In te lligence S erv ice ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 5110Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 245 -33 -68 Fax (495) 247-05-29

8 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (TsA M VD R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In te rna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovocherem ushk inska ia 67 (Archive) ul Zoi i A leksa nd ra K osm odem iansk ikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-90

2

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7 Jan 2008 1626

NameFax Number

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C

L i

DIRlt ERS)MEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1626 P0105

M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Te l 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u srs m eag o v in

WI(AJD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u FS (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P le as e find a ttached a self-explanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f S ubhash C hand ra Bose under the RT Act for kind necessary action a t your end

lahul S h rivastava) U n d e rs e c re ta ry 7 J a n u a ry 2 0 0 8

DIR(ERS gtMEflRNQ235C 7 Jan 2008 16=26 P020b

No RTI5517606 Ministry of External Affairs

( RTX Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquo s note W I (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser o f complete correspondence

with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash | Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content o f the note was conveyed to the Information j Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant bull The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government o f j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russiani Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the Nationali bull

W e have received a communication to this effect from the CIC

i s J

Achieve o f India

which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(A K Nag) JS (W ei amp Inf) amp CPIO1

December 18 2007

DIR( ERS gtMEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1627 P 0305

gt O P KEJARIWALSTTJprf

-MiX TR 4 58 cfcr TPTT

fcc=6ft11 0 0 6 7 Biock-lV 5th Floor Oki JNU Campus

I n fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r New Delhi-110067 Telefax 26717351

Centra Information Commission

Novem ber 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T 5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian G overnm ent fo r disclosure of the N etaji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar W e have now received a le t te r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N e ta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portant from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere individuals in terest He suggests and reuests th ere fo re that this m a te ria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India f rom abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m atte r therefore is pursued w ith the Russian Governm ent so th a t w hatever m ateria l is of va lue and interest to India may come toTis especially in the present case

Yours sincerely

(O P Kejariw al)

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) M inistry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C 7 Jan 2008 16 = 2 P 0405

02 6 N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 7

Dr OP Kejariwal information Com missioner Central Information Commission

+ Old JNU Campus N ew Delhi - 110067

Subject R e q u e s t to Ind ian Em bassy to procure post-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian a rc h ive s

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter N o R TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2 0 07 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTi Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision NoC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

lt think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Em bassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

4 2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing rules or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at tim es provide information A request from the Embassy o f India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

I would not w ant this e xercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant fcS ords s re identified the Em bassym ay procure them fo rtheN atTonal Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India since they are likely to provide a never befc s insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

1

DIR ( ERS) ME ARN0235C7 Jan 2008 16=27

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world war for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n t 2 6 3 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mazzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez idsn ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)Archive o f th e P re s id e n t o f the R ussian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lrsquosk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606 -13 -33 Fax (495) 606-19-66

2 Is to riko -dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del RF (ID D M ID) [H is to rico -D ocum en ta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in istry o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o ie nska ia -S en n a ia p loshchad rsquo 3234 Tel (495) 244 -32 -19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i p o lit ik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (AVP RF)[A rch ive o f Fo re ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241 -04 -80

4 Tsen tra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva obo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f th e M in is try o f D e fense] - bull -142100 M oskovska ia o b la s t P odo lsk ul K irova74 Tel (495 )715-90-05 (0 9 6 7 )5 4 -0 0 -0 3

5 G lavno je R a zve dyva te ln o je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilita ry In te lligence D irectora te a rch ives A ddress no t know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv FederaPnoi s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (T sA FS B R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F e de ra l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzh by vneshne i razvedki R F (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)(O perational A rch ive o f the F o re ign In te lligence Service ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 51 10Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 2 4 5 -33 -6 8 Fax (495) 247-05-29

Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (T sA M VD R ossii)[Central A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In terna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovoche rem ushk inska la 67 (Archive) ul Z o i i A le ksa n d ra K osm odem ianskikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-30

ffs

amp-3gt) i c y v

Embassy of India Moscow(Political Wing) f t

r r v ^Subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with USSRRussia over the

disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 reg

Reference remarks made by the Ambassador on FR a letter from JS (Wei ampInf) addressed to Shri OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner copy endorsed to Min (Pol) on the above subject

Back ground of the case On receipt o f a copy o f AS (PP )rsquo s Note No RTI- 36AS(PP)07 dated 942007 on the above subject Mission vide fax dated 130407 forwarded few copies o f Missionrsquos correspondence with the local authorities on the subject to AS(PP) -------- At F A

Subsequently on receipt o f JS(ERS)rsquo s letter No 1 lJS(ERS)2007 dated 20407 enclosed with A S (PP )rsquo s Note No 30AS(PP)07 amp JS(CNV)rsquo s Note along with copies o f correspondence available in CNV Division on the subject Mission has sent a Note Verbale No SA8907 dated 1752007 to Russian Foreign Ministry requesting for the views o f the Russian side whether the information provided by them could be released to the appellant -------At FB

Documents provided by Russian side and forwarded to the Commission

(i) Documents initially provided by the Russian side attached with Note Verbale No1423 DA dated 28h June 2001 which was forwarded to the Ministry on August

31 2001 may please be seen a t-----FC in the linked file

(ii ) On the basis of an affidavit submitted to the Justice Mukherjee Commission a Note Verbale No SA25904 dated December 22 2004 was sent to the M FA and reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 13142 DA dated 4 March 2005 enclosed with a copy of letter from Mr V Sayadyants to the Soviet Ambassador to Iran Mr IV Sadchikov regarding the political situation in India in 1946 may please be seen a t--------FD in the linked file

Response of the Russian side

( i) A reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 42952 DA dated 2262007 stating therein that ldquo the documents from Russian Archives handed over in June 2001 were for official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up by it for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo This was conveyed to the Ministry vide letter No MOSPOL125190 dated 472007 --------At FE

P2

2

Again on receipt o f a copy o f the decision o f Central Information Commission vide No RTI5517606 dated 22082007 (At FF) Mission took up the matter with M FA vide Note Verbale No SA17307 dated 1892007 for which a reply was received vide No 42952DA dated 11007 reiterating their view that the documents from RussianArchives were submitted exclusively for official use by the GOI including Thiswas conveyed to the Ministry vide E-gram dated 10102007-----At FG

Submitted as desired by Min (Pol) please

2

f^TT FTRTTM IN ISTR Y O F E X TE R N A L A F FA IR S

NEW D ELH I

Dated 2nd November 2007 I gt gt v

gt ldquo $

NoRTI551762006

Shri OP KejariwalInformation Commissioner Central Information Commission Club Building Old JNU Campus New Delhi-110 067 bull

Subject- Disclosure o f complete correspondenc e with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RT[ Act 2005

SirAs per directives o f the Honrsquoble Central Information

Commission contained in Para 13 o f the decisioNoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi seeking certified copies o f the complete correspondence this Ministry had with the Governments of the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

9 ^ 2 Our Embassy in Moscow again approached the Government of Russian Federation to get their consent to the disclosure o f documents under reference but the Government of Russian Federation reiterated that documents were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government o f India for investigation o f Netajee Subhash Chandra Bose disappearance

3 However they state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note o f the Embassy can approach the authorities o f the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy o f India for permission to get to know the M aterials deposited in Federal and State Archives o f the Russian Federation

OV-

g ji)

j d L

Yours faithfully

(AK Nag) Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer

_ f

- i V lt L

Copy for information forwarded to-

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110 018

2 Director(ERS) Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi with reference to his Note NoW l(AD)5511007 dated 25102007

Minister (Pol) Embassy o f India Moscow

Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp Central Public Information Officer

N o W l(A D ) 5 5 1 1 0 0 7 M inistry o f External A ffa irs

(ERS D ivision)

W ith re ference your N ote No R T I5 5 1 7 6 0 6 dated 2 2 8 2 0 0 7 to JS (E R S ) regarding d isclosure o f com plete correspondence w ith the USSRRussia o v e r th e d is a p p e a ra n c e o N e ta ji S u b h a s h C h a n d ra B o s g u n d e r R T I A c t 2005 p lease find enclosed th e unofficial translation o f th e note verb ale dated 1 0 c to b e r rsquo0 7 sent by R ussian M inistry o f Foreign Affairs in reply to the note verbale sent by our E m bassy in M o scow on the subject

(A rya S an d e e p ) D irector (E R S )

2 5 O ctob er 2 0 0 7

JS (W ei amp Inf ampCentral Public In form ation O fficer

v C op y to M in ister (Pol) E m bassy o f India M oscow

U n o ffic ia l T ra n s la tio n

Quote

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highest consideration

Moscow 01st October 2007

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

For official use only

E-GRAM

NoMOSPOL 125 190 laquo y October 10 2007

From To

Indembassy Moscow Foreign New Delhi

AStERS) from Minister (Poll

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

Q u o teUnofficial translation

Moscow 01st October 2007

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

sd-(Dr Subhakanta Behera)

Minister (Political)

a I JH

NICEMAIL r^T^X Page 1 o f 1

y

Current Folder SentMaill y II

I - Compose rsquo^ Addresses ^ Folders EOptions gt Search ^ H e lp sij^Fetch ^ss^Calen

Message List | Delete | Edit Previous I Next Forward I Forward as Attachment | Reply | Reply A ll Message as N ew ------------1 ----------- 1-------------------------------- 1 ldquo r J 1

Subject Message from EI MoscowFrom dcmmoscowmeagovinDate Wed October 10 2007 110 pm

To jsersmeagovinPriority NormalOptions V iew Full Header | V iew Printable V ersion | Add to Addressbook

Attachments

untitled -[l] Ok [texthtm l] download | view

MQS10100716dth 175 k [ applicationoctet-stream ] download

10)0o

NoMOSpOL125190 October 10 2007

From Indernbassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

AS(BRS) from Minister (Pol)

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

Q u o teUnofficial translation

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of

September 20o7 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22laquod of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

For official use only

1

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

Moscow 01st October 2007

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Minister (Political)

No64682DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and

the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 da ted the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

In add ition to the Note o f the M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion No 429 5 2D A dated the 22 nd o f June 2007 in form tha t docum ents from R ussian a rch ives w ere subm itted e xc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the

the Com m issionAfor investiga tion o f N eta jee S ubhas C handra B ose d isappea rance d e ta iis ^s ta b lis h e d by the G ove rnm en t o f IndiaD

p TU-Indian c itizen m en tioned in the Note o f the E m bassy has ^ f fg h t th rough the E m b a s sy tfo request and to fee- get to k n o w ^ a te r ia ls depos ited in Federa l and S ta te A rch ives o f the R ussian F ede ra tion w ith the perm iss ion o f its authorities

The M in is try ava ils th is opportun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest conside ra tion

M oscow 01st O ctober 2007

A ppend ix N ote N o4295 2D A

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

ampJk i A

lAK i

M

bull J U h J t ^ J JLflJ L (L S U s ^ S u (jrcopywO ^ (V|Pj iVv ^ |0]laquo f 1 r i r I - r r J I - 1Olgt-^ |1 CJ |ltg fkiiXn

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o 1

r

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Nlti 4 2 9 5 2 M

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No42952DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and quo ting the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 dated the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

D ocum ents from R ussian a rch ives m entioned in the N ote o f the E m bassy w ere subm itted in particu lar in June 2001 exc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the use by the C om m iss ion fo r inves tiga tion o f N e ta jee S ubhas C handra Bose d isappea rance deta ils estab lished by the G ove rnm en t o f India

W e a lso in form tha t the access to Federa l and S ta te A rch ive s o f the R ussian Federa tion is a llow ed w ith the perm iss ion o f Federa l a rch ives A g en cy (R osarch ives) the read ing in read ing room s o f concre te a rch ives w ith th e perm ission o f a rch ives s truc tu res au tho rities o f co rrespond ing bod ies on the basis o f appea l o f E m bassies sc ien tific research ins titu tes and pub lic o rgan iza tions

The M in is try ava ils th is oppo rtun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest considera tion

M oscow 02nd June 2007

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

MHHHCTepcTBO PiHocTpaHHbix 0eji Pocchhckoh

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No SA8907 ot 17 Mah 2007 rofla HMeeT qecrb coo6ihhtigt

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MHHHCTepcTBO nojib3yeTCfl cuynaeM h t o 6 m b o3o 6 h o b h t b

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NoSA17307

gt v

TRcT ltTv5f rram TTWTEMBASSY OF INDIA

MOSCOWriOCOIbCTBO HhaMM

MocKBa

18 September 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure of entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

J rThe Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent

vdeg a u th o r ity (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sidersquos view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set

^ up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji V A Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not

^ disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if suchaterial could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry it

could be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissionrsquos work is over Thecompetent authority is of the opinion that the material in question could be disclosed

W ^ deg the Appellant They further advised the Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi to formal clearance for the disclosure of the entire material on the above subject

J ^ ^ ^ f r o r y ^ e ^ i l i s s i a n side

- esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure of the above material maylease be communicated to this Mission at an early date

-

f

mbassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to tfte ^ in ijP r^W f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ^ of the Russian F e d e r ^ J ^(2nd Asia Department) 4 - 1 ^ gt i Csy~~~ aM o s c o w 1

6-8 yn BopoHUOBO rioie 131940 r MocKBa

Ten 007-095-783-75-35 007-095-783-75-34

wwwindianembassyru

tjgt2 t 007-095-916-36- 3 2 007-095-975-23-37

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR

JS(WelampInf) amp Central Public Information Officer has forwarded u s the CIC decision with request to initiate action in accordance with p a ra -13 th e Information Commission is all for disclosure of the material The CIC does not see any reason why the m aterial should not be disclosed now to any researcher since the Justice Mukherjee Commissionrsquos work is over Accordingly it has advised the Ministry of External Affairs to seek the formal clearance from the Russian authorities in the m atter

2 DCMrsquos last comm unication with JS(ERS) was made on 4th July 2007 DCM had forwarded the translation of the note verbale received from the Russian Foreign Office

3 In the light of above we may again send a note verbale to the Foreign Office in accordance with p a ra -13 of the CIC decision

Subm itted please

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

Sept 13 2007

NoSA17307 $ September 2007

The Embassy o f India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure o f entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

The Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent authority (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sides view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if such material could be made available to the Justice Mukheerjee Commission for inquiry they see no reason why-thisO material should iw k be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissions work is over The competent authority is of the ifem opinion that the material in question should be disclosed to the Appellant They further advised the Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi to obtain formal clearance for the disclosure o f the entire material on the above subject from the Russian side

The esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure o f the above material may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2nd Asia Department) Moscow

No R TI5517606 Ministry o f External Affairs

(RTI Division)

Subject - Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

Please find enclosed herewith Central Information Com m issionrsquos decision NoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar o f New Delhi

2 It is requested that necessary action may please be initiated in accordance with para-13 o f the CIC decision

EnclAs above

JS (Eiirasia)

(AiC Nag) Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer22-08-2007

mdash o j^ VxkxraquoA

OJLgt ^

J amp u - cVjl_JL bull

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(XaA

- e j

(e-US)

V mdash j ^ bull

S c

X H bull ( 0 r h

gf if raquofn2(gt0Dy N o pound 3 amp RTI D1V200gt

Central Information Commission ilaquoWDlaquoted4i^USd|ampL~

sect $ I| | i yyNoCICOKA200600671

Dated 10 August 2007

Name of the Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar263 Kangra NiketanVikaspuri New Delhi - 110 018

Name of the Public Authority Ministry of External Affairs

Background

Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi filed an application with the PIO Ministry of

External Affairs on 2 August 2006 for seeking certified copies of the complete

correspondence the Ministry of External Affairs had with the Governments of

the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash

Chandra Bose

2 The PIO vide his letter dated 25 August 2006 informed the Appellant that

the request to the Government of USSR and the Russian Federation were made

through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels The PiO also stated that the

requisite copies of the correspondence could not be disclosed at it involves the

relations with a foreign State and so was exempt from disclosure as per the

provisions of Clause 8(1 )(a)amp(f) of the RTI Act

3 Dissatisfied with the reply of the PIO the Appellant filed an appeal with

the first Appellate Authority on 23 September 2006 who vide his letter dated 6

November 2006 again denied disclosure of the documents taking recourse to the

Section 8(1 )(a) and (i) The bench of Dr OP Kejariwal Information

mmissioner heard the matter on 23 March 2007

4 The main stand of the Respondents to the information sought by the

Appellant which is regarding the correspondence between India and the

Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia was that this

information could not be disclosed as it was likely to affect the countryrsquos

relationship with another State On making enquiries from the Respondents it

was clear that this correspondence had neither been seen nor been examined

by an expert to come to such a conclusion Therefore the Commission felt

that the Applicantrsquos application had been treated casually

5 The Commission then directed the Respondents to first have this

correspondence examined by their own experts and if need be by an outside

expert who they could rely on and then take a firm decision In case the

experts came to the conclusion that the applicability of the denial clause was

not relevant in the case the material could be disclosed to the Appellant

However in case the Respondents came to the conclusion that the relations

between the Governments of india and Russia would be affected through the

disclosure of this information the Commission would like the issue to be

settled only after a reference had been made to the Government of Russia

6 The matter was taken up for a second hearing by the bench of Dr OP

Kejariwal Information Commissioner on 10 August 2007

7 Shri AK Naag Joint Secretary (Inf amp Wei) amp CPIO and Shri Nand

Kishore Under Secretary (RTI) represented the Respondents

8 The Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar was present in person

Decision

9 The Commission heard both the sides During the hearing the

Respondents stated before the Commission that they had received a response

from the Government of the Russian Federation Moscow in pursuance of the

Commissionrsquos earlier Order in the matter dated 23 March 2007

10 This letter stated ldquoaccording to the correspondence received from the

Embassy of India Moscow the Russian Foreign Office has stated that the

documents handed over by them in June 2001 were meant only for the GOIrsquos

official use and for the work of the Commission in investigations into the

disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo

11 During the hearing the Appellant stated that his request included the

entire correspondence between the Governments of India and the USSR

regarding nf NPtajirsquos disappearance The Commission accepted this

request and directed the Respondents to clearly mention this while seeking the

approval of the Russian authorities for disclosure of this material

12 Also during the hearing the Appellant made a plea for a copy of the

letter received by the Ministry of External Affairs resulting from the application

that he had made on the issue The Commission saw no objection in this

request and directs the Respondents to supply a copy of this letter to the

Appellant

13 The Commission further feels that if the material could be made

available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the

disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be

disclosed now to any Researcher now that that Commissionrsquos work is over The

information Commission therefore is all for disclosure of this material to the

Appellant However it advises the Ministry of External Affairs to seek a formal------ ------ - _ ____________ ___

clearance from the Russian Authorities in the matter

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110018

Shri AK Nag Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) a Central Public Information Officer Room No 207 Akbar Bhawan Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110021

3 Shri Ajay Choudhary Additional Secretary amp Appellate Authority Room No 144 C South Block Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110011

4 Officer Incharge NSC

5 Press E Group CIC

(OP Kejariwal) Information Commissioner

Cc

The Statesman

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01

[ India ]-

Netaji filesrsquo disclosure ordered

New Delhi Aug 16 The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the external affairs ministry to disclose its correspondence with the erstwhile USSR over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra BoseldquoThe Commission feels that if the material could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be disclosed to any researcher nowrdquo information commissioner Mr OP Kejariwal saidThe Commission made this observation while hearing Mission Netajirsquos plea for certified copies of the complete correspondence between India and the USSR over Netajirsquos disappearance in 1945 The CIC in its decision relied on a letter from officials in Moscow that said the documents which were handed over to India were meant for ldquoofficial use and for the work o f the Mukherjee Commission n PTI

Discussion on this Ind ia itemDisclaimer These are Internet generated discussion threads for which the The Statesman has no responsibilityNo discussions on this item

t o P os

Login

Usernar

Passwo

New

9 fM raquo f -

m m m m

O ther India

Cabinet nod to new farm scheme

Q case CBI m ay cancel notice

Thaw in Left-UPA ties

Keshubhai joins rebels

http wwwthestatesmannetpagenewsphpclid=2amptheme=ampusrsess=lampid=l 66383 8172007

N o f j j M j l J X K

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raquo

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR and noting of FS(Pol) thereon

2 It seems the Russian Foreign Office does not want to add anything beyond what they have already pu t in the note verbale of Ju n e 22 2007 However if the said note verbale is read together with the bilateral Agreement of 2000 it becomes clear th a t there is no bar oft supplying confidential information to persons asking for the sam e According to Article 3b ot the Agreement decisions to hand over particular classified information shall be taken by the Parties on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the laws of their States

3 Moreover as a scrutiny of the correspondences between the SovietRussian and Indian sides shows they do not contain any sensitive information All the correspondences convey the result of the search in the Russian Archives Perhaps tha t is why JS(CNV) was inclined to suggest the disclosure of the correspondences

4 Given my positive view on the m atter for disclosure of the correspondences I would however like to propose tha t the Ministry may be sent a copy of the note verbale received from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to take into cognizance of the Agreement of 2000 before taking any final decision on the m atter If needed LampT Division in the Ministry may also be consulted

Subm itted please

(r

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

July 3 2007

No 42952DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation and in reference to the Note SA8907 dated 17th May 2007 has honour to inform the following -

The documents from Russian archives referred to in the Embassyrsquos note in particular handed over in June 2001 for official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set up by it for the investigation of circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

cm)

a

W e further inform that the access to materials belong to federal and state archives of the Russian Federation is given with the consent of Federal Agency of Achieves (Rosarchiv) and permission to work in reading halls of agency archives is given by authorities of archives belong to concerned agencies on direct requests by embassies scientific amp research institutions and social organizations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation assurances of its highest consideration

^ ft o j L (vLoo jP xjlJ~plt~ Moscow 22 June 2007

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NoS -^ V JS (E R S )0 7

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9 hTIclt o agtA

P ^ gt r^ yV lt gt V gilaquo )laquo A ^ t Ministry o f External AffairsSouth Block New D elh i-110 011 M ail jsers m eagovin

J L ^ 7 7 0 A A t u - Phone 23017411

PhFax 2 3 0 1 9 2 2

j 3 gt kC ) h ^ Alt 5 ^ ^ M-V r Vw

T his is w ith reference to m y le tter no 11 J S (E R S)2007 d a ted April 20 2007 regard ing a req u e s t m ade u n d e r ldquoRight to in form ationrdquo (copy enclosed for ready reference) It is req u ested th a t th e R u ssian s id e rsquos resp o n se m ay kindly be in tim ated^atjan early da te ^ ^

rajj-vMaaS

Y ours sincerely

(Dr J Bhagwati

X ^h ri D ivyabh M an ch an d a D eputy C hief of M ission E m bassy of Ind ia Moscow

Copy to

AS(PP) JS(CNV)

(Dr J Bhagwati)

No 11 JS (E R S ) 2 0 0 7

Deari

Please refer to AS (PP) an d Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 M arch 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence betw een the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra B osersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E u rasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm w ith the R ussian side w hether they would have any objection to release of correspondence received from them on th is subject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos response m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

S d -(Dr J Bhagwati)

Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) A^(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

S

20 April 2007h

( Dr J Bhagwati )

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tel 7837535 Fax 9752337

NoSA8907 17 May 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 2YuA dated 8 January 1992 and subsequent correspondence (viz No 73YuA dated 27 October 1995 N 547 dated 20 March 1997 19073DA dated 20 March 2003 and 59542DA dated 6 October 2004) including a letter from Ambassador Yu Kutov regarding information about the reported stay of a former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

An Indian citizen had filed a petition under the Right to Information Act 2005 for obtaining all informationdocuments relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The information obtained from the Russian side was denied to the appellant at that time

^Thereupon an appeal was filed by the concerned citizen and currently the V Government of India is considering whether the informationdocuments

-t obtained from Russian authorities on the subject could be released toappellant Views of the Russian side whether the information provided by

( them could be released to the appellant would be essential for the^ f Government of India to take decision on the matter

The esteemed Ministryrsquos views on the matter may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the

s of its highest consideration

f V Ministry of Foreign AffairsL o f the Russian Federation

cr - A sia Department) ^V ^^(V io sco w

A V

Ministry o f External Affairs South Block N ew D elh i-110 011 Mail jsers m eagovinMail jsers m ea Phone 23017411

i]r

Phone 23017411 PhFax 23011922

S e c r e t

No H JS (E R S )2007

Dear L b ]

Please refer to AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence between the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra Bosersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E urasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm with the R ussian side w hether they would have

amp any objection to release of correspondence received from them on thissubject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos re~sponse m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

^Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) AS(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

( Dr J B hagw ati)

V

V No^5AS(PP)2007

Right to Inform atioi Timt

Most Im

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)rsquos Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Inform ation Act 2 005

Shri Anuj Dhar had initially requested this Ministry last year requesting form information on the following two points-

1 Certified copies of complete correspondence the MEA has had with the Governments o f the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

2 Confirmation on whether the Ministry had sought information from the erstwhile Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation by merely issuing Notes Verbale or some serious efforts were ever made at a higher (say Ministerial) level to uncover the mystery surrounding the fate of Netaji

filed an appeal with the CIC The appeal was considered by the CIC on 23 March 2007 The CIC has directed that the Ministry should have the documents under reference carefully examined by a panel of experts to determine whether the information sought by the applicant can be given or not

While we have not received the final decision of the Commission this would a time-bound exercise and it is therefore requested that JS(CNV) may please make the records available to me for a preliminary examination so that expeditious action can be taken on receipt of the formal decision of the CIC

The information was denied to Shri Dhar by this Ministry whereupon he

(AjAdditional Secretary (PP) fit

Appellate Authority (RTI) 28 March 2007

JS(CNV)

Copy forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with the request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me as soon as possible

o f iHC-ifl no 3 20 HOO bull rsquobull bullP

vrrwr 5fn tnrvtEMBASSY OF IN D IA

6-0 Ulitsa Obukha M O S C O W

Tel No 237-0820

t t v

Septe mb er 16 1991

The Embassy of I nd ia presents its compli me nt s to the Mi nistry of For ei gn Aff ai rs of the USSR and has the ho nour to enclose her ew it h a c o ll ect io n opound documents or NetSji S ub ha sh C h an d ra B o s e at one time a President of the Ind-ior N at io na l C o n g r e s s and a leading fig are in ths Indian freedom movement received from H r _ Ch it ts S s s u M em b er of P ar l ia m en t and Gene ra l Secretary All r d i a Forward Bloc a group founded by Meta ji Subhas-i X h 3 n d r a Fgt = $ e ord at present a c o n s t it ue n t of tne Left Front G o v e r n shyment in the Indian state of West Bengal

2 In these d o c u me n ts there are su ggestions quotingthe then Soviet A m b a s s a d o r in Kabul and the Soviet Vice Consu l in T e h er an to the effect that Netaji Subhash Chandra

itighr have found his way to the Soviet Union after the alleged ae ro p la n e cr as h in August 1 9 A 5 As recently as March 5 I990 The H i n d u s t a n Time an Indian daili n e w s p a p e r quoted a scholar of the Soviet Institute if Or ie nt al S t ud ie s to the effect t h a t there are t c S o v i e t sc ho la rs who have applied to tne Covernen-c of the US Sr for pe rm is si on to e xa min e cla ss if ie d documents

3- In the light of the current policy on Soviet nationala r ch i ve s the Embassy of India would appreciate if an rate- rial that sheds light on the fate of Netaji Subhush Chandra Dose in the a rch iv es of S ov ie t or ga nisations including s ec u r i t y o r g a ni s at io ns is made available to the Embassy of India

A The Ere bossy of India n vails itself of this opportunityto renew to the M i n s t r y of Foreign Affairs of the USSH the a s s u r a n c e s of its highest c on si deration

Seal

M i n i t r y of Foreign Af fa ir s Covernment of USSRM o s c o bullgt

E rc 1 a s a b o v e

if nI

(rough translation)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation

No ZAuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that according to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no information whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow8 January 1992

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

trrlter r_ EM B A S S Y OF INDIA6-8 Ulitsa Voiomsovo Polyo

N o S A 8 3 9 5 July 27 19SS

The Embassy of India presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to correspondence resting with their Note Verbaie No 2YuA of S January 15S2 regarding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Enclosed is a booklet which contends that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may have come to the former Soviet Union in 1945 There has teen further speculation in this context reportedly on the basis of archival materials In view of this it would be highly appreciated if ail materials available on the subject couid be examined for a final determination on whether or not Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose entered or stayed anywhere in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 or subsequently

The Embassy of India avails itself of tnis opportunity to renew to tne Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration - bull -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (South Asia Department) Moscow

v

(Unofficial T ransl

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

73YuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central Archival Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents^of Modern History no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to

renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 1995

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1995 Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years W e have now been informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory otthe former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador Kotov forwarding the note categorically asserts th a t we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soilrdquo and that extensive research can hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovrsquos letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

2 I would like you to please bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

(Pripuran Singh Haer)

0 M0 5 F f l I I 0 bull rsquo 1 ~ 6 C

Pripuran Singh Haer Charge dAffaires

MOSPOL125190

r o h o11 bull i bull r o j o o r i

trn s laquoPi j a r m rrcsl p - igt llsquo7EM B A S S Y OF INDIA

6-8 U l iu a Votomsovo PolyM O S C O W

Tel No S i 7-CS20 Tolex 413409 INDEMSU

Tgts Fa bullbull-9 3

October 31 19S5

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1SSS Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years We have now bee informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1595 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is nc

s informatcn whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory cf the formeSoviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador

ji Kotov forwarcing the note categorically asserts that we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soil and that extensive research can

1 hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovsbullvu letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

v jf2 1 wouid iike you to piesse bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

kt (Pripuran Singh Haer)

Shri R L Narayan Joint Secretary (EE) Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi

diams i iL Mr Ror on Sen Arnba ssador of Ind ia to th e R u s s i a n F e d e r a t i o n

D e a r R o n e n

E n c lo sed Y o u will find o u r no te c o n c e rn in g S u b h a sh C h a n d ra

Bose D o bel ieve th a t we have t r ied o u r best to discover any relevant

I actsU n f o r tu n a te ly I a m p ro fo u n d ly d is t ressed being u n a b le to provide

t any posi t ive in f o r m a t i o n on th e subject o f no t th e least im p o r t a n c e for

the In d ia n public Alas by now it a p p e a r s that we can be su re tha t Netnj has neve r set foot o n th e R u ss ia n soil Extensive re sea rch car r ied out

u p o n th e latest r eq u es t o f Y o u r s can h a rd ly leave any d oub ts to lhgt

effect

S in ce re ly Y ours Y a K o t o v

w

r lt W 3 lt tfr s t pound 2 3 i

Intervention by H EM rAnatoly MDrukov Ambassador of Russia in India during the

eress-conference on the 210296 in le Foreign Correspondentsrsquo Club__________

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is

deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people

who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73Y uA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

inform ation on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

m uch em otion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

j i

gt J -

i

Directorate of Foreign Relatilt Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

March 20 1997

N 547

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to you and has the honour to forward herewith the letter of Mr L Joychandra Singh addressed a second time to the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

In reply to this repeated query the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence (CAMD) of the Russian Federation has pointed out that there is no other data relating to the fate of Subhash Chandra Bose besides the information conveyed to you vide letter No1843 dated October 28 1996 (enclosing No222672 of the CAMD)

We request you to kindly inform Mr L Joychandra Singh of the above reply from the Archives

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Military Wing of the Embassy of India in Moscow the assurances of its highest consideration

Military Attache in the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation

Brig D Singh

No 19073DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federations presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassyrsquos note verbale No SA 1003 dated 8 January 2003 and the Ministryrsquos note verbale No 1423DA dated 28 June 2001 has the honour to inform you about the following

A search was conducted for documents related to the fate ofSCBose in the following federal archives

Russian State Military Archive (RGVA) Russian State Archives of Socio-Political History (RGASPI) State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) and Russian State Historical Archives of the Far East (RGIA DV) The information requested for was not found in the GARF RGVA and RGIA DV archives

Copies of the documents found in the RGIA DV Archives were sent to the Embassy in 2001

No information has been found about the fate of SC Bose in the Central Archives of the Russian FSB the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in the m anuscript section of the Russian State Library or in the Russian State Archives of Photographic Documents (RGAKFD)

We would also like to inform th a t the personnel archives of Eva Yakovlevna Lyusternik were sent after her death to the Russian Academy of Sciencesrsquo Institute of Oriental Studies and the open part of the archival m aterial on IV Stalin was sent from the archives of the President of the Russian Federation to RGASPI

The Ministry would like to use th is opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

M inistry of Foreign AtlairsR u ssian F ed eratio n

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Moscow 20th March 2003

^ M la iet ja Affaireo f the deration

No S 9 5 4 2 A A

The M inistry of Foreign Affairs of th e R ussian Federation p resen ts its com plim ents to the Em bassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and in continuation of Note No 55382XA dated Septem ber 14 2004 h as the honour to intorm th a t Information sought on the fate of Ind iarsquos p rom inent political figure Netaji S u b h ash C hand ra Bose was no t found in the C entral Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia

The M inistry avails of th is opportun ity to renew to the Em bassy the a ssu ra n ce s of its highest consideration

M oscow October 6 2004

E m bassy o f th e Republic o f India M oscow -

Ministry o f External Affairs CNV Division

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Information Act

Reference note at FR from AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) regarding CICrsquos directives on appeal by Shri Anuj Dhar who was denied information requested concerning disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his whereabouts in the former USSRRussia i f any

2 Vide letter o f 020806 at FA Shri Dhar had requested for (a) certified copies o f complete correspondence between MEA and the Government o f USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referring to Our Embassyrsquos intervention with the Russian MFA in 199219951997 2001 and 2003 and (b) whether MEA sought information from the Russian side in a routine manner through issue o f Note Verbales or some serious efforts were made at a higher level

3 Vide issue o f 250806 at FB CPIO on the basis o f inputs from CNV Division replied to Shri Dhar conveying that (a) requests to the Governments o f the USSRRussia were made through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels and (b) requisite copies o f the correspondence sought cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under provisions of Clause 8(l)(a)amp (f) o f the RTI Act Under Clause8(1)(a) there is noobligation to give any citizen information disclosure o f which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity o f India the security strategic scientific or economic interests o f the State relation with foreign State or lead to incitement o f an offence Under Clause 8(l)(f) there is no obligation to give ldquoinformation received in confidence from foreign governmentrdquo

4 Shri Dhar vide his letter o f 230906 at FC had appealed to then Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) on the ground that the reasons given by the CPIO denying him the information aslced for are untenable With regard to the intervention with the USSRRussian Government for information on Netajirsquos disappearance Shri Dhar seeks to know if this matter was pursued at a higher (say Ministerial) level Regarding Ministryrsquos resort to Clause 8(l)(a) Shri Dhar wrote that this is not intelligible to him as to how correspondence dealing with the disappearance o f a national hero can be threat to India or its relations with USSR which does not exist and has been disowned by the successor state o f the Russian Federation He has also questioned as to why information received in this matter o f national importance should be confidential In response to the appeal C lW Division has conveyed to JS (Inf) and CPIO vide its note dated 011106 at FD that (a) the information sought for by Shri Dhar ie whether serious efforts were made with interventions at higher levels with the Russian Government to seek information on Netajirsquos disappearance does not constitute ldquoinformationrdquo as defined in the RTI Act and the question is anecdotal in nature and (b) that copies o f correspondence cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under the relevant clauses in the RTI Act Though there is no evidence on this NGO file it is our understanding that these views were conveyed by the Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) to Shri Dhar Presumably what was meant was that Shri Dhar was seeking the opinion o f the MEA as to whether the efforts made by GOl in its interventions with the Russian Government were serious or just routinely taken up Since such lsquoopinionrsquo is not covered under Clause 1(0 hence it cannot be construed as lsquoinformationrsquo

6 The undersigned has gone through all available records in NGO Section pertaining to correspondence with the USSRRussian Governments seeking information on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose In particular attention is drawn to a note recorded in December 1998 at FE on linked file giving the chronological background to suchcorrespondence starting from May 1990 in the Note for Supplementaries prepared for Rajya Sabha Starred Question No 174 for answer on 101298 dealing with the Asiatic Societyrsquos request for access to Russian archives It may also be seen from the attached

A

Anticipated Questions and their Answersrsquo that Ministry was willing to disclose the contents o f the Note Verbale received from the Russian Government in response to IUdiaji demarches regarding information on Netaji on the floor o f the House There is no i available on NGO files to indicate if such information was in fact disclosed on the flooi o f the House when the PQ was answered However the point to note is Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose such information As per the last line under Clause 8 o f RTI Act ldquoinformation which cannot be denied to the Parliament or the State legislature shall not be denied to any personrdquo Therefore if such information has already been disclosed on the floor o f the House or even by virtue o f Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose we may no deny such information requested by Shri Anuj Dhar

7 Chronologically the correspondence copies available on file and linked files and sought by Shri Dhar are listed as under

(a) NV No Nil dated 160991 from EI Moscow to MFA USSR Government at FF on linked file

(b) NV No 2YuA dated 080192 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at -FGv -- bullbullbulllaquo mdash bullbull

(c) NV No SA8395 dated 270795 from EI M oscow to MFA Russian Government at FH on linked file

(d) NV No 73YuA dated 271095 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at FI

(e) DO letter from CDA EI Moscow enclosing Amb Kotovrsquos letter to Amb Ronen Sen at FJ on linked file

(f) Record o f intervention by Russian Ambassador to India at a press IK lrsquo ltonffirericebnrsquo2i0296 at FK on linked file

(g) NV No N547 dated 200397 from Russian Defence Ministry to EI Moscow at FL

(h) NV No 19073DA dated 200303 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow aft FM and

(k) NV No 59542DA dated 061004 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow 4 FN

8 A perusaldf the available correspondence shows the continuous effort made by the Ministry through the Embassy in Moscow to obtain information available i f any on Netajirsquos whereabouts in Russia It also shows that such effort was made at very high levels even through correspondence between the Indian Ambassador to Russia and his Russian counterpart One such correspondence is even addressed to a private Indian citizen in Manipur and the same has been passed on to him by our Embassy in Moscow There is no evidence to suggest that such correspondence was received in confidence an not to be disclosed However it would be beyond the competence o f CNV Division to make such a judgment merely on perusal ofthe filesrecords available in NGO SectionAS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) may like to consult Eurasia Division and Embassy o f India Moscow on whether disclosure o f such information under RTI woulc be detrimental to bilateral relations

J)(Debnath ShaiO

X At Wi bull JS (CNV)09 April 20f)7

AS fPP) amp Aeffellate Authority TRTI)

fet L 0 k f t t U a k k f c v J y -TI 4 i t i

cn v w et oA 2 4 JhV oW ei w ttC a

i CIC c h t tfcVe (jEuTA4-IAJ jrteaitcrj At-jKCdh-al tjyin cm Mm+cpL

I M i i ) J L j i t

j J 7

i

-r-

31

FAXTo AS(PP)

MEA New Delhi Fax 91-11-23013387

From First Secretary (Pol) Indembassy Moscow

Rpti) DS[Russia] MEA

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tele 007-495-9163544 Fax 007- 495-9163632

With reference to DS[Russia]rsquos message regarding AS[PP]rsquos note to JS[CNV] No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 9 April 2007 on an appeal filed under No RTI act 2005

2 Please find faxed herewith currently available few copies of this Missionrsquos correspondence with local authorities on the subject We will send more m aterial if available by the earliest diplomatic bag

U ) U v tcrv-4 j

(Dr Suresh Babu) FS [Pol]

13042007

A

- P O C C H H C K A fl A K M E M H H HAYK ^

H H C T H T Y T B O C T O K O B E ^ E H H J I

___________ JV2 ____________________

H a JVs_____________________________ T To 1Justice Mukherji

Commission o f Inquiry M irza Ghalib Street

Kolkata

Dear Sir

This is to inform you that as per your request we have checked the Private

Archive o f Prof EYaLustemic in the Indian Center o f the Institute of Oriental

Studies Russian Academy o f Sciences Moscow

We regret to inform you that there is no document on Subash Chandra Bose

With sincere regards

(Shaumian TLHead the Indian Center o f the Institute o f Oriental Studies

Russian Academy o f SciencesM oscow)

26092005

l0303l(Plttgt CHO 103753 (MeacflyHapoflHbiH) MocKBa T C n yji PoxcnecTBeHKa12 Ten (095)921-1884 (095)925-6461 Oaicc (095)975-2396 E-mail ivran orcru

In contrast to Indian National Congress Bose and his activists basically counted on armed struggle and open cooperation against enemies of England - Germany Italy and Japan Bose dreamed about freedom for India through crushing defeat of Britain Bose could not do it himself so he linked activity of his troops and groups with assault of Germany on India from the West and Japan from the East The aim of Bose was to expedite the assault in all possible ways and reinforce it from inside by subversive Anti-English activity in India and if possible to attached nature o f mass anti-British revolt However at that time not all people considered his activity as ldquosubversiverdquo Fascism was not so popular in India at that time but racism and violence were condemned everywhere A lot of Indians were satisfied with telling blows delivered hateful center o f empire by axis countries in particular against the background of British demonstrative nonshyrecognition of Indian rights for self-determination J Nehru wrote about this period How can we conciliate two basic directions of our policy - opposition to British imperialism and opposition to fascism and nazism How can we adjust our nationalism with our internationalism That was a difficult question for us taking in view current situation However this question would not be difficult if the British Government take a step to show us its refusal from imperialistic policy in India and rely on peoplersquos good willrdquo

But it did not happen Indian public reacted accordingly Describing the psychological atmosphere in the country that time Jawaharlal Nehru wrote ldquoPeople were pushing out not by patriotic feelings but by their willingness to save themselves from an offense and the worstrdquo

So S Bose did not have any mass support but he could use the mood of majority for his own purposes Nehru wrote about it the following ldquoProtection of the imperialism which we were fighting with for such a long time seemed to be non-sense and impossible to usrdquo

Unofficial translation

ldquoMatsottardquo is obtaining Soviet visa

Instructions were really complicated It was necessary to send Subhas Chandra Bose to Germany He was wanted by Britain secret service colonial Administration and local police throughout India Bose was staunch and irreconcilable adversary of Great Britain and may be the most dangerous one at that time

Extracts of the book whiten by Yuri L Kuznets ldquoMarauders are quitting the gamerdquo

Published in 1992 by ldquoInterprakstrdquo Moscow

Of course Bose made his main counting on the military defeat of England at the time when Hitlerrsquos Germany had been already at the war with it and Japan was still neutral So Bose was interested in Berlin When Japan occupied Burma and came close to the Indiarsquos borders Bose reoriented to the Far East

In spring 1941 his ways crossed with Bhagat Ram Bose decided to shift from India to Berlin because some of his friends and relatives were arrested in India and he by himself also was wanted He needed Hitlerrsquos support including financial one Ports we under police control and departure trough one of them was very risky Bose took another way and in February came to Kabul He was accompanied by Bhagat Ram who was not a member o f Bosersquos organization he did not like axis-members but he was posted as Bosersquos escort by his party ldquoKirti Kissanrdquo because o f his knowledge of Phushtun zone which they had to cross as well as Afghanistan and Kabul He also had his own flat in Kabul - the premises which belonged to Ultam Chang and his shop It was supposed that Ram was doing a favour to Bose only due to their common aim - to weak British positions in India at most

Ram fulfilled his task Bose settled down in Kabul and started to make arrangements for the next step of his journey During war time he could come to Germany only through the territory o f USSR For this purpose he required a passport which he did not have German Embassy applied to the Italian one Italians considered the German request positively Bose got passport in respect of Italian citizen Mazzotta Holding this passport Bose applied to the Soviet Embassy for transit visa crossed the USSR territory and came to Berlin

Mazzotta disappeared But German Consulate General drew attention to Bhagat Ram who was introduced as a powerful Indian activist in Afghanistan and India with anti-British orientation It was o f interest and he was suggested to work for the German Secret Service German resident was satisfied with Ramrsquos past his contacts and mood especially because he was concerned about difficulties o f the anti-British activities in India shortage of agents and information as well as conspiratorial bases in India Bosersquos recommendation also helped Ram was thinking it would be important for me and my party to establish contacts with enemies of their enemies

Offer on co-operation was accepted Ram left German Consulate having 100 000 Indian Rupees in his pocket 12 guns and ballets Money and arms were required by the people whom Ram would be recruiting in India Since May 1941 after the German finished their checking Ram had become the main agent o f the German Secret Service in India

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337 Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 9 4 0 5 September 9 2005

The Em bassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Em bassyrsquos earlier Note Verbales on the visit of a delegation of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 20-30 2005 in connection with enquiring into the facts and circum stances relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

It is confirmed th a t all logistical arrangem ents for official JMCI delegation and the accompanying eight deponents would be facilitated by the Embassy with no financial implications to the Russian side

It would be appreciated if the decision of the esteemed Ministry on visas for the visiting team may kindly be expedited

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

Copy to Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

No 5830 2DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Notes No SA16605 of 08 August No SA17405 of 18 August and No SA17905 and No SA18005 of 26 August this year has the honour to inform as follows

Justice Mukherjee as a Head of the Delegation set up by the Government of India to inquire about life of Subhas Chandra Bose pertaining to the period from 1945 onwards as well as the accompanying delegation will be given access to the documents kept in the Reading Halls o f the Federal and State Archives of the Subjects o f the Russian Federation in Moscow St Petersburg Irkutsk and Omsk through the Federal Archives Agency of the Russian Federation All expenditures related to the arrangements for their visit air-passage accommodation transport and medical insurance etc should be borne by the Indian side The Federal Archive Agency requests to inform Mr MK Mukherjee of the addresses of Federal Archives given below

1 Russian State Archive for social and political history - 103 821 Moscow 15 B Dmitrovka Str Director - Kiril M Anderson Tel 229 97 26

2 Russian State Archive of Audio- Photo Documents - 143 400 Moscow Region Krasnogorsk 1 Rechnaya Str Director - Lyudmila P Zapryagaeva Tel 562 14 64 563 08 45

3 Russian State Archive for Phono Documents 105 005 Moscow3 2ya Baumanskaya Str Director - Vladimir A Kolyada Tel 261 13 00

4 Russian State Naval Archive - 191 186 St Perersburg 36 Millionnaya Str Director - Vladimir S Sobolev Tel (812)312 11 37

The Federal Archives Agency recommends the following for work with the documents o f

- Central State Archive of St Petersburg - to apply to St Petersburg Archives Committee (193 015 St Petersburg 39 Tavricheskaya Str) Chairman of the Committee - Mr Anatoly D Yashkov Tel (812) 271 44 55)

- State Archive of Omsk Region - to apply to the Archive Department of the Ministry for State and Legal Development o f Omsk Region Head - Ms Galina Yu Borodina (644 099 Omsk 1 Tretyakova Str) Tel (381-2) 25 57 26

- State Archive of Irkutsk Region - to apply to Archive Department of Irkutsk Region Head - Ms Nadezhda K Shestakova (664003 Irkutsk 36a Gorkogo Str) Tel (395-2) 24 06 42

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow ldquo 15 ldquo September 2005

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA Moscow

slvNon-paper

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P o c c h h Ndeg 2 5 5 7 2 amp A o t 1 8 0 7 2 0 0 5 r )

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poccHftcKHe KOMneTeHTHBie opraHbi npoBenH H C H epnbm aiom H e H3bicKaHHfl

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KOTOpbix 6bm BbWBJieH p a fl AOKyMeHTOB b KOTopbix ynoMHHajiocb h m s C H E o ca

Bee o h h b KonHH nepe^aHbi h h ^ h h c k o h CTopoHe (b H a crao c T H HaHjeHHbiH b

2004 r b apxHBax OCE 46-th CTpaHHHHbiH OKyMeHT)

B 3aK pbiTbix apxH BH bix (J)OHflax HaxoA5imHxcfl Ha TeppHTOpHH P o cchh ck o h

O e^epaHH H KaKHX-jinSo CBe^eHHH 0 CHEoce He o6HapygtKeHo

9

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow___ Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337

Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 8 0 0 5 August 26 2005

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Embassyrsquos earlier communications regarding the visit of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 18-30 2005

By way of background information given below are the relevant details of JMCI -

(i) The Government o f India Ministry o f Home Affairs New Delhi vide a gazette notification No S 0339(B) dated 14th May 1999 appointed Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry for Inquiry into the Alleged Disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under Section (3) o f the Commission o f Inquiry Act o f 1952 (60 o f 1952)

(ii) As per this notification Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry shall inquire into all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945 and subsequent developments connected therewith including-(a) whether Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is dead or alive(b) I f he is dead whether he died in the plane crash as alleged(c) Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are the ashes o f Netaji(d) Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and if

so when and how(e) I f he is alive in respect o f his whereabouts

(iii) The Commission shall also examine the manner in which the exercise o f Scrutiny o f Publications touching upon the question o f death or otherwise on Netaji can be undertaken by the Central Government in the circumstances

(iv) Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry is funded by the Ministry o f Home Affairs Government o f India and is an official Commission

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

Copy to M inistry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV t J 001

A MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS (PP) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of material immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

Deputy Secretary (Russia) Ph 23015199 Intercom 2285

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

Dr T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

T c J i h irvMUt(SOMNATH GHOSH)

Deputy Secretary Ministry of External Affairs

New Deifci

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 1^1002

( t

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No R T I-2 pound _ A S (P P )2 0 0 7

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance_of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anufpfiar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) 6t

Appellate Authority (RTI) 09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

g^py forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - H W U(Ajal Choudhfy)

1 o 7

0 v

j N lsquoaA gt ^ 1 ^

04 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV

MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS-iEP-) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of matenal immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

D tpu ij u su ta i J iu J o ia JPh 23015199 Intercom 228S

D r T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

h i 7-

_100pound 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 002

Most Immediate

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No RTI-HiLAS(PP) 2007

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed bv Shri Anul Dhar under RTI 200S - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anurbhar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC ------ = = = = mdash

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) amp

Appellate Authority (RTI)09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

JZopy forwarded to JS(Eurasla) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - t t U X f (Ajal ChoudMfy)

k

Buff 43402

Square C u t Raider A4 434Made in London

Blue 43403 Green 43404 Grey 43405 Orange 43406 Pink 43407 Red 43408 Yellow 43409 Mauve 43414

Page 3: V ' . . . Disci* wi/K 0*s*/ - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ...

For official use onlye-gram

No MOSPOL125190 September 12 2014

From Indembassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) from SS(Pol)

Please refer to your mail dated Sept 3 2014 seeking inputs on Part 2 o f the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose

2 Copies o f the following relevant correspondence received from Russian side are attached-

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Amb Kotov to Amb Ronen Sen

3 It may be seen from the above papers that there is no information to suggest the stay o f Netaji Subash Chandra Bose in Russia or then USSR in the particular ja il mentioned in the applicantrsquos query

4 This issues with the approval o f DCM

W ith Regards

(Uopai Kam) Second Secretary (Pol)

One message^ To Oir(CHS) ltgt MCA ltd(fets()meagovinraquo

Daic 09121-1 12 45 PMfrom SandMp Aryi laquoacmmoscowmraquoa gov

Reply To dcm moscowmea gov in

MOS1209201 lt1-269 egm (Ik8) S C Bose pdf (1 2MB)

Kindly soc attachment and acknowledge rcccipt

Regards

O o Deputy Chief ol Mission Embassy oi India Moscow

(rough translation)

M in is try of Foreign A ffa irs R ussian Federation

No 2 YuA lsquo rsquo

The M in istry of Foreign A ffa irs of the Russian Federation presents its com plim ents to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the E m bassy s Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that accord ing to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no in form ation whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The M inistry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscov^ 8 January 1992

E m bassy of the R epublic o f India M oscow

laquo

M inistry of Foreign A ffairs of the Russian Federation

73Yu A

The M inistry of Foreign A ffa irs of the Russian Federation presents its com plim ents to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central A rchiva l Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents_of Modern H istory no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhush C handra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The M inistry of Foreign A ffa irs avails itself of this opportunity tc renew to the Em bassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 199

Em bassy of the Republic of India M oscow

A m b a s s a d o r o f l i id ia to the Russian Federation

D e a r R o n e n _

E n c l o s e d Y o u will f ind o u r n o t e c o n c e r n i n g S u b h a s h C h a n d r a

Do^e D o be l i e v e t h a t we ha ve t r i ed o u r bes t to d i s c ov e r any re le vant

a n y pos i t ive i n f o r m a t i o n on t h e sub j ec t of n o t t h e l east i m p o r t a n c e for

ha s n e v e r set foot o n t h e R u s s i a n soi l Ex t e n s i v e r e s e a r c h c a r r i ed out

u p o n t h e l ates t r e q u e s t o f Y o u r s c a n h a r d l y leave a ny d o u b t s to thlb

t h e I n d i a n pub l i c Al as by now it a p p e a r s tha t we c a n be s u r e t ha t NVtaj

S i n c e r e l y Y o u r s

Yu Kot ov

3 7 S ^

Intervention by HEMrAnatoly MDrukov mbassador of

Bress-conferenceie Foreign Correspondents Clu b

_______ b y ________ Ambassador of Russia in India during the gtress-conference on the 210296 in

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

information on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

much emotion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

copyEmbassy of India

Moscow

Deputy Secretary(Eurasia) has requested this Missionrsquos input on Part 2 of the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP seeking information under RTI Act 2005 whether Netaji Subash Chandra Bose is still alive in Okotoks Jail in Siberia and if notldquosought the information about the prisoner who has been lodged in Okotoks Jailrdquo

2 As per records available in the Mission Russian Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 informed that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose having stayed on the territory o f the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years

3 Copies o f following relevant correspondence received from Russian side are placed below -

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Ambassador YuKotov to Ambassador Ronen Sen (with enclosure)

4 DFA is placed below for approval pi

SS(Pol)892014

Counselfor(Pol)

I

E-MailFax

No MOSPOL125190 September 9 2014

From Indem bassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) from SS(Pol)

Please refer to your mail dated Sept 3 2014 seeking inputs on Part 2 o f the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose

2 Copies o f the follow ing relevant correspondence received from Russian side are attached-

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Amb Kotov to Amb Ronen Sen

3 It may be seen from the above papers that there is no r ^

particular ja il m entioned in the applicantrsquos query Henee - it would b e -pppmpriatR_to_rep ly -to -tho applicant that- nomdashstteh-- informationmdashismdash-available with -asv

a v a i l a b l e mdash ^ - ^ t h e stay o f Netaji Subash Chandra

W ith Regards

(Gopal Ram) Second Secretary (Pol)

C o u n s e llo r (P o litic a l)

Pag o f 1

I f I

From d irers ltd ire rs m eagovingtltm inpo l ind ianem bassyrugt

~ent W ednesday S ep tem ber 03 2014 1113 AM Attach IM G pdf Subject S P A M ldquo RTI MOST IMMEDIATE

For Counsellor (Pol)

Enclosed please find an RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate seeking information on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

It is requested that Missions inputs on Part 2 of the question raised in the RTI application may be sent to us at an early date

Regards

Pankaj Saxena Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) Ministry of External Affairs RoomNo235G South Block New Delhi-110 011 Tel 2301 4600

ltK

4 ^ A ^ c A U - f o -

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932014

A l fr

p o litic a l d ip lo m a tic s o lu tio n H o w e v e r w e re fo c u s e d m ilita r i ly o n s t re n g th e n in g d e fe n s e o f o u r a llie s T h a t s o u r c o re ta s k R a s m u s s e n s a id b e fo re a m e e tin g w ith E U d e fe n s e m in is te rs

W e re r ig h t n o w c o n s id e r in g fu r th e r s te p s to s tre n g th e n o u r c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e A s I in d ic a te d th a t a ls o in c lu d e s w h a t I w o u ld ca ll a p p ro p r ia te d e p lo y m e n ts h e a d d e d c o m m e n tin g on th e c u rre n t a g e n d a

B u t its a b it to o e a r ly to g o in to d e ta ils a s to h o w w e w ill in c o n c re te te rm s s tre n g th e n c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e B u t no o n e s h o u ld d o u b t o u r d e te rm in a t io n to e n s u re in te n s iv e d e fe n s e a n d p ro te c tio n o f a ll a ll ie s R a s m u s s e n s ta te d w ith n o fu r th e r d e ta ils o n th e a ll ia n c e s p ro s p e c t iv e s tra te g y

S p e a k in g a t p r io r m e e tin g s th e S e c re ta ry -G e n e ra l a ls o v o ic e d c o n c e rn s a b o u t c la s h e s in e a s te rn U k ra in e b e tw e e n p ro - fe d e ra liz a t io n p ro te s te rs a n d fo rc e s lo y a l to th e g o v e rn m e n t c a llin g on R u s s ia to d e -e s c a la te th e c r is is a n d pu ll b a c k its la rg e n u m b e r o f tro o p s in c lu d in g s p e c ia l fo rc e s fro m th e a re a a ro u n d U k ra in e s b o rd e r w h ile w a rn in g th a t a n y fu r th e r R u s s ia n m ilita ry in te r fe re n c e w o u ld o n ly d e e p e n R u s s ia s in te rn a t io n a l is o la t io n

R u s s ia n F o re ig n M in is te r S e rg e i L a v ro v re je c te d W e s te rn a c c u s a t io n s th a t R u s s ia w a s b e h in d th e c r is is in s o u th e a s te rn U k ra in e s a y in g n e ith e r R u s s ia n s e c u r ity a g e n ts n o r s o ld ie rs h a v e b e e n d e p lo y e d to th e re g io n

T h e M in is try s a id th a t N A T O is a tte m p tin g to u s e th e U k ra in ia n c r is is a s an im a g in a ry th re a t to u n ite th e a ll ia n c e s m e m b e rs p u s h in g fo r R u s s ia s is o la t io n

Updated headline quote in paras 2 3

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W orld s Most B eautifu l Things

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M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Tel 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u s rs m e a g o v in

WI (AD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u F S (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P lease find a ttached a self-exp lanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f Subhash C hand ra Bose u n d er the R T I Act for kind necessary action a t your end

ahul S hrivastava) U n d er S ecre tary 7 Janu ary 2 0 0 8

No RTI5517606Ministry of External Affairs

( RTI Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquos note WI (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content of the note was conveyed to the Information Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government of

j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russian 1 Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the National

Achieve o f India

We have received a communication to this effect from the CIC which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(AK Nag) JS (Wei amp Inf) amp CPIO

December 18 2007

In fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r

gt O P KEJARIWAL fe laquoft-110067 B lo ck-IV 5 th F lo o r O ld JN U C a m p u s

N e w D e lh i-1 1 0 0 6 7 T ele fax 26717351

C entra In fo rm a t io n C o m m is s io n

November 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T I5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian Governm ent for disclosure of the N eta ji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar We have now received a le tte r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N eta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portan t from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere ind iv idualrsquos in terest He suggests and reuests therefore that this m ateria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India from abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m a tte r t h erefore is pursued w ith the I Russian G overnm ent so th a t w hatever m ateriah s o f va lue a nd in te rest to India m ay com e to us especially in the present case

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) Ministry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

Yours sincerely

(OP Kejariw al)

To 26 November 2007

Dr OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner Central Information Commission Old JNU Campus New Delhi - 110067

Subject R eq u est to Ind ian Errbassy to procure p ost-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian arch ives

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter NoR TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2007 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision N oC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made v this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the

Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Embassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

i

2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing ruies or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at times provide information A request from the Embassy of India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

^ would not yvant this exercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant records are identified the Embassy may procure them for the National Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India

since they are likely to provide a never befc 3 insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world w a r for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n L ____2 63 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mayzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez iden ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)[A rch ive o f the P res id en t o f the R uss ian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lsk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606-13-33 Fax (495 ) 606 -19 -66

2 Is to riko-dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del R F (ID D M ID) [H is torico-D ocum enta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in is try o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o lenska ia -S enna ia p loshchad 3234 Tel (495) 244-32-19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i po litik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (A V P RF)[A rch ive o f Fore ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241-04-80

4 Tsen tra lrsquonyi a rkh iv M in is te rs tva o bo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f D e fense]142100 M oskovskaia ob las t P odo lrsquosk ul K irova 74 Tel (495) 715-90-05 (0967) 54-00-03

5 G lavno je R azvedyva te lno je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilitary In te lligence D irecto ra te arch ives Address not know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 TsentraPnyi a rkh iv Federa lno i s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (TsA FSB R ossjj)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F edera l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzhby vneshne i razvedki RF (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)[O perational A rch ive o f the Fore ign In te lligence S erv ice ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 5110Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 245 -33 -68 Fax (495) 247-05-29

8 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (TsA M VD R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In te rna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovocherem ushk inska ia 67 (Archive) ul Zoi i A leksa nd ra K osm odem iansk ikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-90

2

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7 Jan 2008 1626

NameFax Number

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C

L i

DIRlt ERS)MEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1626 P0105

M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Te l 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u srs m eag o v in

WI(AJD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u FS (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P le as e find a ttached a self-explanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f S ubhash C hand ra Bose under the RT Act for kind necessary action a t your end

lahul S h rivastava) U n d e rs e c re ta ry 7 J a n u a ry 2 0 0 8

DIR(ERS gtMEflRNQ235C 7 Jan 2008 16=26 P020b

No RTI5517606 Ministry of External Affairs

( RTX Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquo s note W I (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser o f complete correspondence

with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash | Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content o f the note was conveyed to the Information j Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant bull The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government o f j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russiani Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the Nationali bull

W e have received a communication to this effect from the CIC

i s J

Achieve o f India

which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(A K Nag) JS (W ei amp Inf) amp CPIO1

December 18 2007

DIR( ERS gtMEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1627 P 0305

gt O P KEJARIWALSTTJprf

-MiX TR 4 58 cfcr TPTT

fcc=6ft11 0 0 6 7 Biock-lV 5th Floor Oki JNU Campus

I n fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r New Delhi-110067 Telefax 26717351

Centra Information Commission

Novem ber 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T 5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian G overnm ent fo r disclosure of the N etaji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar W e have now received a le t te r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N e ta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portant from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere individuals in terest He suggests and reuests th ere fo re that this m a te ria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India f rom abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m atte r therefore is pursued w ith the Russian Governm ent so th a t w hatever m ateria l is of va lue and interest to India may come toTis especially in the present case

Yours sincerely

(O P Kejariw al)

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) M inistry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C 7 Jan 2008 16 = 2 P 0405

02 6 N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 7

Dr OP Kejariwal information Com missioner Central Information Commission

+ Old JNU Campus N ew Delhi - 110067

Subject R e q u e s t to Ind ian Em bassy to procure post-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian a rc h ive s

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter N o R TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2 0 07 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTi Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision NoC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

lt think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Em bassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

4 2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing rules or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at tim es provide information A request from the Embassy o f India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

I would not w ant this e xercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant fcS ords s re identified the Em bassym ay procure them fo rtheN atTonal Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India since they are likely to provide a never befc s insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

1

DIR ( ERS) ME ARN0235C7 Jan 2008 16=27

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world war for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n t 2 6 3 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mazzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez idsn ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)Archive o f th e P re s id e n t o f the R ussian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lrsquosk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606 -13 -33 Fax (495) 606-19-66

2 Is to riko -dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del RF (ID D M ID) [H is to rico -D ocum en ta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in istry o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o ie nska ia -S en n a ia p loshchad rsquo 3234 Tel (495) 244 -32 -19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i p o lit ik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (AVP RF)[A rch ive o f Fo re ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241 -04 -80

4 Tsen tra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva obo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f th e M in is try o f D e fense] - bull -142100 M oskovska ia o b la s t P odo lsk ul K irova74 Tel (495 )715-90-05 (0 9 6 7 )5 4 -0 0 -0 3

5 G lavno je R a zve dyva te ln o je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilita ry In te lligence D irectora te a rch ives A ddress no t know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv FederaPnoi s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (T sA FS B R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F e de ra l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzh by vneshne i razvedki R F (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)(O perational A rch ive o f the F o re ign In te lligence Service ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 51 10Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 2 4 5 -33 -6 8 Fax (495) 247-05-29

Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (T sA M VD R ossii)[Central A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In terna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovoche rem ushk inska la 67 (Archive) ul Z o i i A le ksa n d ra K osm odem ianskikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-30

ffs

amp-3gt) i c y v

Embassy of India Moscow(Political Wing) f t

r r v ^Subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with USSRRussia over the

disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 reg

Reference remarks made by the Ambassador on FR a letter from JS (Wei ampInf) addressed to Shri OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner copy endorsed to Min (Pol) on the above subject

Back ground of the case On receipt o f a copy o f AS (PP )rsquo s Note No RTI- 36AS(PP)07 dated 942007 on the above subject Mission vide fax dated 130407 forwarded few copies o f Missionrsquos correspondence with the local authorities on the subject to AS(PP) -------- At F A

Subsequently on receipt o f JS(ERS)rsquo s letter No 1 lJS(ERS)2007 dated 20407 enclosed with A S (PP )rsquo s Note No 30AS(PP)07 amp JS(CNV)rsquo s Note along with copies o f correspondence available in CNV Division on the subject Mission has sent a Note Verbale No SA8907 dated 1752007 to Russian Foreign Ministry requesting for the views o f the Russian side whether the information provided by them could be released to the appellant -------At FB

Documents provided by Russian side and forwarded to the Commission

(i) Documents initially provided by the Russian side attached with Note Verbale No1423 DA dated 28h June 2001 which was forwarded to the Ministry on August

31 2001 may please be seen a t-----FC in the linked file

(ii ) On the basis of an affidavit submitted to the Justice Mukherjee Commission a Note Verbale No SA25904 dated December 22 2004 was sent to the M FA and reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 13142 DA dated 4 March 2005 enclosed with a copy of letter from Mr V Sayadyants to the Soviet Ambassador to Iran Mr IV Sadchikov regarding the political situation in India in 1946 may please be seen a t--------FD in the linked file

Response of the Russian side

( i) A reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 42952 DA dated 2262007 stating therein that ldquo the documents from Russian Archives handed over in June 2001 were for official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up by it for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo This was conveyed to the Ministry vide letter No MOSPOL125190 dated 472007 --------At FE

P2

2

Again on receipt o f a copy o f the decision o f Central Information Commission vide No RTI5517606 dated 22082007 (At FF) Mission took up the matter with M FA vide Note Verbale No SA17307 dated 1892007 for which a reply was received vide No 42952DA dated 11007 reiterating their view that the documents from RussianArchives were submitted exclusively for official use by the GOI including Thiswas conveyed to the Ministry vide E-gram dated 10102007-----At FG

Submitted as desired by Min (Pol) please

2

f^TT FTRTTM IN ISTR Y O F E X TE R N A L A F FA IR S

NEW D ELH I

Dated 2nd November 2007 I gt gt v

gt ldquo $

NoRTI551762006

Shri OP KejariwalInformation Commissioner Central Information Commission Club Building Old JNU Campus New Delhi-110 067 bull

Subject- Disclosure o f complete correspondenc e with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RT[ Act 2005

SirAs per directives o f the Honrsquoble Central Information

Commission contained in Para 13 o f the decisioNoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi seeking certified copies o f the complete correspondence this Ministry had with the Governments of the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

9 ^ 2 Our Embassy in Moscow again approached the Government of Russian Federation to get their consent to the disclosure o f documents under reference but the Government of Russian Federation reiterated that documents were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government o f India for investigation o f Netajee Subhash Chandra Bose disappearance

3 However they state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note o f the Embassy can approach the authorities o f the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy o f India for permission to get to know the M aterials deposited in Federal and State Archives o f the Russian Federation

OV-

g ji)

j d L

Yours faithfully

(AK Nag) Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer

_ f

- i V lt L

Copy for information forwarded to-

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110 018

2 Director(ERS) Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi with reference to his Note NoW l(AD)5511007 dated 25102007

Minister (Pol) Embassy o f India Moscow

Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp Central Public Information Officer

N o W l(A D ) 5 5 1 1 0 0 7 M inistry o f External A ffa irs

(ERS D ivision)

W ith re ference your N ote No R T I5 5 1 7 6 0 6 dated 2 2 8 2 0 0 7 to JS (E R S ) regarding d isclosure o f com plete correspondence w ith the USSRRussia o v e r th e d is a p p e a ra n c e o N e ta ji S u b h a s h C h a n d ra B o s g u n d e r R T I A c t 2005 p lease find enclosed th e unofficial translation o f th e note verb ale dated 1 0 c to b e r rsquo0 7 sent by R ussian M inistry o f Foreign Affairs in reply to the note verbale sent by our E m bassy in M o scow on the subject

(A rya S an d e e p ) D irector (E R S )

2 5 O ctob er 2 0 0 7

JS (W ei amp Inf ampCentral Public In form ation O fficer

v C op y to M in ister (Pol) E m bassy o f India M oscow

U n o ffic ia l T ra n s la tio n

Quote

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highest consideration

Moscow 01st October 2007

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

For official use only

E-GRAM

NoMOSPOL 125 190 laquo y October 10 2007

From To

Indembassy Moscow Foreign New Delhi

AStERS) from Minister (Poll

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

Q u o teUnofficial translation

Moscow 01st October 2007

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

sd-(Dr Subhakanta Behera)

Minister (Political)

a I JH

NICEMAIL r^T^X Page 1 o f 1

y

Current Folder SentMaill y II

I - Compose rsquo^ Addresses ^ Folders EOptions gt Search ^ H e lp sij^Fetch ^ss^Calen

Message List | Delete | Edit Previous I Next Forward I Forward as Attachment | Reply | Reply A ll Message as N ew ------------1 ----------- 1-------------------------------- 1 ldquo r J 1

Subject Message from EI MoscowFrom dcmmoscowmeagovinDate Wed October 10 2007 110 pm

To jsersmeagovinPriority NormalOptions V iew Full Header | V iew Printable V ersion | Add to Addressbook

Attachments

untitled -[l] Ok [texthtm l] download | view

MQS10100716dth 175 k [ applicationoctet-stream ] download

10)0o

NoMOSpOL125190 October 10 2007

From Indernbassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

AS(BRS) from Minister (Pol)

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

Q u o teUnofficial translation

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of

September 20o7 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22laquod of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

For official use only

1

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

Moscow 01st October 2007

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Minister (Political)

No64682DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and

the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 da ted the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

In add ition to the Note o f the M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion No 429 5 2D A dated the 22 nd o f June 2007 in form tha t docum ents from R ussian a rch ives w ere subm itted e xc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the

the Com m issionAfor investiga tion o f N eta jee S ubhas C handra B ose d isappea rance d e ta iis ^s ta b lis h e d by the G ove rnm en t o f IndiaD

p TU-Indian c itizen m en tioned in the Note o f the E m bassy has ^ f fg h t th rough the E m b a s sy tfo request and to fee- get to k n o w ^ a te r ia ls depos ited in Federa l and S ta te A rch ives o f the R ussian F ede ra tion w ith the perm iss ion o f its authorities

The M in is try ava ils th is opportun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest conside ra tion

M oscow 01st O ctober 2007

A ppend ix N ote N o4295 2D A

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

ampJk i A

lAK i

M

bull J U h J t ^ J JLflJ L (L S U s ^ S u (jrcopywO ^ (V|Pj iVv ^ |0]laquo f 1 r i r I - r r J I - 1Olgt-^ |1 CJ |ltg fkiiXn

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o 1

r

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Nlti 4 2 9 5 2 M

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No42952DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and quo ting the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 dated the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

D ocum ents from R ussian a rch ives m entioned in the N ote o f the E m bassy w ere subm itted in particu lar in June 2001 exc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the use by the C om m iss ion fo r inves tiga tion o f N e ta jee S ubhas C handra Bose d isappea rance deta ils estab lished by the G ove rnm en t o f India

W e a lso in form tha t the access to Federa l and S ta te A rch ive s o f the R ussian Federa tion is a llow ed w ith the perm iss ion o f Federa l a rch ives A g en cy (R osarch ives) the read ing in read ing room s o f concre te a rch ives w ith th e perm ission o f a rch ives s truc tu res au tho rities o f co rrespond ing bod ies on the basis o f appea l o f E m bassies sc ien tific research ins titu tes and pub lic o rgan iza tions

The M in is try ava ils th is oppo rtun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest considera tion

M oscow 02nd June 2007

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

MHHHCTepcTBO PiHocTpaHHbix 0eji Pocchhckoh

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No SA8907 ot 17 Mah 2007 rofla HMeeT qecrb coo6ihhtigt

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MHHHCTepcTBO nojib3yeTCfl cuynaeM h t o 6 m b o3o 6 h o b h t b

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NoSA17307

gt v

TRcT ltTv5f rram TTWTEMBASSY OF INDIA

MOSCOWriOCOIbCTBO HhaMM

MocKBa

18 September 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure of entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

J rThe Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent

vdeg a u th o r ity (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sidersquos view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set

^ up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji V A Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not

^ disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if suchaterial could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry it

could be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissionrsquos work is over Thecompetent authority is of the opinion that the material in question could be disclosed

W ^ deg the Appellant They further advised the Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi to formal clearance for the disclosure of the entire material on the above subject

J ^ ^ ^ f r o r y ^ e ^ i l i s s i a n side

- esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure of the above material maylease be communicated to this Mission at an early date

-

f

mbassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to tfte ^ in ijP r^W f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ^ of the Russian F e d e r ^ J ^(2nd Asia Department) 4 - 1 ^ gt i Csy~~~ aM o s c o w 1

6-8 yn BopoHUOBO rioie 131940 r MocKBa

Ten 007-095-783-75-35 007-095-783-75-34

wwwindianembassyru

tjgt2 t 007-095-916-36- 3 2 007-095-975-23-37

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR

JS(WelampInf) amp Central Public Information Officer has forwarded u s the CIC decision with request to initiate action in accordance with p a ra -13 th e Information Commission is all for disclosure of the material The CIC does not see any reason why the m aterial should not be disclosed now to any researcher since the Justice Mukherjee Commissionrsquos work is over Accordingly it has advised the Ministry of External Affairs to seek the formal clearance from the Russian authorities in the m atter

2 DCMrsquos last comm unication with JS(ERS) was made on 4th July 2007 DCM had forwarded the translation of the note verbale received from the Russian Foreign Office

3 In the light of above we may again send a note verbale to the Foreign Office in accordance with p a ra -13 of the CIC decision

Subm itted please

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

Sept 13 2007

NoSA17307 $ September 2007

The Embassy o f India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure o f entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

The Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent authority (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sides view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if such material could be made available to the Justice Mukheerjee Commission for inquiry they see no reason why-thisO material should iw k be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissions work is over The competent authority is of the ifem opinion that the material in question should be disclosed to the Appellant They further advised the Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi to obtain formal clearance for the disclosure o f the entire material on the above subject from the Russian side

The esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure o f the above material may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2nd Asia Department) Moscow

No R TI5517606 Ministry o f External Affairs

(RTI Division)

Subject - Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

Please find enclosed herewith Central Information Com m issionrsquos decision NoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar o f New Delhi

2 It is requested that necessary action may please be initiated in accordance with para-13 o f the CIC decision

EnclAs above

JS (Eiirasia)

(AiC Nag) Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer22-08-2007

mdash o j^ VxkxraquoA

OJLgt ^

J amp u - cVjl_JL bull

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(XaA

- e j

(e-US)

V mdash j ^ bull

S c

X H bull ( 0 r h

gf if raquofn2(gt0Dy N o pound 3 amp RTI D1V200gt

Central Information Commission ilaquoWDlaquoted4i^USd|ampL~

sect $ I| | i yyNoCICOKA200600671

Dated 10 August 2007

Name of the Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar263 Kangra NiketanVikaspuri New Delhi - 110 018

Name of the Public Authority Ministry of External Affairs

Background

Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi filed an application with the PIO Ministry of

External Affairs on 2 August 2006 for seeking certified copies of the complete

correspondence the Ministry of External Affairs had with the Governments of

the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash

Chandra Bose

2 The PIO vide his letter dated 25 August 2006 informed the Appellant that

the request to the Government of USSR and the Russian Federation were made

through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels The PiO also stated that the

requisite copies of the correspondence could not be disclosed at it involves the

relations with a foreign State and so was exempt from disclosure as per the

provisions of Clause 8(1 )(a)amp(f) of the RTI Act

3 Dissatisfied with the reply of the PIO the Appellant filed an appeal with

the first Appellate Authority on 23 September 2006 who vide his letter dated 6

November 2006 again denied disclosure of the documents taking recourse to the

Section 8(1 )(a) and (i) The bench of Dr OP Kejariwal Information

mmissioner heard the matter on 23 March 2007

4 The main stand of the Respondents to the information sought by the

Appellant which is regarding the correspondence between India and the

Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia was that this

information could not be disclosed as it was likely to affect the countryrsquos

relationship with another State On making enquiries from the Respondents it

was clear that this correspondence had neither been seen nor been examined

by an expert to come to such a conclusion Therefore the Commission felt

that the Applicantrsquos application had been treated casually

5 The Commission then directed the Respondents to first have this

correspondence examined by their own experts and if need be by an outside

expert who they could rely on and then take a firm decision In case the

experts came to the conclusion that the applicability of the denial clause was

not relevant in the case the material could be disclosed to the Appellant

However in case the Respondents came to the conclusion that the relations

between the Governments of india and Russia would be affected through the

disclosure of this information the Commission would like the issue to be

settled only after a reference had been made to the Government of Russia

6 The matter was taken up for a second hearing by the bench of Dr OP

Kejariwal Information Commissioner on 10 August 2007

7 Shri AK Naag Joint Secretary (Inf amp Wei) amp CPIO and Shri Nand

Kishore Under Secretary (RTI) represented the Respondents

8 The Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar was present in person

Decision

9 The Commission heard both the sides During the hearing the

Respondents stated before the Commission that they had received a response

from the Government of the Russian Federation Moscow in pursuance of the

Commissionrsquos earlier Order in the matter dated 23 March 2007

10 This letter stated ldquoaccording to the correspondence received from the

Embassy of India Moscow the Russian Foreign Office has stated that the

documents handed over by them in June 2001 were meant only for the GOIrsquos

official use and for the work of the Commission in investigations into the

disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo

11 During the hearing the Appellant stated that his request included the

entire correspondence between the Governments of India and the USSR

regarding nf NPtajirsquos disappearance The Commission accepted this

request and directed the Respondents to clearly mention this while seeking the

approval of the Russian authorities for disclosure of this material

12 Also during the hearing the Appellant made a plea for a copy of the

letter received by the Ministry of External Affairs resulting from the application

that he had made on the issue The Commission saw no objection in this

request and directs the Respondents to supply a copy of this letter to the

Appellant

13 The Commission further feels that if the material could be made

available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the

disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be

disclosed now to any Researcher now that that Commissionrsquos work is over The

information Commission therefore is all for disclosure of this material to the

Appellant However it advises the Ministry of External Affairs to seek a formal------ ------ - _ ____________ ___

clearance from the Russian Authorities in the matter

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110018

Shri AK Nag Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) a Central Public Information Officer Room No 207 Akbar Bhawan Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110021

3 Shri Ajay Choudhary Additional Secretary amp Appellate Authority Room No 144 C South Block Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110011

4 Officer Incharge NSC

5 Press E Group CIC

(OP Kejariwal) Information Commissioner

Cc

The Statesman

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01

[ India ]-

Netaji filesrsquo disclosure ordered

New Delhi Aug 16 The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the external affairs ministry to disclose its correspondence with the erstwhile USSR over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra BoseldquoThe Commission feels that if the material could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be disclosed to any researcher nowrdquo information commissioner Mr OP Kejariwal saidThe Commission made this observation while hearing Mission Netajirsquos plea for certified copies of the complete correspondence between India and the USSR over Netajirsquos disappearance in 1945 The CIC in its decision relied on a letter from officials in Moscow that said the documents which were handed over to India were meant for ldquoofficial use and for the work o f the Mukherjee Commission n PTI

Discussion on this Ind ia itemDisclaimer These are Internet generated discussion threads for which the The Statesman has no responsibilityNo discussions on this item

t o P os

Login

Usernar

Passwo

New

9 fM raquo f -

m m m m

O ther India

Cabinet nod to new farm scheme

Q case CBI m ay cancel notice

Thaw in Left-UPA ties

Keshubhai joins rebels

http wwwthestatesmannetpagenewsphpclid=2amptheme=ampusrsess=lampid=l 66383 8172007

N o f j j M j l J X K

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raquo

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR and noting of FS(Pol) thereon

2 It seems the Russian Foreign Office does not want to add anything beyond what they have already pu t in the note verbale of Ju n e 22 2007 However if the said note verbale is read together with the bilateral Agreement of 2000 it becomes clear th a t there is no bar oft supplying confidential information to persons asking for the sam e According to Article 3b ot the Agreement decisions to hand over particular classified information shall be taken by the Parties on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the laws of their States

3 Moreover as a scrutiny of the correspondences between the SovietRussian and Indian sides shows they do not contain any sensitive information All the correspondences convey the result of the search in the Russian Archives Perhaps tha t is why JS(CNV) was inclined to suggest the disclosure of the correspondences

4 Given my positive view on the m atter for disclosure of the correspondences I would however like to propose tha t the Ministry may be sent a copy of the note verbale received from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to take into cognizance of the Agreement of 2000 before taking any final decision on the m atter If needed LampT Division in the Ministry may also be consulted

Subm itted please

(r

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

July 3 2007

No 42952DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation and in reference to the Note SA8907 dated 17th May 2007 has honour to inform the following -

The documents from Russian archives referred to in the Embassyrsquos note in particular handed over in June 2001 for official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set up by it for the investigation of circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

cm)

a

W e further inform that the access to materials belong to federal and state archives of the Russian Federation is given with the consent of Federal Agency of Achieves (Rosarchiv) and permission to work in reading halls of agency archives is given by authorities of archives belong to concerned agencies on direct requests by embassies scientific amp research institutions and social organizations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation assurances of its highest consideration

^ ft o j L (vLoo jP xjlJ~plt~ Moscow 22 June 2007

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NoS -^ V JS (E R S )0 7

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9 hTIclt o agtA

P ^ gt r^ yV lt gt V gilaquo )laquo A ^ t Ministry o f External AffairsSouth Block New D elh i-110 011 M ail jsers m eagovin

J L ^ 7 7 0 A A t u - Phone 23017411

PhFax 2 3 0 1 9 2 2

j 3 gt kC ) h ^ Alt 5 ^ ^ M-V r Vw

T his is w ith reference to m y le tter no 11 J S (E R S)2007 d a ted April 20 2007 regard ing a req u e s t m ade u n d e r ldquoRight to in form ationrdquo (copy enclosed for ready reference) It is req u ested th a t th e R u ssian s id e rsquos resp o n se m ay kindly be in tim ated^atjan early da te ^ ^

rajj-vMaaS

Y ours sincerely

(Dr J Bhagwati

X ^h ri D ivyabh M an ch an d a D eputy C hief of M ission E m bassy of Ind ia Moscow

Copy to

AS(PP) JS(CNV)

(Dr J Bhagwati)

No 11 JS (E R S ) 2 0 0 7

Deari

Please refer to AS (PP) an d Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 M arch 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence betw een the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra B osersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E u rasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm w ith the R ussian side w hether they would have any objection to release of correspondence received from them on th is subject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos response m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

S d -(Dr J Bhagwati)

Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) A^(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

S

20 April 2007h

( Dr J Bhagwati )

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tel 7837535 Fax 9752337

NoSA8907 17 May 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 2YuA dated 8 January 1992 and subsequent correspondence (viz No 73YuA dated 27 October 1995 N 547 dated 20 March 1997 19073DA dated 20 March 2003 and 59542DA dated 6 October 2004) including a letter from Ambassador Yu Kutov regarding information about the reported stay of a former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

An Indian citizen had filed a petition under the Right to Information Act 2005 for obtaining all informationdocuments relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The information obtained from the Russian side was denied to the appellant at that time

^Thereupon an appeal was filed by the concerned citizen and currently the V Government of India is considering whether the informationdocuments

-t obtained from Russian authorities on the subject could be released toappellant Views of the Russian side whether the information provided by

( them could be released to the appellant would be essential for the^ f Government of India to take decision on the matter

The esteemed Ministryrsquos views on the matter may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the

s of its highest consideration

f V Ministry of Foreign AffairsL o f the Russian Federation

cr - A sia Department) ^V ^^(V io sco w

A V

Ministry o f External Affairs South Block N ew D elh i-110 011 Mail jsers m eagovinMail jsers m ea Phone 23017411

i]r

Phone 23017411 PhFax 23011922

S e c r e t

No H JS (E R S )2007

Dear L b ]

Please refer to AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence between the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra Bosersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E urasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm with the R ussian side w hether they would have

amp any objection to release of correspondence received from them on thissubject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos re~sponse m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

^Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) AS(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

( Dr J B hagw ati)

V

V No^5AS(PP)2007

Right to Inform atioi Timt

Most Im

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)rsquos Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Inform ation Act 2 005

Shri Anuj Dhar had initially requested this Ministry last year requesting form information on the following two points-

1 Certified copies of complete correspondence the MEA has had with the Governments o f the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

2 Confirmation on whether the Ministry had sought information from the erstwhile Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation by merely issuing Notes Verbale or some serious efforts were ever made at a higher (say Ministerial) level to uncover the mystery surrounding the fate of Netaji

filed an appeal with the CIC The appeal was considered by the CIC on 23 March 2007 The CIC has directed that the Ministry should have the documents under reference carefully examined by a panel of experts to determine whether the information sought by the applicant can be given or not

While we have not received the final decision of the Commission this would a time-bound exercise and it is therefore requested that JS(CNV) may please make the records available to me for a preliminary examination so that expeditious action can be taken on receipt of the formal decision of the CIC

The information was denied to Shri Dhar by this Ministry whereupon he

(AjAdditional Secretary (PP) fit

Appellate Authority (RTI) 28 March 2007

JS(CNV)

Copy forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with the request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me as soon as possible

o f iHC-ifl no 3 20 HOO bull rsquobull bullP

vrrwr 5fn tnrvtEMBASSY OF IN D IA

6-0 Ulitsa Obukha M O S C O W

Tel No 237-0820

t t v

Septe mb er 16 1991

The Embassy of I nd ia presents its compli me nt s to the Mi nistry of For ei gn Aff ai rs of the USSR and has the ho nour to enclose her ew it h a c o ll ect io n opound documents or NetSji S ub ha sh C h an d ra B o s e at one time a President of the Ind-ior N at io na l C o n g r e s s and a leading fig are in ths Indian freedom movement received from H r _ Ch it ts S s s u M em b er of P ar l ia m en t and Gene ra l Secretary All r d i a Forward Bloc a group founded by Meta ji Subhas-i X h 3 n d r a Fgt = $ e ord at present a c o n s t it ue n t of tne Left Front G o v e r n shyment in the Indian state of West Bengal

2 In these d o c u me n ts there are su ggestions quotingthe then Soviet A m b a s s a d o r in Kabul and the Soviet Vice Consu l in T e h er an to the effect that Netaji Subhash Chandra

itighr have found his way to the Soviet Union after the alleged ae ro p la n e cr as h in August 1 9 A 5 As recently as March 5 I990 The H i n d u s t a n Time an Indian daili n e w s p a p e r quoted a scholar of the Soviet Institute if Or ie nt al S t ud ie s to the effect t h a t there are t c S o v i e t sc ho la rs who have applied to tne Covernen-c of the US Sr for pe rm is si on to e xa min e cla ss if ie d documents

3- In the light of the current policy on Soviet nationala r ch i ve s the Embassy of India would appreciate if an rate- rial that sheds light on the fate of Netaji Subhush Chandra Dose in the a rch iv es of S ov ie t or ga nisations including s ec u r i t y o r g a ni s at io ns is made available to the Embassy of India

A The Ere bossy of India n vails itself of this opportunityto renew to the M i n s t r y of Foreign Affairs of the USSH the a s s u r a n c e s of its highest c on si deration

Seal

M i n i t r y of Foreign Af fa ir s Covernment of USSRM o s c o bullgt

E rc 1 a s a b o v e

if nI

(rough translation)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation

No ZAuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that according to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no information whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow8 January 1992

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

trrlter r_ EM B A S S Y OF INDIA6-8 Ulitsa Voiomsovo Polyo

N o S A 8 3 9 5 July 27 19SS

The Embassy of India presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to correspondence resting with their Note Verbaie No 2YuA of S January 15S2 regarding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Enclosed is a booklet which contends that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may have come to the former Soviet Union in 1945 There has teen further speculation in this context reportedly on the basis of archival materials In view of this it would be highly appreciated if ail materials available on the subject couid be examined for a final determination on whether or not Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose entered or stayed anywhere in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 or subsequently

The Embassy of India avails itself of tnis opportunity to renew to tne Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration - bull -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (South Asia Department) Moscow

v

(Unofficial T ransl

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

73YuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central Archival Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents^of Modern History no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to

renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 1995

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1995 Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years W e have now been informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory otthe former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador Kotov forwarding the note categorically asserts th a t we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soilrdquo and that extensive research can hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovrsquos letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

2 I would like you to please bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

(Pripuran Singh Haer)

0 M0 5 F f l I I 0 bull rsquo 1 ~ 6 C

Pripuran Singh Haer Charge dAffaires

MOSPOL125190

r o h o11 bull i bull r o j o o r i

trn s laquoPi j a r m rrcsl p - igt llsquo7EM B A S S Y OF INDIA

6-8 U l iu a Votomsovo PolyM O S C O W

Tel No S i 7-CS20 Tolex 413409 INDEMSU

Tgts Fa bullbull-9 3

October 31 19S5

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1SSS Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years We have now bee informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1595 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is nc

s informatcn whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory cf the formeSoviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador

ji Kotov forwarcing the note categorically asserts that we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soil and that extensive research can

1 hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovsbullvu letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

v jf2 1 wouid iike you to piesse bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

kt (Pripuran Singh Haer)

Shri R L Narayan Joint Secretary (EE) Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi

diams i iL Mr Ror on Sen Arnba ssador of Ind ia to th e R u s s i a n F e d e r a t i o n

D e a r R o n e n

E n c lo sed Y o u will find o u r no te c o n c e rn in g S u b h a sh C h a n d ra

Bose D o bel ieve th a t we have t r ied o u r best to discover any relevant

I actsU n f o r tu n a te ly I a m p ro fo u n d ly d is t ressed being u n a b le to provide

t any posi t ive in f o r m a t i o n on th e subject o f no t th e least im p o r t a n c e for

the In d ia n public Alas by now it a p p e a r s that we can be su re tha t Netnj has neve r set foot o n th e R u ss ia n soil Extensive re sea rch car r ied out

u p o n th e latest r eq u es t o f Y o u r s can h a rd ly leave any d oub ts to lhgt

effect

S in ce re ly Y ours Y a K o t o v

w

r lt W 3 lt tfr s t pound 2 3 i

Intervention by H EM rAnatoly MDrukov Ambassador of Russia in India during the

eress-conference on the 210296 in le Foreign Correspondentsrsquo Club__________

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is

deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people

who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73Y uA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

inform ation on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

m uch em otion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

j i

gt J -

i

Directorate of Foreign Relatilt Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

March 20 1997

N 547

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to you and has the honour to forward herewith the letter of Mr L Joychandra Singh addressed a second time to the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

In reply to this repeated query the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence (CAMD) of the Russian Federation has pointed out that there is no other data relating to the fate of Subhash Chandra Bose besides the information conveyed to you vide letter No1843 dated October 28 1996 (enclosing No222672 of the CAMD)

We request you to kindly inform Mr L Joychandra Singh of the above reply from the Archives

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Military Wing of the Embassy of India in Moscow the assurances of its highest consideration

Military Attache in the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation

Brig D Singh

No 19073DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federations presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassyrsquos note verbale No SA 1003 dated 8 January 2003 and the Ministryrsquos note verbale No 1423DA dated 28 June 2001 has the honour to inform you about the following

A search was conducted for documents related to the fate ofSCBose in the following federal archives

Russian State Military Archive (RGVA) Russian State Archives of Socio-Political History (RGASPI) State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) and Russian State Historical Archives of the Far East (RGIA DV) The information requested for was not found in the GARF RGVA and RGIA DV archives

Copies of the documents found in the RGIA DV Archives were sent to the Embassy in 2001

No information has been found about the fate of SC Bose in the Central Archives of the Russian FSB the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in the m anuscript section of the Russian State Library or in the Russian State Archives of Photographic Documents (RGAKFD)

We would also like to inform th a t the personnel archives of Eva Yakovlevna Lyusternik were sent after her death to the Russian Academy of Sciencesrsquo Institute of Oriental Studies and the open part of the archival m aterial on IV Stalin was sent from the archives of the President of the Russian Federation to RGASPI

The Ministry would like to use th is opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

M inistry of Foreign AtlairsR u ssian F ed eratio n

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Moscow 20th March 2003

^ M la iet ja Affaireo f the deration

No S 9 5 4 2 A A

The M inistry of Foreign Affairs of th e R ussian Federation p resen ts its com plim ents to the Em bassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and in continuation of Note No 55382XA dated Septem ber 14 2004 h as the honour to intorm th a t Information sought on the fate of Ind iarsquos p rom inent political figure Netaji S u b h ash C hand ra Bose was no t found in the C entral Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia

The M inistry avails of th is opportun ity to renew to the Em bassy the a ssu ra n ce s of its highest consideration

M oscow October 6 2004

E m bassy o f th e Republic o f India M oscow -

Ministry o f External Affairs CNV Division

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Information Act

Reference note at FR from AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) regarding CICrsquos directives on appeal by Shri Anuj Dhar who was denied information requested concerning disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his whereabouts in the former USSRRussia i f any

2 Vide letter o f 020806 at FA Shri Dhar had requested for (a) certified copies o f complete correspondence between MEA and the Government o f USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referring to Our Embassyrsquos intervention with the Russian MFA in 199219951997 2001 and 2003 and (b) whether MEA sought information from the Russian side in a routine manner through issue o f Note Verbales or some serious efforts were made at a higher level

3 Vide issue o f 250806 at FB CPIO on the basis o f inputs from CNV Division replied to Shri Dhar conveying that (a) requests to the Governments o f the USSRRussia were made through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels and (b) requisite copies o f the correspondence sought cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under provisions of Clause 8(l)(a)amp (f) o f the RTI Act Under Clause8(1)(a) there is noobligation to give any citizen information disclosure o f which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity o f India the security strategic scientific or economic interests o f the State relation with foreign State or lead to incitement o f an offence Under Clause 8(l)(f) there is no obligation to give ldquoinformation received in confidence from foreign governmentrdquo

4 Shri Dhar vide his letter o f 230906 at FC had appealed to then Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) on the ground that the reasons given by the CPIO denying him the information aslced for are untenable With regard to the intervention with the USSRRussian Government for information on Netajirsquos disappearance Shri Dhar seeks to know if this matter was pursued at a higher (say Ministerial) level Regarding Ministryrsquos resort to Clause 8(l)(a) Shri Dhar wrote that this is not intelligible to him as to how correspondence dealing with the disappearance o f a national hero can be threat to India or its relations with USSR which does not exist and has been disowned by the successor state o f the Russian Federation He has also questioned as to why information received in this matter o f national importance should be confidential In response to the appeal C lW Division has conveyed to JS (Inf) and CPIO vide its note dated 011106 at FD that (a) the information sought for by Shri Dhar ie whether serious efforts were made with interventions at higher levels with the Russian Government to seek information on Netajirsquos disappearance does not constitute ldquoinformationrdquo as defined in the RTI Act and the question is anecdotal in nature and (b) that copies o f correspondence cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under the relevant clauses in the RTI Act Though there is no evidence on this NGO file it is our understanding that these views were conveyed by the Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) to Shri Dhar Presumably what was meant was that Shri Dhar was seeking the opinion o f the MEA as to whether the efforts made by GOl in its interventions with the Russian Government were serious or just routinely taken up Since such lsquoopinionrsquo is not covered under Clause 1(0 hence it cannot be construed as lsquoinformationrsquo

6 The undersigned has gone through all available records in NGO Section pertaining to correspondence with the USSRRussian Governments seeking information on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose In particular attention is drawn to a note recorded in December 1998 at FE on linked file giving the chronological background to suchcorrespondence starting from May 1990 in the Note for Supplementaries prepared for Rajya Sabha Starred Question No 174 for answer on 101298 dealing with the Asiatic Societyrsquos request for access to Russian archives It may also be seen from the attached

A

Anticipated Questions and their Answersrsquo that Ministry was willing to disclose the contents o f the Note Verbale received from the Russian Government in response to IUdiaji demarches regarding information on Netaji on the floor o f the House There is no i available on NGO files to indicate if such information was in fact disclosed on the flooi o f the House when the PQ was answered However the point to note is Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose such information As per the last line under Clause 8 o f RTI Act ldquoinformation which cannot be denied to the Parliament or the State legislature shall not be denied to any personrdquo Therefore if such information has already been disclosed on the floor o f the House or even by virtue o f Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose we may no deny such information requested by Shri Anuj Dhar

7 Chronologically the correspondence copies available on file and linked files and sought by Shri Dhar are listed as under

(a) NV No Nil dated 160991 from EI Moscow to MFA USSR Government at FF on linked file

(b) NV No 2YuA dated 080192 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at -FGv -- bullbullbulllaquo mdash bullbull

(c) NV No SA8395 dated 270795 from EI M oscow to MFA Russian Government at FH on linked file

(d) NV No 73YuA dated 271095 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at FI

(e) DO letter from CDA EI Moscow enclosing Amb Kotovrsquos letter to Amb Ronen Sen at FJ on linked file

(f) Record o f intervention by Russian Ambassador to India at a press IK lrsquo ltonffirericebnrsquo2i0296 at FK on linked file

(g) NV No N547 dated 200397 from Russian Defence Ministry to EI Moscow at FL

(h) NV No 19073DA dated 200303 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow aft FM and

(k) NV No 59542DA dated 061004 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow 4 FN

8 A perusaldf the available correspondence shows the continuous effort made by the Ministry through the Embassy in Moscow to obtain information available i f any on Netajirsquos whereabouts in Russia It also shows that such effort was made at very high levels even through correspondence between the Indian Ambassador to Russia and his Russian counterpart One such correspondence is even addressed to a private Indian citizen in Manipur and the same has been passed on to him by our Embassy in Moscow There is no evidence to suggest that such correspondence was received in confidence an not to be disclosed However it would be beyond the competence o f CNV Division to make such a judgment merely on perusal ofthe filesrecords available in NGO SectionAS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) may like to consult Eurasia Division and Embassy o f India Moscow on whether disclosure o f such information under RTI woulc be detrimental to bilateral relations

J)(Debnath ShaiO

X At Wi bull JS (CNV)09 April 20f)7

AS fPP) amp Aeffellate Authority TRTI)

fet L 0 k f t t U a k k f c v J y -TI 4 i t i

cn v w et oA 2 4 JhV oW ei w ttC a

i CIC c h t tfcVe (jEuTA4-IAJ jrteaitcrj At-jKCdh-al tjyin cm Mm+cpL

I M i i ) J L j i t

j J 7

i

-r-

31

FAXTo AS(PP)

MEA New Delhi Fax 91-11-23013387

From First Secretary (Pol) Indembassy Moscow

Rpti) DS[Russia] MEA

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tele 007-495-9163544 Fax 007- 495-9163632

With reference to DS[Russia]rsquos message regarding AS[PP]rsquos note to JS[CNV] No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 9 April 2007 on an appeal filed under No RTI act 2005

2 Please find faxed herewith currently available few copies of this Missionrsquos correspondence with local authorities on the subject We will send more m aterial if available by the earliest diplomatic bag

U ) U v tcrv-4 j

(Dr Suresh Babu) FS [Pol]

13042007

A

- P O C C H H C K A fl A K M E M H H HAYK ^

H H C T H T Y T B O C T O K O B E ^ E H H J I

___________ JV2 ____________________

H a JVs_____________________________ T To 1Justice Mukherji

Commission o f Inquiry M irza Ghalib Street

Kolkata

Dear Sir

This is to inform you that as per your request we have checked the Private

Archive o f Prof EYaLustemic in the Indian Center o f the Institute of Oriental

Studies Russian Academy o f Sciences Moscow

We regret to inform you that there is no document on Subash Chandra Bose

With sincere regards

(Shaumian TLHead the Indian Center o f the Institute o f Oriental Studies

Russian Academy o f SciencesM oscow)

26092005

l0303l(Plttgt CHO 103753 (MeacflyHapoflHbiH) MocKBa T C n yji PoxcnecTBeHKa12 Ten (095)921-1884 (095)925-6461 Oaicc (095)975-2396 E-mail ivran orcru

In contrast to Indian National Congress Bose and his activists basically counted on armed struggle and open cooperation against enemies of England - Germany Italy and Japan Bose dreamed about freedom for India through crushing defeat of Britain Bose could not do it himself so he linked activity of his troops and groups with assault of Germany on India from the West and Japan from the East The aim of Bose was to expedite the assault in all possible ways and reinforce it from inside by subversive Anti-English activity in India and if possible to attached nature o f mass anti-British revolt However at that time not all people considered his activity as ldquosubversiverdquo Fascism was not so popular in India at that time but racism and violence were condemned everywhere A lot of Indians were satisfied with telling blows delivered hateful center o f empire by axis countries in particular against the background of British demonstrative nonshyrecognition of Indian rights for self-determination J Nehru wrote about this period How can we conciliate two basic directions of our policy - opposition to British imperialism and opposition to fascism and nazism How can we adjust our nationalism with our internationalism That was a difficult question for us taking in view current situation However this question would not be difficult if the British Government take a step to show us its refusal from imperialistic policy in India and rely on peoplersquos good willrdquo

But it did not happen Indian public reacted accordingly Describing the psychological atmosphere in the country that time Jawaharlal Nehru wrote ldquoPeople were pushing out not by patriotic feelings but by their willingness to save themselves from an offense and the worstrdquo

So S Bose did not have any mass support but he could use the mood of majority for his own purposes Nehru wrote about it the following ldquoProtection of the imperialism which we were fighting with for such a long time seemed to be non-sense and impossible to usrdquo

Unofficial translation

ldquoMatsottardquo is obtaining Soviet visa

Instructions were really complicated It was necessary to send Subhas Chandra Bose to Germany He was wanted by Britain secret service colonial Administration and local police throughout India Bose was staunch and irreconcilable adversary of Great Britain and may be the most dangerous one at that time

Extracts of the book whiten by Yuri L Kuznets ldquoMarauders are quitting the gamerdquo

Published in 1992 by ldquoInterprakstrdquo Moscow

Of course Bose made his main counting on the military defeat of England at the time when Hitlerrsquos Germany had been already at the war with it and Japan was still neutral So Bose was interested in Berlin When Japan occupied Burma and came close to the Indiarsquos borders Bose reoriented to the Far East

In spring 1941 his ways crossed with Bhagat Ram Bose decided to shift from India to Berlin because some of his friends and relatives were arrested in India and he by himself also was wanted He needed Hitlerrsquos support including financial one Ports we under police control and departure trough one of them was very risky Bose took another way and in February came to Kabul He was accompanied by Bhagat Ram who was not a member o f Bosersquos organization he did not like axis-members but he was posted as Bosersquos escort by his party ldquoKirti Kissanrdquo because o f his knowledge of Phushtun zone which they had to cross as well as Afghanistan and Kabul He also had his own flat in Kabul - the premises which belonged to Ultam Chang and his shop It was supposed that Ram was doing a favour to Bose only due to their common aim - to weak British positions in India at most

Ram fulfilled his task Bose settled down in Kabul and started to make arrangements for the next step of his journey During war time he could come to Germany only through the territory o f USSR For this purpose he required a passport which he did not have German Embassy applied to the Italian one Italians considered the German request positively Bose got passport in respect of Italian citizen Mazzotta Holding this passport Bose applied to the Soviet Embassy for transit visa crossed the USSR territory and came to Berlin

Mazzotta disappeared But German Consulate General drew attention to Bhagat Ram who was introduced as a powerful Indian activist in Afghanistan and India with anti-British orientation It was o f interest and he was suggested to work for the German Secret Service German resident was satisfied with Ramrsquos past his contacts and mood especially because he was concerned about difficulties o f the anti-British activities in India shortage of agents and information as well as conspiratorial bases in India Bosersquos recommendation also helped Ram was thinking it would be important for me and my party to establish contacts with enemies of their enemies

Offer on co-operation was accepted Ram left German Consulate having 100 000 Indian Rupees in his pocket 12 guns and ballets Money and arms were required by the people whom Ram would be recruiting in India Since May 1941 after the German finished their checking Ram had become the main agent o f the German Secret Service in India

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337 Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 9 4 0 5 September 9 2005

The Em bassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Em bassyrsquos earlier Note Verbales on the visit of a delegation of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 20-30 2005 in connection with enquiring into the facts and circum stances relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

It is confirmed th a t all logistical arrangem ents for official JMCI delegation and the accompanying eight deponents would be facilitated by the Embassy with no financial implications to the Russian side

It would be appreciated if the decision of the esteemed Ministry on visas for the visiting team may kindly be expedited

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

Copy to Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

No 5830 2DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Notes No SA16605 of 08 August No SA17405 of 18 August and No SA17905 and No SA18005 of 26 August this year has the honour to inform as follows

Justice Mukherjee as a Head of the Delegation set up by the Government of India to inquire about life of Subhas Chandra Bose pertaining to the period from 1945 onwards as well as the accompanying delegation will be given access to the documents kept in the Reading Halls o f the Federal and State Archives of the Subjects o f the Russian Federation in Moscow St Petersburg Irkutsk and Omsk through the Federal Archives Agency of the Russian Federation All expenditures related to the arrangements for their visit air-passage accommodation transport and medical insurance etc should be borne by the Indian side The Federal Archive Agency requests to inform Mr MK Mukherjee of the addresses of Federal Archives given below

1 Russian State Archive for social and political history - 103 821 Moscow 15 B Dmitrovka Str Director - Kiril M Anderson Tel 229 97 26

2 Russian State Archive of Audio- Photo Documents - 143 400 Moscow Region Krasnogorsk 1 Rechnaya Str Director - Lyudmila P Zapryagaeva Tel 562 14 64 563 08 45

3 Russian State Archive for Phono Documents 105 005 Moscow3 2ya Baumanskaya Str Director - Vladimir A Kolyada Tel 261 13 00

4 Russian State Naval Archive - 191 186 St Perersburg 36 Millionnaya Str Director - Vladimir S Sobolev Tel (812)312 11 37

The Federal Archives Agency recommends the following for work with the documents o f

- Central State Archive of St Petersburg - to apply to St Petersburg Archives Committee (193 015 St Petersburg 39 Tavricheskaya Str) Chairman of the Committee - Mr Anatoly D Yashkov Tel (812) 271 44 55)

- State Archive of Omsk Region - to apply to the Archive Department of the Ministry for State and Legal Development o f Omsk Region Head - Ms Galina Yu Borodina (644 099 Omsk 1 Tretyakova Str) Tel (381-2) 25 57 26

- State Archive of Irkutsk Region - to apply to Archive Department of Irkutsk Region Head - Ms Nadezhda K Shestakova (664003 Irkutsk 36a Gorkogo Str) Tel (395-2) 24 06 42

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow ldquo 15 ldquo September 2005

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA Moscow

slvNon-paper

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P o c c h h Ndeg 2 5 5 7 2 amp A o t 1 8 0 7 2 0 0 5 r )

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poccHftcKHe KOMneTeHTHBie opraHbi npoBenH H C H epnbm aiom H e H3bicKaHHfl

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KOTOpbix 6bm BbWBJieH p a fl AOKyMeHTOB b KOTopbix ynoMHHajiocb h m s C H E o ca

Bee o h h b KonHH nepe^aHbi h h ^ h h c k o h CTopoHe (b H a crao c T H HaHjeHHbiH b

2004 r b apxHBax OCE 46-th CTpaHHHHbiH OKyMeHT)

B 3aK pbiTbix apxH BH bix (J)OHflax HaxoA5imHxcfl Ha TeppHTOpHH P o cchh ck o h

O e^epaHH H KaKHX-jinSo CBe^eHHH 0 CHEoce He o6HapygtKeHo

9

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow___ Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337

Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 8 0 0 5 August 26 2005

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Embassyrsquos earlier communications regarding the visit of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 18-30 2005

By way of background information given below are the relevant details of JMCI -

(i) The Government o f India Ministry o f Home Affairs New Delhi vide a gazette notification No S 0339(B) dated 14th May 1999 appointed Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry for Inquiry into the Alleged Disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under Section (3) o f the Commission o f Inquiry Act o f 1952 (60 o f 1952)

(ii) As per this notification Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry shall inquire into all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945 and subsequent developments connected therewith including-(a) whether Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is dead or alive(b) I f he is dead whether he died in the plane crash as alleged(c) Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are the ashes o f Netaji(d) Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and if

so when and how(e) I f he is alive in respect o f his whereabouts

(iii) The Commission shall also examine the manner in which the exercise o f Scrutiny o f Publications touching upon the question o f death or otherwise on Netaji can be undertaken by the Central Government in the circumstances

(iv) Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry is funded by the Ministry o f Home Affairs Government o f India and is an official Commission

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

Copy to M inistry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV t J 001

A MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS (PP) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of material immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

Deputy Secretary (Russia) Ph 23015199 Intercom 2285

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

Dr T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

T c J i h irvMUt(SOMNATH GHOSH)

Deputy Secretary Ministry of External Affairs

New Deifci

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 1^1002

( t

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No R T I-2 pound _ A S (P P )2 0 0 7

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance_of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anufpfiar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) 6t

Appellate Authority (RTI) 09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

g^py forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - H W U(Ajal Choudhfy)

1 o 7

0 v

j N lsquoaA gt ^ 1 ^

04 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV

MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS-iEP-) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of matenal immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

D tpu ij u su ta i J iu J o ia JPh 23015199 Intercom 228S

D r T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

h i 7-

_100pound 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 002

Most Immediate

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No RTI-HiLAS(PP) 2007

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed bv Shri Anul Dhar under RTI 200S - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anurbhar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC ------ = = = = mdash

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) amp

Appellate Authority (RTI)09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

JZopy forwarded to JS(Eurasla) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - t t U X f (Ajal ChoudMfy)

k

Buff 43402

Square C u t Raider A4 434Made in London

Blue 43403 Green 43404 Grey 43405 Orange 43406 Pink 43407 Red 43408 Yellow 43409 Mauve 43414

Page 4: V ' . . . Disci* wi/K 0*s*/ - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ...

One message^ To Oir(CHS) ltgt MCA ltd(fets()meagovinraquo

Daic 09121-1 12 45 PMfrom SandMp Aryi laquoacmmoscowmraquoa gov

Reply To dcm moscowmea gov in

MOS1209201 lt1-269 egm (Ik8) S C Bose pdf (1 2MB)

Kindly soc attachment and acknowledge rcccipt

Regards

O o Deputy Chief ol Mission Embassy oi India Moscow

(rough translation)

M in is try of Foreign A ffa irs R ussian Federation

No 2 YuA lsquo rsquo

The M in istry of Foreign A ffa irs of the Russian Federation presents its com plim ents to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the E m bassy s Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that accord ing to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no in form ation whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The M inistry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscov^ 8 January 1992

E m bassy of the R epublic o f India M oscow

laquo

M inistry of Foreign A ffairs of the Russian Federation

73Yu A

The M inistry of Foreign A ffa irs of the Russian Federation presents its com plim ents to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central A rchiva l Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents_of Modern H istory no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhush C handra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The M inistry of Foreign A ffa irs avails itself of this opportunity tc renew to the Em bassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 199

Em bassy of the Republic of India M oscow

A m b a s s a d o r o f l i id ia to the Russian Federation

D e a r R o n e n _

E n c l o s e d Y o u will f ind o u r n o t e c o n c e r n i n g S u b h a s h C h a n d r a

Do^e D o be l i e v e t h a t we ha ve t r i ed o u r bes t to d i s c ov e r any re le vant

a n y pos i t ive i n f o r m a t i o n on t h e sub j ec t of n o t t h e l east i m p o r t a n c e for

ha s n e v e r set foot o n t h e R u s s i a n soi l Ex t e n s i v e r e s e a r c h c a r r i ed out

u p o n t h e l ates t r e q u e s t o f Y o u r s c a n h a r d l y leave a ny d o u b t s to thlb

t h e I n d i a n pub l i c Al as by now it a p p e a r s tha t we c a n be s u r e t ha t NVtaj

S i n c e r e l y Y o u r s

Yu Kot ov

3 7 S ^

Intervention by HEMrAnatoly MDrukov mbassador of

Bress-conferenceie Foreign Correspondents Clu b

_______ b y ________ Ambassador of Russia in India during the gtress-conference on the 210296 in

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

information on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

much emotion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

copyEmbassy of India

Moscow

Deputy Secretary(Eurasia) has requested this Missionrsquos input on Part 2 of the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP seeking information under RTI Act 2005 whether Netaji Subash Chandra Bose is still alive in Okotoks Jail in Siberia and if notldquosought the information about the prisoner who has been lodged in Okotoks Jailrdquo

2 As per records available in the Mission Russian Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 informed that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose having stayed on the territory o f the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years

3 Copies o f following relevant correspondence received from Russian side are placed below -

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Ambassador YuKotov to Ambassador Ronen Sen (with enclosure)

4 DFA is placed below for approval pi

SS(Pol)892014

Counselfor(Pol)

I

E-MailFax

No MOSPOL125190 September 9 2014

From Indem bassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) from SS(Pol)

Please refer to your mail dated Sept 3 2014 seeking inputs on Part 2 o f the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose

2 Copies o f the follow ing relevant correspondence received from Russian side are attached-

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Amb Kotov to Amb Ronen Sen

3 It may be seen from the above papers that there is no r ^

particular ja il m entioned in the applicantrsquos query Henee - it would b e -pppmpriatR_to_rep ly -to -tho applicant that- nomdashstteh-- informationmdashismdash-available with -asv

a v a i l a b l e mdash ^ - ^ t h e stay o f Netaji Subash Chandra

W ith Regards

(Gopal Ram) Second Secretary (Pol)

C o u n s e llo r (P o litic a l)

Pag o f 1

I f I

From d irers ltd ire rs m eagovingtltm inpo l ind ianem bassyrugt

~ent W ednesday S ep tem ber 03 2014 1113 AM Attach IM G pdf Subject S P A M ldquo RTI MOST IMMEDIATE

For Counsellor (Pol)

Enclosed please find an RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate seeking information on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

It is requested that Missions inputs on Part 2 of the question raised in the RTI application may be sent to us at an early date

Regards

Pankaj Saxena Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) Ministry of External Affairs RoomNo235G South Block New Delhi-110 011 Tel 2301 4600

ltK

4 ^ A ^ c A U - f o -

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932014

A l fr

p o litic a l d ip lo m a tic s o lu tio n H o w e v e r w e re fo c u s e d m ilita r i ly o n s t re n g th e n in g d e fe n s e o f o u r a llie s T h a t s o u r c o re ta s k R a s m u s s e n s a id b e fo re a m e e tin g w ith E U d e fe n s e m in is te rs

W e re r ig h t n o w c o n s id e r in g fu r th e r s te p s to s tre n g th e n o u r c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e A s I in d ic a te d th a t a ls o in c lu d e s w h a t I w o u ld ca ll a p p ro p r ia te d e p lo y m e n ts h e a d d e d c o m m e n tin g on th e c u rre n t a g e n d a

B u t its a b it to o e a r ly to g o in to d e ta ils a s to h o w w e w ill in c o n c re te te rm s s tre n g th e n c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e B u t no o n e s h o u ld d o u b t o u r d e te rm in a t io n to e n s u re in te n s iv e d e fe n s e a n d p ro te c tio n o f a ll a ll ie s R a s m u s s e n s ta te d w ith n o fu r th e r d e ta ils o n th e a ll ia n c e s p ro s p e c t iv e s tra te g y

S p e a k in g a t p r io r m e e tin g s th e S e c re ta ry -G e n e ra l a ls o v o ic e d c o n c e rn s a b o u t c la s h e s in e a s te rn U k ra in e b e tw e e n p ro - fe d e ra liz a t io n p ro te s te rs a n d fo rc e s lo y a l to th e g o v e rn m e n t c a llin g on R u s s ia to d e -e s c a la te th e c r is is a n d pu ll b a c k its la rg e n u m b e r o f tro o p s in c lu d in g s p e c ia l fo rc e s fro m th e a re a a ro u n d U k ra in e s b o rd e r w h ile w a rn in g th a t a n y fu r th e r R u s s ia n m ilita ry in te r fe re n c e w o u ld o n ly d e e p e n R u s s ia s in te rn a t io n a l is o la t io n

R u s s ia n F o re ig n M in is te r S e rg e i L a v ro v re je c te d W e s te rn a c c u s a t io n s th a t R u s s ia w a s b e h in d th e c r is is in s o u th e a s te rn U k ra in e s a y in g n e ith e r R u s s ia n s e c u r ity a g e n ts n o r s o ld ie rs h a v e b e e n d e p lo y e d to th e re g io n

T h e M in is try s a id th a t N A T O is a tte m p tin g to u s e th e U k ra in ia n c r is is a s an im a g in a ry th re a t to u n ite th e a ll ia n c e s m e m b e rs p u s h in g fo r R u s s ia s is o la t io n

Updated headline quote in paras 2 3

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M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Tel 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u s rs m e a g o v in

WI (AD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u F S (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P lease find a ttached a self-exp lanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f Subhash C hand ra Bose u n d er the R T I Act for kind necessary action a t your end

ahul S hrivastava) U n d er S ecre tary 7 Janu ary 2 0 0 8

No RTI5517606Ministry of External Affairs

( RTI Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquos note WI (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content of the note was conveyed to the Information Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government of

j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russian 1 Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the National

Achieve o f India

We have received a communication to this effect from the CIC which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(AK Nag) JS (Wei amp Inf) amp CPIO

December 18 2007

In fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r

gt O P KEJARIWAL fe laquoft-110067 B lo ck-IV 5 th F lo o r O ld JN U C a m p u s

N e w D e lh i-1 1 0 0 6 7 T ele fax 26717351

C entra In fo rm a t io n C o m m is s io n

November 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T I5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian Governm ent for disclosure of the N eta ji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar We have now received a le tte r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N eta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portan t from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere ind iv idualrsquos in terest He suggests and reuests therefore that this m ateria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India from abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m a tte r t h erefore is pursued w ith the I Russian G overnm ent so th a t w hatever m ateriah s o f va lue a nd in te rest to India m ay com e to us especially in the present case

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) Ministry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

Yours sincerely

(OP Kejariw al)

To 26 November 2007

Dr OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner Central Information Commission Old JNU Campus New Delhi - 110067

Subject R eq u est to Ind ian Errbassy to procure p ost-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian arch ives

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter NoR TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2007 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision N oC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made v this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the

Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Embassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

i

2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing ruies or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at times provide information A request from the Embassy of India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

^ would not yvant this exercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant records are identified the Embassy may procure them for the National Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India

since they are likely to provide a never befc 3 insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world w a r for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n L ____2 63 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mayzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez iden ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)[A rch ive o f the P res id en t o f the R uss ian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lsk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606-13-33 Fax (495 ) 606 -19 -66

2 Is to riko-dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del R F (ID D M ID) [H is torico-D ocum enta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in is try o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o lenska ia -S enna ia p loshchad 3234 Tel (495) 244-32-19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i po litik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (A V P RF)[A rch ive o f Fore ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241-04-80

4 Tsen tra lrsquonyi a rkh iv M in is te rs tva o bo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f D e fense]142100 M oskovskaia ob las t P odo lrsquosk ul K irova 74 Tel (495) 715-90-05 (0967) 54-00-03

5 G lavno je R azvedyva te lno je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilitary In te lligence D irecto ra te arch ives Address not know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 TsentraPnyi a rkh iv Federa lno i s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (TsA FSB R ossjj)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F edera l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzhby vneshne i razvedki RF (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)[O perational A rch ive o f the Fore ign In te lligence S erv ice ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 5110Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 245 -33 -68 Fax (495) 247-05-29

8 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (TsA M VD R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In te rna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovocherem ushk inska ia 67 (Archive) ul Zoi i A leksa nd ra K osm odem iansk ikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-90

2

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7 Jan 2008 1626

NameFax Number

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C

L i

DIRlt ERS)MEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1626 P0105

M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Te l 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u srs m eag o v in

WI(AJD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u FS (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P le as e find a ttached a self-explanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f S ubhash C hand ra Bose under the RT Act for kind necessary action a t your end

lahul S h rivastava) U n d e rs e c re ta ry 7 J a n u a ry 2 0 0 8

DIR(ERS gtMEflRNQ235C 7 Jan 2008 16=26 P020b

No RTI5517606 Ministry of External Affairs

( RTX Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquo s note W I (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser o f complete correspondence

with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash | Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content o f the note was conveyed to the Information j Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant bull The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government o f j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russiani Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the Nationali bull

W e have received a communication to this effect from the CIC

i s J

Achieve o f India

which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(A K Nag) JS (W ei amp Inf) amp CPIO1

December 18 2007

DIR( ERS gtMEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1627 P 0305

gt O P KEJARIWALSTTJprf

-MiX TR 4 58 cfcr TPTT

fcc=6ft11 0 0 6 7 Biock-lV 5th Floor Oki JNU Campus

I n fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r New Delhi-110067 Telefax 26717351

Centra Information Commission

Novem ber 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T 5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian G overnm ent fo r disclosure of the N etaji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar W e have now received a le t te r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N e ta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portant from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere individuals in terest He suggests and reuests th ere fo re that this m a te ria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India f rom abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m atte r therefore is pursued w ith the Russian Governm ent so th a t w hatever m ateria l is of va lue and interest to India may come toTis especially in the present case

Yours sincerely

(O P Kejariw al)

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) M inistry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C 7 Jan 2008 16 = 2 P 0405

02 6 N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 7

Dr OP Kejariwal information Com missioner Central Information Commission

+ Old JNU Campus N ew Delhi - 110067

Subject R e q u e s t to Ind ian Em bassy to procure post-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian a rc h ive s

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter N o R TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2 0 07 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTi Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision NoC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

lt think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Em bassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

4 2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing rules or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at tim es provide information A request from the Embassy o f India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

I would not w ant this e xercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant fcS ords s re identified the Em bassym ay procure them fo rtheN atTonal Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India since they are likely to provide a never befc s insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

1

DIR ( ERS) ME ARN0235C7 Jan 2008 16=27

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world war for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n t 2 6 3 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mazzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez idsn ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)Archive o f th e P re s id e n t o f the R ussian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lrsquosk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606 -13 -33 Fax (495) 606-19-66

2 Is to riko -dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del RF (ID D M ID) [H is to rico -D ocum en ta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in istry o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o ie nska ia -S en n a ia p loshchad rsquo 3234 Tel (495) 244 -32 -19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i p o lit ik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (AVP RF)[A rch ive o f Fo re ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241 -04 -80

4 Tsen tra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva obo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f th e M in is try o f D e fense] - bull -142100 M oskovska ia o b la s t P odo lsk ul K irova74 Tel (495 )715-90-05 (0 9 6 7 )5 4 -0 0 -0 3

5 G lavno je R a zve dyva te ln o je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilita ry In te lligence D irectora te a rch ives A ddress no t know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv FederaPnoi s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (T sA FS B R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F e de ra l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzh by vneshne i razvedki R F (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)(O perational A rch ive o f the F o re ign In te lligence Service ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 51 10Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 2 4 5 -33 -6 8 Fax (495) 247-05-29

Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (T sA M VD R ossii)[Central A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In terna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovoche rem ushk inska la 67 (Archive) ul Z o i i A le ksa n d ra K osm odem ianskikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-30

ffs

amp-3gt) i c y v

Embassy of India Moscow(Political Wing) f t

r r v ^Subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with USSRRussia over the

disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 reg

Reference remarks made by the Ambassador on FR a letter from JS (Wei ampInf) addressed to Shri OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner copy endorsed to Min (Pol) on the above subject

Back ground of the case On receipt o f a copy o f AS (PP )rsquo s Note No RTI- 36AS(PP)07 dated 942007 on the above subject Mission vide fax dated 130407 forwarded few copies o f Missionrsquos correspondence with the local authorities on the subject to AS(PP) -------- At F A

Subsequently on receipt o f JS(ERS)rsquo s letter No 1 lJS(ERS)2007 dated 20407 enclosed with A S (PP )rsquo s Note No 30AS(PP)07 amp JS(CNV)rsquo s Note along with copies o f correspondence available in CNV Division on the subject Mission has sent a Note Verbale No SA8907 dated 1752007 to Russian Foreign Ministry requesting for the views o f the Russian side whether the information provided by them could be released to the appellant -------At FB

Documents provided by Russian side and forwarded to the Commission

(i) Documents initially provided by the Russian side attached with Note Verbale No1423 DA dated 28h June 2001 which was forwarded to the Ministry on August

31 2001 may please be seen a t-----FC in the linked file

(ii ) On the basis of an affidavit submitted to the Justice Mukherjee Commission a Note Verbale No SA25904 dated December 22 2004 was sent to the M FA and reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 13142 DA dated 4 March 2005 enclosed with a copy of letter from Mr V Sayadyants to the Soviet Ambassador to Iran Mr IV Sadchikov regarding the political situation in India in 1946 may please be seen a t--------FD in the linked file

Response of the Russian side

( i) A reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 42952 DA dated 2262007 stating therein that ldquo the documents from Russian Archives handed over in June 2001 were for official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up by it for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo This was conveyed to the Ministry vide letter No MOSPOL125190 dated 472007 --------At FE

P2

2

Again on receipt o f a copy o f the decision o f Central Information Commission vide No RTI5517606 dated 22082007 (At FF) Mission took up the matter with M FA vide Note Verbale No SA17307 dated 1892007 for which a reply was received vide No 42952DA dated 11007 reiterating their view that the documents from RussianArchives were submitted exclusively for official use by the GOI including Thiswas conveyed to the Ministry vide E-gram dated 10102007-----At FG

Submitted as desired by Min (Pol) please

2

f^TT FTRTTM IN ISTR Y O F E X TE R N A L A F FA IR S

NEW D ELH I

Dated 2nd November 2007 I gt gt v

gt ldquo $

NoRTI551762006

Shri OP KejariwalInformation Commissioner Central Information Commission Club Building Old JNU Campus New Delhi-110 067 bull

Subject- Disclosure o f complete correspondenc e with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RT[ Act 2005

SirAs per directives o f the Honrsquoble Central Information

Commission contained in Para 13 o f the decisioNoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi seeking certified copies o f the complete correspondence this Ministry had with the Governments of the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

9 ^ 2 Our Embassy in Moscow again approached the Government of Russian Federation to get their consent to the disclosure o f documents under reference but the Government of Russian Federation reiterated that documents were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government o f India for investigation o f Netajee Subhash Chandra Bose disappearance

3 However they state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note o f the Embassy can approach the authorities o f the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy o f India for permission to get to know the M aterials deposited in Federal and State Archives o f the Russian Federation

OV-

g ji)

j d L

Yours faithfully

(AK Nag) Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer

_ f

- i V lt L

Copy for information forwarded to-

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110 018

2 Director(ERS) Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi with reference to his Note NoW l(AD)5511007 dated 25102007

Minister (Pol) Embassy o f India Moscow

Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp Central Public Information Officer

N o W l(A D ) 5 5 1 1 0 0 7 M inistry o f External A ffa irs

(ERS D ivision)

W ith re ference your N ote No R T I5 5 1 7 6 0 6 dated 2 2 8 2 0 0 7 to JS (E R S ) regarding d isclosure o f com plete correspondence w ith the USSRRussia o v e r th e d is a p p e a ra n c e o N e ta ji S u b h a s h C h a n d ra B o s g u n d e r R T I A c t 2005 p lease find enclosed th e unofficial translation o f th e note verb ale dated 1 0 c to b e r rsquo0 7 sent by R ussian M inistry o f Foreign Affairs in reply to the note verbale sent by our E m bassy in M o scow on the subject

(A rya S an d e e p ) D irector (E R S )

2 5 O ctob er 2 0 0 7

JS (W ei amp Inf ampCentral Public In form ation O fficer

v C op y to M in ister (Pol) E m bassy o f India M oscow

U n o ffic ia l T ra n s la tio n

Quote

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highest consideration

Moscow 01st October 2007

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

For official use only

E-GRAM

NoMOSPOL 125 190 laquo y October 10 2007

From To

Indembassy Moscow Foreign New Delhi

AStERS) from Minister (Poll

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

Q u o teUnofficial translation

Moscow 01st October 2007

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

sd-(Dr Subhakanta Behera)

Minister (Political)

a I JH

NICEMAIL r^T^X Page 1 o f 1

y

Current Folder SentMaill y II

I - Compose rsquo^ Addresses ^ Folders EOptions gt Search ^ H e lp sij^Fetch ^ss^Calen

Message List | Delete | Edit Previous I Next Forward I Forward as Attachment | Reply | Reply A ll Message as N ew ------------1 ----------- 1-------------------------------- 1 ldquo r J 1

Subject Message from EI MoscowFrom dcmmoscowmeagovinDate Wed October 10 2007 110 pm

To jsersmeagovinPriority NormalOptions V iew Full Header | V iew Printable V ersion | Add to Addressbook

Attachments

untitled -[l] Ok [texthtm l] download | view

MQS10100716dth 175 k [ applicationoctet-stream ] download

10)0o

NoMOSpOL125190 October 10 2007

From Indernbassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

AS(BRS) from Minister (Pol)

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

Q u o teUnofficial translation

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of

September 20o7 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22laquod of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

For official use only

1

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

Moscow 01st October 2007

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Minister (Political)

No64682DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and

the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 da ted the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

In add ition to the Note o f the M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion No 429 5 2D A dated the 22 nd o f June 2007 in form tha t docum ents from R ussian a rch ives w ere subm itted e xc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the

the Com m issionAfor investiga tion o f N eta jee S ubhas C handra B ose d isappea rance d e ta iis ^s ta b lis h e d by the G ove rnm en t o f IndiaD

p TU-Indian c itizen m en tioned in the Note o f the E m bassy has ^ f fg h t th rough the E m b a s sy tfo request and to fee- get to k n o w ^ a te r ia ls depos ited in Federa l and S ta te A rch ives o f the R ussian F ede ra tion w ith the perm iss ion o f its authorities

The M in is try ava ils th is opportun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest conside ra tion

M oscow 01st O ctober 2007

A ppend ix N ote N o4295 2D A

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

ampJk i A

lAK i

M

bull J U h J t ^ J JLflJ L (L S U s ^ S u (jrcopywO ^ (V|Pj iVv ^ |0]laquo f 1 r i r I - r r J I - 1Olgt-^ |1 CJ |ltg fkiiXn

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o 1

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No42952DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and quo ting the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 dated the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

D ocum ents from R ussian a rch ives m entioned in the N ote o f the E m bassy w ere subm itted in particu lar in June 2001 exc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the use by the C om m iss ion fo r inves tiga tion o f N e ta jee S ubhas C handra Bose d isappea rance deta ils estab lished by the G ove rnm en t o f India

W e a lso in form tha t the access to Federa l and S ta te A rch ive s o f the R ussian Federa tion is a llow ed w ith the perm iss ion o f Federa l a rch ives A g en cy (R osarch ives) the read ing in read ing room s o f concre te a rch ives w ith th e perm ission o f a rch ives s truc tu res au tho rities o f co rrespond ing bod ies on the basis o f appea l o f E m bassies sc ien tific research ins titu tes and pub lic o rgan iza tions

The M in is try ava ils th is oppo rtun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest considera tion

M oscow 02nd June 2007

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

MHHHCTepcTBO PiHocTpaHHbix 0eji Pocchhckoh

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No SA8907 ot 17 Mah 2007 rofla HMeeT qecrb coo6ihhtigt

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NoSA17307

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TRcT ltTv5f rram TTWTEMBASSY OF INDIA

MOSCOWriOCOIbCTBO HhaMM

MocKBa

18 September 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure of entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

J rThe Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent

vdeg a u th o r ity (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sidersquos view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set

^ up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji V A Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not

^ disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if suchaterial could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry it

could be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissionrsquos work is over Thecompetent authority is of the opinion that the material in question could be disclosed

W ^ deg the Appellant They further advised the Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi to formal clearance for the disclosure of the entire material on the above subject

J ^ ^ ^ f r o r y ^ e ^ i l i s s i a n side

- esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure of the above material maylease be communicated to this Mission at an early date

-

f

mbassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to tfte ^ in ijP r^W f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ^ of the Russian F e d e r ^ J ^(2nd Asia Department) 4 - 1 ^ gt i Csy~~~ aM o s c o w 1

6-8 yn BopoHUOBO rioie 131940 r MocKBa

Ten 007-095-783-75-35 007-095-783-75-34

wwwindianembassyru

tjgt2 t 007-095-916-36- 3 2 007-095-975-23-37

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR

JS(WelampInf) amp Central Public Information Officer has forwarded u s the CIC decision with request to initiate action in accordance with p a ra -13 th e Information Commission is all for disclosure of the material The CIC does not see any reason why the m aterial should not be disclosed now to any researcher since the Justice Mukherjee Commissionrsquos work is over Accordingly it has advised the Ministry of External Affairs to seek the formal clearance from the Russian authorities in the m atter

2 DCMrsquos last comm unication with JS(ERS) was made on 4th July 2007 DCM had forwarded the translation of the note verbale received from the Russian Foreign Office

3 In the light of above we may again send a note verbale to the Foreign Office in accordance with p a ra -13 of the CIC decision

Subm itted please

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

Sept 13 2007

NoSA17307 $ September 2007

The Embassy o f India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure o f entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

The Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent authority (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sides view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if such material could be made available to the Justice Mukheerjee Commission for inquiry they see no reason why-thisO material should iw k be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissions work is over The competent authority is of the ifem opinion that the material in question should be disclosed to the Appellant They further advised the Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi to obtain formal clearance for the disclosure o f the entire material on the above subject from the Russian side

The esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure o f the above material may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2nd Asia Department) Moscow

No R TI5517606 Ministry o f External Affairs

(RTI Division)

Subject - Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

Please find enclosed herewith Central Information Com m issionrsquos decision NoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar o f New Delhi

2 It is requested that necessary action may please be initiated in accordance with para-13 o f the CIC decision

EnclAs above

JS (Eiirasia)

(AiC Nag) Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer22-08-2007

mdash o j^ VxkxraquoA

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J amp u - cVjl_JL bull

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(XaA

- e j

(e-US)

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gf if raquofn2(gt0Dy N o pound 3 amp RTI D1V200gt

Central Information Commission ilaquoWDlaquoted4i^USd|ampL~

sect $ I| | i yyNoCICOKA200600671

Dated 10 August 2007

Name of the Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar263 Kangra NiketanVikaspuri New Delhi - 110 018

Name of the Public Authority Ministry of External Affairs

Background

Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi filed an application with the PIO Ministry of

External Affairs on 2 August 2006 for seeking certified copies of the complete

correspondence the Ministry of External Affairs had with the Governments of

the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash

Chandra Bose

2 The PIO vide his letter dated 25 August 2006 informed the Appellant that

the request to the Government of USSR and the Russian Federation were made

through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels The PiO also stated that the

requisite copies of the correspondence could not be disclosed at it involves the

relations with a foreign State and so was exempt from disclosure as per the

provisions of Clause 8(1 )(a)amp(f) of the RTI Act

3 Dissatisfied with the reply of the PIO the Appellant filed an appeal with

the first Appellate Authority on 23 September 2006 who vide his letter dated 6

November 2006 again denied disclosure of the documents taking recourse to the

Section 8(1 )(a) and (i) The bench of Dr OP Kejariwal Information

mmissioner heard the matter on 23 March 2007

4 The main stand of the Respondents to the information sought by the

Appellant which is regarding the correspondence between India and the

Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia was that this

information could not be disclosed as it was likely to affect the countryrsquos

relationship with another State On making enquiries from the Respondents it

was clear that this correspondence had neither been seen nor been examined

by an expert to come to such a conclusion Therefore the Commission felt

that the Applicantrsquos application had been treated casually

5 The Commission then directed the Respondents to first have this

correspondence examined by their own experts and if need be by an outside

expert who they could rely on and then take a firm decision In case the

experts came to the conclusion that the applicability of the denial clause was

not relevant in the case the material could be disclosed to the Appellant

However in case the Respondents came to the conclusion that the relations

between the Governments of india and Russia would be affected through the

disclosure of this information the Commission would like the issue to be

settled only after a reference had been made to the Government of Russia

6 The matter was taken up for a second hearing by the bench of Dr OP

Kejariwal Information Commissioner on 10 August 2007

7 Shri AK Naag Joint Secretary (Inf amp Wei) amp CPIO and Shri Nand

Kishore Under Secretary (RTI) represented the Respondents

8 The Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar was present in person

Decision

9 The Commission heard both the sides During the hearing the

Respondents stated before the Commission that they had received a response

from the Government of the Russian Federation Moscow in pursuance of the

Commissionrsquos earlier Order in the matter dated 23 March 2007

10 This letter stated ldquoaccording to the correspondence received from the

Embassy of India Moscow the Russian Foreign Office has stated that the

documents handed over by them in June 2001 were meant only for the GOIrsquos

official use and for the work of the Commission in investigations into the

disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo

11 During the hearing the Appellant stated that his request included the

entire correspondence between the Governments of India and the USSR

regarding nf NPtajirsquos disappearance The Commission accepted this

request and directed the Respondents to clearly mention this while seeking the

approval of the Russian authorities for disclosure of this material

12 Also during the hearing the Appellant made a plea for a copy of the

letter received by the Ministry of External Affairs resulting from the application

that he had made on the issue The Commission saw no objection in this

request and directs the Respondents to supply a copy of this letter to the

Appellant

13 The Commission further feels that if the material could be made

available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the

disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be

disclosed now to any Researcher now that that Commissionrsquos work is over The

information Commission therefore is all for disclosure of this material to the

Appellant However it advises the Ministry of External Affairs to seek a formal------ ------ - _ ____________ ___

clearance from the Russian Authorities in the matter

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110018

Shri AK Nag Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) a Central Public Information Officer Room No 207 Akbar Bhawan Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110021

3 Shri Ajay Choudhary Additional Secretary amp Appellate Authority Room No 144 C South Block Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110011

4 Officer Incharge NSC

5 Press E Group CIC

(OP Kejariwal) Information Commissioner

Cc

The Statesman

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01

[ India ]-

Netaji filesrsquo disclosure ordered

New Delhi Aug 16 The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the external affairs ministry to disclose its correspondence with the erstwhile USSR over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra BoseldquoThe Commission feels that if the material could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be disclosed to any researcher nowrdquo information commissioner Mr OP Kejariwal saidThe Commission made this observation while hearing Mission Netajirsquos plea for certified copies of the complete correspondence between India and the USSR over Netajirsquos disappearance in 1945 The CIC in its decision relied on a letter from officials in Moscow that said the documents which were handed over to India were meant for ldquoofficial use and for the work o f the Mukherjee Commission n PTI

Discussion on this Ind ia itemDisclaimer These are Internet generated discussion threads for which the The Statesman has no responsibilityNo discussions on this item

t o P os

Login

Usernar

Passwo

New

9 fM raquo f -

m m m m

O ther India

Cabinet nod to new farm scheme

Q case CBI m ay cancel notice

Thaw in Left-UPA ties

Keshubhai joins rebels

http wwwthestatesmannetpagenewsphpclid=2amptheme=ampusrsess=lampid=l 66383 8172007

N o f j j M j l J X K

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Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR and noting of FS(Pol) thereon

2 It seems the Russian Foreign Office does not want to add anything beyond what they have already pu t in the note verbale of Ju n e 22 2007 However if the said note verbale is read together with the bilateral Agreement of 2000 it becomes clear th a t there is no bar oft supplying confidential information to persons asking for the sam e According to Article 3b ot the Agreement decisions to hand over particular classified information shall be taken by the Parties on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the laws of their States

3 Moreover as a scrutiny of the correspondences between the SovietRussian and Indian sides shows they do not contain any sensitive information All the correspondences convey the result of the search in the Russian Archives Perhaps tha t is why JS(CNV) was inclined to suggest the disclosure of the correspondences

4 Given my positive view on the m atter for disclosure of the correspondences I would however like to propose tha t the Ministry may be sent a copy of the note verbale received from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to take into cognizance of the Agreement of 2000 before taking any final decision on the m atter If needed LampT Division in the Ministry may also be consulted

Subm itted please

(r

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

July 3 2007

No 42952DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation and in reference to the Note SA8907 dated 17th May 2007 has honour to inform the following -

The documents from Russian archives referred to in the Embassyrsquos note in particular handed over in June 2001 for official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set up by it for the investigation of circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

cm)

a

W e further inform that the access to materials belong to federal and state archives of the Russian Federation is given with the consent of Federal Agency of Achieves (Rosarchiv) and permission to work in reading halls of agency archives is given by authorities of archives belong to concerned agencies on direct requests by embassies scientific amp research institutions and social organizations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation assurances of its highest consideration

^ ft o j L (vLoo jP xjlJ~plt~ Moscow 22 June 2007

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NoS -^ V JS (E R S )0 7

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9 hTIclt o agtA

P ^ gt r^ yV lt gt V gilaquo )laquo A ^ t Ministry o f External AffairsSouth Block New D elh i-110 011 M ail jsers m eagovin

J L ^ 7 7 0 A A t u - Phone 23017411

PhFax 2 3 0 1 9 2 2

j 3 gt kC ) h ^ Alt 5 ^ ^ M-V r Vw

T his is w ith reference to m y le tter no 11 J S (E R S)2007 d a ted April 20 2007 regard ing a req u e s t m ade u n d e r ldquoRight to in form ationrdquo (copy enclosed for ready reference) It is req u ested th a t th e R u ssian s id e rsquos resp o n se m ay kindly be in tim ated^atjan early da te ^ ^

rajj-vMaaS

Y ours sincerely

(Dr J Bhagwati

X ^h ri D ivyabh M an ch an d a D eputy C hief of M ission E m bassy of Ind ia Moscow

Copy to

AS(PP) JS(CNV)

(Dr J Bhagwati)

No 11 JS (E R S ) 2 0 0 7

Deari

Please refer to AS (PP) an d Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 M arch 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence betw een the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra B osersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E u rasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm w ith the R ussian side w hether they would have any objection to release of correspondence received from them on th is subject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos response m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

S d -(Dr J Bhagwati)

Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) A^(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

S

20 April 2007h

( Dr J Bhagwati )

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tel 7837535 Fax 9752337

NoSA8907 17 May 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 2YuA dated 8 January 1992 and subsequent correspondence (viz No 73YuA dated 27 October 1995 N 547 dated 20 March 1997 19073DA dated 20 March 2003 and 59542DA dated 6 October 2004) including a letter from Ambassador Yu Kutov regarding information about the reported stay of a former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

An Indian citizen had filed a petition under the Right to Information Act 2005 for obtaining all informationdocuments relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The information obtained from the Russian side was denied to the appellant at that time

^Thereupon an appeal was filed by the concerned citizen and currently the V Government of India is considering whether the informationdocuments

-t obtained from Russian authorities on the subject could be released toappellant Views of the Russian side whether the information provided by

( them could be released to the appellant would be essential for the^ f Government of India to take decision on the matter

The esteemed Ministryrsquos views on the matter may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the

s of its highest consideration

f V Ministry of Foreign AffairsL o f the Russian Federation

cr - A sia Department) ^V ^^(V io sco w

A V

Ministry o f External Affairs South Block N ew D elh i-110 011 Mail jsers m eagovinMail jsers m ea Phone 23017411

i]r

Phone 23017411 PhFax 23011922

S e c r e t

No H JS (E R S )2007

Dear L b ]

Please refer to AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence between the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra Bosersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E urasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm with the R ussian side w hether they would have

amp any objection to release of correspondence received from them on thissubject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos re~sponse m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

^Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) AS(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

( Dr J B hagw ati)

V

V No^5AS(PP)2007

Right to Inform atioi Timt

Most Im

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)rsquos Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Inform ation Act 2 005

Shri Anuj Dhar had initially requested this Ministry last year requesting form information on the following two points-

1 Certified copies of complete correspondence the MEA has had with the Governments o f the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

2 Confirmation on whether the Ministry had sought information from the erstwhile Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation by merely issuing Notes Verbale or some serious efforts were ever made at a higher (say Ministerial) level to uncover the mystery surrounding the fate of Netaji

filed an appeal with the CIC The appeal was considered by the CIC on 23 March 2007 The CIC has directed that the Ministry should have the documents under reference carefully examined by a panel of experts to determine whether the information sought by the applicant can be given or not

While we have not received the final decision of the Commission this would a time-bound exercise and it is therefore requested that JS(CNV) may please make the records available to me for a preliminary examination so that expeditious action can be taken on receipt of the formal decision of the CIC

The information was denied to Shri Dhar by this Ministry whereupon he

(AjAdditional Secretary (PP) fit

Appellate Authority (RTI) 28 March 2007

JS(CNV)

Copy forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with the request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me as soon as possible

o f iHC-ifl no 3 20 HOO bull rsquobull bullP

vrrwr 5fn tnrvtEMBASSY OF IN D IA

6-0 Ulitsa Obukha M O S C O W

Tel No 237-0820

t t v

Septe mb er 16 1991

The Embassy of I nd ia presents its compli me nt s to the Mi nistry of For ei gn Aff ai rs of the USSR and has the ho nour to enclose her ew it h a c o ll ect io n opound documents or NetSji S ub ha sh C h an d ra B o s e at one time a President of the Ind-ior N at io na l C o n g r e s s and a leading fig are in ths Indian freedom movement received from H r _ Ch it ts S s s u M em b er of P ar l ia m en t and Gene ra l Secretary All r d i a Forward Bloc a group founded by Meta ji Subhas-i X h 3 n d r a Fgt = $ e ord at present a c o n s t it ue n t of tne Left Front G o v e r n shyment in the Indian state of West Bengal

2 In these d o c u me n ts there are su ggestions quotingthe then Soviet A m b a s s a d o r in Kabul and the Soviet Vice Consu l in T e h er an to the effect that Netaji Subhash Chandra

itighr have found his way to the Soviet Union after the alleged ae ro p la n e cr as h in August 1 9 A 5 As recently as March 5 I990 The H i n d u s t a n Time an Indian daili n e w s p a p e r quoted a scholar of the Soviet Institute if Or ie nt al S t ud ie s to the effect t h a t there are t c S o v i e t sc ho la rs who have applied to tne Covernen-c of the US Sr for pe rm is si on to e xa min e cla ss if ie d documents

3- In the light of the current policy on Soviet nationala r ch i ve s the Embassy of India would appreciate if an rate- rial that sheds light on the fate of Netaji Subhush Chandra Dose in the a rch iv es of S ov ie t or ga nisations including s ec u r i t y o r g a ni s at io ns is made available to the Embassy of India

A The Ere bossy of India n vails itself of this opportunityto renew to the M i n s t r y of Foreign Affairs of the USSH the a s s u r a n c e s of its highest c on si deration

Seal

M i n i t r y of Foreign Af fa ir s Covernment of USSRM o s c o bullgt

E rc 1 a s a b o v e

if nI

(rough translation)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation

No ZAuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that according to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no information whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow8 January 1992

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

trrlter r_ EM B A S S Y OF INDIA6-8 Ulitsa Voiomsovo Polyo

N o S A 8 3 9 5 July 27 19SS

The Embassy of India presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to correspondence resting with their Note Verbaie No 2YuA of S January 15S2 regarding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Enclosed is a booklet which contends that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may have come to the former Soviet Union in 1945 There has teen further speculation in this context reportedly on the basis of archival materials In view of this it would be highly appreciated if ail materials available on the subject couid be examined for a final determination on whether or not Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose entered or stayed anywhere in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 or subsequently

The Embassy of India avails itself of tnis opportunity to renew to tne Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration - bull -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (South Asia Department) Moscow

v

(Unofficial T ransl

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

73YuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central Archival Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents^of Modern History no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to

renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 1995

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1995 Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years W e have now been informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory otthe former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador Kotov forwarding the note categorically asserts th a t we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soilrdquo and that extensive research can hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovrsquos letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

2 I would like you to please bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

(Pripuran Singh Haer)

0 M0 5 F f l I I 0 bull rsquo 1 ~ 6 C

Pripuran Singh Haer Charge dAffaires

MOSPOL125190

r o h o11 bull i bull r o j o o r i

trn s laquoPi j a r m rrcsl p - igt llsquo7EM B A S S Y OF INDIA

6-8 U l iu a Votomsovo PolyM O S C O W

Tel No S i 7-CS20 Tolex 413409 INDEMSU

Tgts Fa bullbull-9 3

October 31 19S5

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1SSS Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years We have now bee informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1595 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is nc

s informatcn whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory cf the formeSoviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador

ji Kotov forwarcing the note categorically asserts that we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soil and that extensive research can

1 hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovsbullvu letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

v jf2 1 wouid iike you to piesse bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

kt (Pripuran Singh Haer)

Shri R L Narayan Joint Secretary (EE) Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi

diams i iL Mr Ror on Sen Arnba ssador of Ind ia to th e R u s s i a n F e d e r a t i o n

D e a r R o n e n

E n c lo sed Y o u will find o u r no te c o n c e rn in g S u b h a sh C h a n d ra

Bose D o bel ieve th a t we have t r ied o u r best to discover any relevant

I actsU n f o r tu n a te ly I a m p ro fo u n d ly d is t ressed being u n a b le to provide

t any posi t ive in f o r m a t i o n on th e subject o f no t th e least im p o r t a n c e for

the In d ia n public Alas by now it a p p e a r s that we can be su re tha t Netnj has neve r set foot o n th e R u ss ia n soil Extensive re sea rch car r ied out

u p o n th e latest r eq u es t o f Y o u r s can h a rd ly leave any d oub ts to lhgt

effect

S in ce re ly Y ours Y a K o t o v

w

r lt W 3 lt tfr s t pound 2 3 i

Intervention by H EM rAnatoly MDrukov Ambassador of Russia in India during the

eress-conference on the 210296 in le Foreign Correspondentsrsquo Club__________

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is

deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people

who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73Y uA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

inform ation on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

m uch em otion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

j i

gt J -

i

Directorate of Foreign Relatilt Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

March 20 1997

N 547

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to you and has the honour to forward herewith the letter of Mr L Joychandra Singh addressed a second time to the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

In reply to this repeated query the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence (CAMD) of the Russian Federation has pointed out that there is no other data relating to the fate of Subhash Chandra Bose besides the information conveyed to you vide letter No1843 dated October 28 1996 (enclosing No222672 of the CAMD)

We request you to kindly inform Mr L Joychandra Singh of the above reply from the Archives

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Military Wing of the Embassy of India in Moscow the assurances of its highest consideration

Military Attache in the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation

Brig D Singh

No 19073DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federations presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassyrsquos note verbale No SA 1003 dated 8 January 2003 and the Ministryrsquos note verbale No 1423DA dated 28 June 2001 has the honour to inform you about the following

A search was conducted for documents related to the fate ofSCBose in the following federal archives

Russian State Military Archive (RGVA) Russian State Archives of Socio-Political History (RGASPI) State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) and Russian State Historical Archives of the Far East (RGIA DV) The information requested for was not found in the GARF RGVA and RGIA DV archives

Copies of the documents found in the RGIA DV Archives were sent to the Embassy in 2001

No information has been found about the fate of SC Bose in the Central Archives of the Russian FSB the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in the m anuscript section of the Russian State Library or in the Russian State Archives of Photographic Documents (RGAKFD)

We would also like to inform th a t the personnel archives of Eva Yakovlevna Lyusternik were sent after her death to the Russian Academy of Sciencesrsquo Institute of Oriental Studies and the open part of the archival m aterial on IV Stalin was sent from the archives of the President of the Russian Federation to RGASPI

The Ministry would like to use th is opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

M inistry of Foreign AtlairsR u ssian F ed eratio n

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Moscow 20th March 2003

^ M la iet ja Affaireo f the deration

No S 9 5 4 2 A A

The M inistry of Foreign Affairs of th e R ussian Federation p resen ts its com plim ents to the Em bassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and in continuation of Note No 55382XA dated Septem ber 14 2004 h as the honour to intorm th a t Information sought on the fate of Ind iarsquos p rom inent political figure Netaji S u b h ash C hand ra Bose was no t found in the C entral Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia

The M inistry avails of th is opportun ity to renew to the Em bassy the a ssu ra n ce s of its highest consideration

M oscow October 6 2004

E m bassy o f th e Republic o f India M oscow -

Ministry o f External Affairs CNV Division

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Information Act

Reference note at FR from AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) regarding CICrsquos directives on appeal by Shri Anuj Dhar who was denied information requested concerning disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his whereabouts in the former USSRRussia i f any

2 Vide letter o f 020806 at FA Shri Dhar had requested for (a) certified copies o f complete correspondence between MEA and the Government o f USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referring to Our Embassyrsquos intervention with the Russian MFA in 199219951997 2001 and 2003 and (b) whether MEA sought information from the Russian side in a routine manner through issue o f Note Verbales or some serious efforts were made at a higher level

3 Vide issue o f 250806 at FB CPIO on the basis o f inputs from CNV Division replied to Shri Dhar conveying that (a) requests to the Governments o f the USSRRussia were made through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels and (b) requisite copies o f the correspondence sought cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under provisions of Clause 8(l)(a)amp (f) o f the RTI Act Under Clause8(1)(a) there is noobligation to give any citizen information disclosure o f which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity o f India the security strategic scientific or economic interests o f the State relation with foreign State or lead to incitement o f an offence Under Clause 8(l)(f) there is no obligation to give ldquoinformation received in confidence from foreign governmentrdquo

4 Shri Dhar vide his letter o f 230906 at FC had appealed to then Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) on the ground that the reasons given by the CPIO denying him the information aslced for are untenable With regard to the intervention with the USSRRussian Government for information on Netajirsquos disappearance Shri Dhar seeks to know if this matter was pursued at a higher (say Ministerial) level Regarding Ministryrsquos resort to Clause 8(l)(a) Shri Dhar wrote that this is not intelligible to him as to how correspondence dealing with the disappearance o f a national hero can be threat to India or its relations with USSR which does not exist and has been disowned by the successor state o f the Russian Federation He has also questioned as to why information received in this matter o f national importance should be confidential In response to the appeal C lW Division has conveyed to JS (Inf) and CPIO vide its note dated 011106 at FD that (a) the information sought for by Shri Dhar ie whether serious efforts were made with interventions at higher levels with the Russian Government to seek information on Netajirsquos disappearance does not constitute ldquoinformationrdquo as defined in the RTI Act and the question is anecdotal in nature and (b) that copies o f correspondence cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under the relevant clauses in the RTI Act Though there is no evidence on this NGO file it is our understanding that these views were conveyed by the Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) to Shri Dhar Presumably what was meant was that Shri Dhar was seeking the opinion o f the MEA as to whether the efforts made by GOl in its interventions with the Russian Government were serious or just routinely taken up Since such lsquoopinionrsquo is not covered under Clause 1(0 hence it cannot be construed as lsquoinformationrsquo

6 The undersigned has gone through all available records in NGO Section pertaining to correspondence with the USSRRussian Governments seeking information on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose In particular attention is drawn to a note recorded in December 1998 at FE on linked file giving the chronological background to suchcorrespondence starting from May 1990 in the Note for Supplementaries prepared for Rajya Sabha Starred Question No 174 for answer on 101298 dealing with the Asiatic Societyrsquos request for access to Russian archives It may also be seen from the attached

A

Anticipated Questions and their Answersrsquo that Ministry was willing to disclose the contents o f the Note Verbale received from the Russian Government in response to IUdiaji demarches regarding information on Netaji on the floor o f the House There is no i available on NGO files to indicate if such information was in fact disclosed on the flooi o f the House when the PQ was answered However the point to note is Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose such information As per the last line under Clause 8 o f RTI Act ldquoinformation which cannot be denied to the Parliament or the State legislature shall not be denied to any personrdquo Therefore if such information has already been disclosed on the floor o f the House or even by virtue o f Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose we may no deny such information requested by Shri Anuj Dhar

7 Chronologically the correspondence copies available on file and linked files and sought by Shri Dhar are listed as under

(a) NV No Nil dated 160991 from EI Moscow to MFA USSR Government at FF on linked file

(b) NV No 2YuA dated 080192 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at -FGv -- bullbullbulllaquo mdash bullbull

(c) NV No SA8395 dated 270795 from EI M oscow to MFA Russian Government at FH on linked file

(d) NV No 73YuA dated 271095 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at FI

(e) DO letter from CDA EI Moscow enclosing Amb Kotovrsquos letter to Amb Ronen Sen at FJ on linked file

(f) Record o f intervention by Russian Ambassador to India at a press IK lrsquo ltonffirericebnrsquo2i0296 at FK on linked file

(g) NV No N547 dated 200397 from Russian Defence Ministry to EI Moscow at FL

(h) NV No 19073DA dated 200303 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow aft FM and

(k) NV No 59542DA dated 061004 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow 4 FN

8 A perusaldf the available correspondence shows the continuous effort made by the Ministry through the Embassy in Moscow to obtain information available i f any on Netajirsquos whereabouts in Russia It also shows that such effort was made at very high levels even through correspondence between the Indian Ambassador to Russia and his Russian counterpart One such correspondence is even addressed to a private Indian citizen in Manipur and the same has been passed on to him by our Embassy in Moscow There is no evidence to suggest that such correspondence was received in confidence an not to be disclosed However it would be beyond the competence o f CNV Division to make such a judgment merely on perusal ofthe filesrecords available in NGO SectionAS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) may like to consult Eurasia Division and Embassy o f India Moscow on whether disclosure o f such information under RTI woulc be detrimental to bilateral relations

J)(Debnath ShaiO

X At Wi bull JS (CNV)09 April 20f)7

AS fPP) amp Aeffellate Authority TRTI)

fet L 0 k f t t U a k k f c v J y -TI 4 i t i

cn v w et oA 2 4 JhV oW ei w ttC a

i CIC c h t tfcVe (jEuTA4-IAJ jrteaitcrj At-jKCdh-al tjyin cm Mm+cpL

I M i i ) J L j i t

j J 7

i

-r-

31

FAXTo AS(PP)

MEA New Delhi Fax 91-11-23013387

From First Secretary (Pol) Indembassy Moscow

Rpti) DS[Russia] MEA

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tele 007-495-9163544 Fax 007- 495-9163632

With reference to DS[Russia]rsquos message regarding AS[PP]rsquos note to JS[CNV] No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 9 April 2007 on an appeal filed under No RTI act 2005

2 Please find faxed herewith currently available few copies of this Missionrsquos correspondence with local authorities on the subject We will send more m aterial if available by the earliest diplomatic bag

U ) U v tcrv-4 j

(Dr Suresh Babu) FS [Pol]

13042007

A

- P O C C H H C K A fl A K M E M H H HAYK ^

H H C T H T Y T B O C T O K O B E ^ E H H J I

___________ JV2 ____________________

H a JVs_____________________________ T To 1Justice Mukherji

Commission o f Inquiry M irza Ghalib Street

Kolkata

Dear Sir

This is to inform you that as per your request we have checked the Private

Archive o f Prof EYaLustemic in the Indian Center o f the Institute of Oriental

Studies Russian Academy o f Sciences Moscow

We regret to inform you that there is no document on Subash Chandra Bose

With sincere regards

(Shaumian TLHead the Indian Center o f the Institute o f Oriental Studies

Russian Academy o f SciencesM oscow)

26092005

l0303l(Plttgt CHO 103753 (MeacflyHapoflHbiH) MocKBa T C n yji PoxcnecTBeHKa12 Ten (095)921-1884 (095)925-6461 Oaicc (095)975-2396 E-mail ivran orcru

In contrast to Indian National Congress Bose and his activists basically counted on armed struggle and open cooperation against enemies of England - Germany Italy and Japan Bose dreamed about freedom for India through crushing defeat of Britain Bose could not do it himself so he linked activity of his troops and groups with assault of Germany on India from the West and Japan from the East The aim of Bose was to expedite the assault in all possible ways and reinforce it from inside by subversive Anti-English activity in India and if possible to attached nature o f mass anti-British revolt However at that time not all people considered his activity as ldquosubversiverdquo Fascism was not so popular in India at that time but racism and violence were condemned everywhere A lot of Indians were satisfied with telling blows delivered hateful center o f empire by axis countries in particular against the background of British demonstrative nonshyrecognition of Indian rights for self-determination J Nehru wrote about this period How can we conciliate two basic directions of our policy - opposition to British imperialism and opposition to fascism and nazism How can we adjust our nationalism with our internationalism That was a difficult question for us taking in view current situation However this question would not be difficult if the British Government take a step to show us its refusal from imperialistic policy in India and rely on peoplersquos good willrdquo

But it did not happen Indian public reacted accordingly Describing the psychological atmosphere in the country that time Jawaharlal Nehru wrote ldquoPeople were pushing out not by patriotic feelings but by their willingness to save themselves from an offense and the worstrdquo

So S Bose did not have any mass support but he could use the mood of majority for his own purposes Nehru wrote about it the following ldquoProtection of the imperialism which we were fighting with for such a long time seemed to be non-sense and impossible to usrdquo

Unofficial translation

ldquoMatsottardquo is obtaining Soviet visa

Instructions were really complicated It was necessary to send Subhas Chandra Bose to Germany He was wanted by Britain secret service colonial Administration and local police throughout India Bose was staunch and irreconcilable adversary of Great Britain and may be the most dangerous one at that time

Extracts of the book whiten by Yuri L Kuznets ldquoMarauders are quitting the gamerdquo

Published in 1992 by ldquoInterprakstrdquo Moscow

Of course Bose made his main counting on the military defeat of England at the time when Hitlerrsquos Germany had been already at the war with it and Japan was still neutral So Bose was interested in Berlin When Japan occupied Burma and came close to the Indiarsquos borders Bose reoriented to the Far East

In spring 1941 his ways crossed with Bhagat Ram Bose decided to shift from India to Berlin because some of his friends and relatives were arrested in India and he by himself also was wanted He needed Hitlerrsquos support including financial one Ports we under police control and departure trough one of them was very risky Bose took another way and in February came to Kabul He was accompanied by Bhagat Ram who was not a member o f Bosersquos organization he did not like axis-members but he was posted as Bosersquos escort by his party ldquoKirti Kissanrdquo because o f his knowledge of Phushtun zone which they had to cross as well as Afghanistan and Kabul He also had his own flat in Kabul - the premises which belonged to Ultam Chang and his shop It was supposed that Ram was doing a favour to Bose only due to their common aim - to weak British positions in India at most

Ram fulfilled his task Bose settled down in Kabul and started to make arrangements for the next step of his journey During war time he could come to Germany only through the territory o f USSR For this purpose he required a passport which he did not have German Embassy applied to the Italian one Italians considered the German request positively Bose got passport in respect of Italian citizen Mazzotta Holding this passport Bose applied to the Soviet Embassy for transit visa crossed the USSR territory and came to Berlin

Mazzotta disappeared But German Consulate General drew attention to Bhagat Ram who was introduced as a powerful Indian activist in Afghanistan and India with anti-British orientation It was o f interest and he was suggested to work for the German Secret Service German resident was satisfied with Ramrsquos past his contacts and mood especially because he was concerned about difficulties o f the anti-British activities in India shortage of agents and information as well as conspiratorial bases in India Bosersquos recommendation also helped Ram was thinking it would be important for me and my party to establish contacts with enemies of their enemies

Offer on co-operation was accepted Ram left German Consulate having 100 000 Indian Rupees in his pocket 12 guns and ballets Money and arms were required by the people whom Ram would be recruiting in India Since May 1941 after the German finished their checking Ram had become the main agent o f the German Secret Service in India

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337 Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 9 4 0 5 September 9 2005

The Em bassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Em bassyrsquos earlier Note Verbales on the visit of a delegation of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 20-30 2005 in connection with enquiring into the facts and circum stances relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

It is confirmed th a t all logistical arrangem ents for official JMCI delegation and the accompanying eight deponents would be facilitated by the Embassy with no financial implications to the Russian side

It would be appreciated if the decision of the esteemed Ministry on visas for the visiting team may kindly be expedited

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

Copy to Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

No 5830 2DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Notes No SA16605 of 08 August No SA17405 of 18 August and No SA17905 and No SA18005 of 26 August this year has the honour to inform as follows

Justice Mukherjee as a Head of the Delegation set up by the Government of India to inquire about life of Subhas Chandra Bose pertaining to the period from 1945 onwards as well as the accompanying delegation will be given access to the documents kept in the Reading Halls o f the Federal and State Archives of the Subjects o f the Russian Federation in Moscow St Petersburg Irkutsk and Omsk through the Federal Archives Agency of the Russian Federation All expenditures related to the arrangements for their visit air-passage accommodation transport and medical insurance etc should be borne by the Indian side The Federal Archive Agency requests to inform Mr MK Mukherjee of the addresses of Federal Archives given below

1 Russian State Archive for social and political history - 103 821 Moscow 15 B Dmitrovka Str Director - Kiril M Anderson Tel 229 97 26

2 Russian State Archive of Audio- Photo Documents - 143 400 Moscow Region Krasnogorsk 1 Rechnaya Str Director - Lyudmila P Zapryagaeva Tel 562 14 64 563 08 45

3 Russian State Archive for Phono Documents 105 005 Moscow3 2ya Baumanskaya Str Director - Vladimir A Kolyada Tel 261 13 00

4 Russian State Naval Archive - 191 186 St Perersburg 36 Millionnaya Str Director - Vladimir S Sobolev Tel (812)312 11 37

The Federal Archives Agency recommends the following for work with the documents o f

- Central State Archive of St Petersburg - to apply to St Petersburg Archives Committee (193 015 St Petersburg 39 Tavricheskaya Str) Chairman of the Committee - Mr Anatoly D Yashkov Tel (812) 271 44 55)

- State Archive of Omsk Region - to apply to the Archive Department of the Ministry for State and Legal Development o f Omsk Region Head - Ms Galina Yu Borodina (644 099 Omsk 1 Tretyakova Str) Tel (381-2) 25 57 26

- State Archive of Irkutsk Region - to apply to Archive Department of Irkutsk Region Head - Ms Nadezhda K Shestakova (664003 Irkutsk 36a Gorkogo Str) Tel (395-2) 24 06 42

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow ldquo 15 ldquo September 2005

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA Moscow

slvNon-paper

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P o c c h h Ndeg 2 5 5 7 2 amp A o t 1 8 0 7 2 0 0 5 r )

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poccHftcKHe KOMneTeHTHBie opraHbi npoBenH H C H epnbm aiom H e H3bicKaHHfl

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KOTOpbix 6bm BbWBJieH p a fl AOKyMeHTOB b KOTopbix ynoMHHajiocb h m s C H E o ca

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2004 r b apxHBax OCE 46-th CTpaHHHHbiH OKyMeHT)

B 3aK pbiTbix apxH BH bix (J)OHflax HaxoA5imHxcfl Ha TeppHTOpHH P o cchh ck o h

O e^epaHH H KaKHX-jinSo CBe^eHHH 0 CHEoce He o6HapygtKeHo

9

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow___ Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337

Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 8 0 0 5 August 26 2005

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Embassyrsquos earlier communications regarding the visit of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 18-30 2005

By way of background information given below are the relevant details of JMCI -

(i) The Government o f India Ministry o f Home Affairs New Delhi vide a gazette notification No S 0339(B) dated 14th May 1999 appointed Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry for Inquiry into the Alleged Disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under Section (3) o f the Commission o f Inquiry Act o f 1952 (60 o f 1952)

(ii) As per this notification Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry shall inquire into all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945 and subsequent developments connected therewith including-(a) whether Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is dead or alive(b) I f he is dead whether he died in the plane crash as alleged(c) Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are the ashes o f Netaji(d) Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and if

so when and how(e) I f he is alive in respect o f his whereabouts

(iii) The Commission shall also examine the manner in which the exercise o f Scrutiny o f Publications touching upon the question o f death or otherwise on Netaji can be undertaken by the Central Government in the circumstances

(iv) Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry is funded by the Ministry o f Home Affairs Government o f India and is an official Commission

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

Copy to M inistry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV t J 001

A MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS (PP) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of material immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

Deputy Secretary (Russia) Ph 23015199 Intercom 2285

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

Dr T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

T c J i h irvMUt(SOMNATH GHOSH)

Deputy Secretary Ministry of External Affairs

New Deifci

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 1^1002

( t

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No R T I-2 pound _ A S (P P )2 0 0 7

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance_of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anufpfiar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) 6t

Appellate Authority (RTI) 09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

g^py forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - H W U(Ajal Choudhfy)

1 o 7

0 v

j N lsquoaA gt ^ 1 ^

04 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV

MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS-iEP-) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of matenal immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

D tpu ij u su ta i J iu J o ia JPh 23015199 Intercom 228S

D r T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

h i 7-

_100pound 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 002

Most Immediate

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No RTI-HiLAS(PP) 2007

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed bv Shri Anul Dhar under RTI 200S - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anurbhar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC ------ = = = = mdash

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) amp

Appellate Authority (RTI)09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

JZopy forwarded to JS(Eurasla) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - t t U X f (Ajal ChoudMfy)

k

Buff 43402

Square C u t Raider A4 434Made in London

Blue 43403 Green 43404 Grey 43405 Orange 43406 Pink 43407 Red 43408 Yellow 43409 Mauve 43414

Page 5: V ' . . . Disci* wi/K 0*s*/ - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ...

(rough translation)

M in is try of Foreign A ffa irs R ussian Federation

No 2 YuA lsquo rsquo

The M in istry of Foreign A ffa irs of the Russian Federation presents its com plim ents to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the E m bassy s Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that accord ing to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no in form ation whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The M inistry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscov^ 8 January 1992

E m bassy of the R epublic o f India M oscow

laquo

M inistry of Foreign A ffairs of the Russian Federation

73Yu A

The M inistry of Foreign A ffa irs of the Russian Federation presents its com plim ents to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central A rchiva l Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents_of Modern H istory no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhush C handra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The M inistry of Foreign A ffa irs avails itself of this opportunity tc renew to the Em bassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 199

Em bassy of the Republic of India M oscow

A m b a s s a d o r o f l i id ia to the Russian Federation

D e a r R o n e n _

E n c l o s e d Y o u will f ind o u r n o t e c o n c e r n i n g S u b h a s h C h a n d r a

Do^e D o be l i e v e t h a t we ha ve t r i ed o u r bes t to d i s c ov e r any re le vant

a n y pos i t ive i n f o r m a t i o n on t h e sub j ec t of n o t t h e l east i m p o r t a n c e for

ha s n e v e r set foot o n t h e R u s s i a n soi l Ex t e n s i v e r e s e a r c h c a r r i ed out

u p o n t h e l ates t r e q u e s t o f Y o u r s c a n h a r d l y leave a ny d o u b t s to thlb

t h e I n d i a n pub l i c Al as by now it a p p e a r s tha t we c a n be s u r e t ha t NVtaj

S i n c e r e l y Y o u r s

Yu Kot ov

3 7 S ^

Intervention by HEMrAnatoly MDrukov mbassador of

Bress-conferenceie Foreign Correspondents Clu b

_______ b y ________ Ambassador of Russia in India during the gtress-conference on the 210296 in

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

information on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

much emotion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

copyEmbassy of India

Moscow

Deputy Secretary(Eurasia) has requested this Missionrsquos input on Part 2 of the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP seeking information under RTI Act 2005 whether Netaji Subash Chandra Bose is still alive in Okotoks Jail in Siberia and if notldquosought the information about the prisoner who has been lodged in Okotoks Jailrdquo

2 As per records available in the Mission Russian Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 informed that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose having stayed on the territory o f the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years

3 Copies o f following relevant correspondence received from Russian side are placed below -

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Ambassador YuKotov to Ambassador Ronen Sen (with enclosure)

4 DFA is placed below for approval pi

SS(Pol)892014

Counselfor(Pol)

I

E-MailFax

No MOSPOL125190 September 9 2014

From Indem bassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) from SS(Pol)

Please refer to your mail dated Sept 3 2014 seeking inputs on Part 2 o f the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose

2 Copies o f the follow ing relevant correspondence received from Russian side are attached-

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Amb Kotov to Amb Ronen Sen

3 It may be seen from the above papers that there is no r ^

particular ja il m entioned in the applicantrsquos query Henee - it would b e -pppmpriatR_to_rep ly -to -tho applicant that- nomdashstteh-- informationmdashismdash-available with -asv

a v a i l a b l e mdash ^ - ^ t h e stay o f Netaji Subash Chandra

W ith Regards

(Gopal Ram) Second Secretary (Pol)

C o u n s e llo r (P o litic a l)

Pag o f 1

I f I

From d irers ltd ire rs m eagovingtltm inpo l ind ianem bassyrugt

~ent W ednesday S ep tem ber 03 2014 1113 AM Attach IM G pdf Subject S P A M ldquo RTI MOST IMMEDIATE

For Counsellor (Pol)

Enclosed please find an RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate seeking information on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

It is requested that Missions inputs on Part 2 of the question raised in the RTI application may be sent to us at an early date

Regards

Pankaj Saxena Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) Ministry of External Affairs RoomNo235G South Block New Delhi-110 011 Tel 2301 4600

ltK

4 ^ A ^ c A U - f o -

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bull

932014

A l fr

p o litic a l d ip lo m a tic s o lu tio n H o w e v e r w e re fo c u s e d m ilita r i ly o n s t re n g th e n in g d e fe n s e o f o u r a llie s T h a t s o u r c o re ta s k R a s m u s s e n s a id b e fo re a m e e tin g w ith E U d e fe n s e m in is te rs

W e re r ig h t n o w c o n s id e r in g fu r th e r s te p s to s tre n g th e n o u r c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e A s I in d ic a te d th a t a ls o in c lu d e s w h a t I w o u ld ca ll a p p ro p r ia te d e p lo y m e n ts h e a d d e d c o m m e n tin g on th e c u rre n t a g e n d a

B u t its a b it to o e a r ly to g o in to d e ta ils a s to h o w w e w ill in c o n c re te te rm s s tre n g th e n c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e B u t no o n e s h o u ld d o u b t o u r d e te rm in a t io n to e n s u re in te n s iv e d e fe n s e a n d p ro te c tio n o f a ll a ll ie s R a s m u s s e n s ta te d w ith n o fu r th e r d e ta ils o n th e a ll ia n c e s p ro s p e c t iv e s tra te g y

S p e a k in g a t p r io r m e e tin g s th e S e c re ta ry -G e n e ra l a ls o v o ic e d c o n c e rn s a b o u t c la s h e s in e a s te rn U k ra in e b e tw e e n p ro - fe d e ra liz a t io n p ro te s te rs a n d fo rc e s lo y a l to th e g o v e rn m e n t c a llin g on R u s s ia to d e -e s c a la te th e c r is is a n d pu ll b a c k its la rg e n u m b e r o f tro o p s in c lu d in g s p e c ia l fo rc e s fro m th e a re a a ro u n d U k ra in e s b o rd e r w h ile w a rn in g th a t a n y fu r th e r R u s s ia n m ilita ry in te r fe re n c e w o u ld o n ly d e e p e n R u s s ia s in te rn a t io n a l is o la t io n

R u s s ia n F o re ig n M in is te r S e rg e i L a v ro v re je c te d W e s te rn a c c u s a t io n s th a t R u s s ia w a s b e h in d th e c r is is in s o u th e a s te rn U k ra in e s a y in g n e ith e r R u s s ia n s e c u r ity a g e n ts n o r s o ld ie rs h a v e b e e n d e p lo y e d to th e re g io n

T h e M in is try s a id th a t N A T O is a tte m p tin g to u s e th e U k ra in ia n c r is is a s an im a g in a ry th re a t to u n ite th e a ll ia n c e s m e m b e rs p u s h in g fo r R u s s ia s is o la t io n

Updated headline quote in paras 2 3

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M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Tel 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u s rs m e a g o v in

WI (AD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u F S (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P lease find a ttached a self-exp lanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f Subhash C hand ra Bose u n d er the R T I Act for kind necessary action a t your end

ahul S hrivastava) U n d er S ecre tary 7 Janu ary 2 0 0 8

No RTI5517606Ministry of External Affairs

( RTI Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquos note WI (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content of the note was conveyed to the Information Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government of

j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russian 1 Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the National

Achieve o f India

We have received a communication to this effect from the CIC which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(AK Nag) JS (Wei amp Inf) amp CPIO

December 18 2007

In fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r

gt O P KEJARIWAL fe laquoft-110067 B lo ck-IV 5 th F lo o r O ld JN U C a m p u s

N e w D e lh i-1 1 0 0 6 7 T ele fax 26717351

C entra In fo rm a t io n C o m m is s io n

November 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T I5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian Governm ent for disclosure of the N eta ji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar We have now received a le tte r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N eta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portan t from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere ind iv idualrsquos in terest He suggests and reuests therefore that this m ateria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India from abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m a tte r t h erefore is pursued w ith the I Russian G overnm ent so th a t w hatever m ateriah s o f va lue a nd in te rest to India m ay com e to us especially in the present case

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) Ministry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

Yours sincerely

(OP Kejariw al)

To 26 November 2007

Dr OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner Central Information Commission Old JNU Campus New Delhi - 110067

Subject R eq u est to Ind ian Errbassy to procure p ost-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian arch ives

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter NoR TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2007 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision N oC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made v this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the

Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Embassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

i

2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing ruies or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at times provide information A request from the Embassy of India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

^ would not yvant this exercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant records are identified the Embassy may procure them for the National Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India

since they are likely to provide a never befc 3 insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world w a r for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n L ____2 63 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mayzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez iden ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)[A rch ive o f the P res id en t o f the R uss ian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lsk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606-13-33 Fax (495 ) 606 -19 -66

2 Is to riko-dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del R F (ID D M ID) [H is torico-D ocum enta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in is try o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o lenska ia -S enna ia p loshchad 3234 Tel (495) 244-32-19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i po litik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (A V P RF)[A rch ive o f Fore ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241-04-80

4 Tsen tra lrsquonyi a rkh iv M in is te rs tva o bo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f D e fense]142100 M oskovskaia ob las t P odo lrsquosk ul K irova 74 Tel (495) 715-90-05 (0967) 54-00-03

5 G lavno je R azvedyva te lno je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilitary In te lligence D irecto ra te arch ives Address not know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 TsentraPnyi a rkh iv Federa lno i s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (TsA FSB R ossjj)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F edera l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzhby vneshne i razvedki RF (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)[O perational A rch ive o f the Fore ign In te lligence S erv ice ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 5110Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 245 -33 -68 Fax (495) 247-05-29

8 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (TsA M VD R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In te rna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovocherem ushk inska ia 67 (Archive) ul Zoi i A leksa nd ra K osm odem iansk ikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-90

2

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7 Jan 2008 1626

NameFax Number

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C

L i

DIRlt ERS)MEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1626 P0105

M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Te l 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u srs m eag o v in

WI(AJD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u FS (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P le as e find a ttached a self-explanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f S ubhash C hand ra Bose under the RT Act for kind necessary action a t your end

lahul S h rivastava) U n d e rs e c re ta ry 7 J a n u a ry 2 0 0 8

DIR(ERS gtMEflRNQ235C 7 Jan 2008 16=26 P020b

No RTI5517606 Ministry of External Affairs

( RTX Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquo s note W I (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser o f complete correspondence

with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash | Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content o f the note was conveyed to the Information j Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant bull The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government o f j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russiani Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the Nationali bull

W e have received a communication to this effect from the CIC

i s J

Achieve o f India

which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(A K Nag) JS (W ei amp Inf) amp CPIO1

December 18 2007

DIR( ERS gtMEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1627 P 0305

gt O P KEJARIWALSTTJprf

-MiX TR 4 58 cfcr TPTT

fcc=6ft11 0 0 6 7 Biock-lV 5th Floor Oki JNU Campus

I n fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r New Delhi-110067 Telefax 26717351

Centra Information Commission

Novem ber 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T 5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian G overnm ent fo r disclosure of the N etaji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar W e have now received a le t te r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N e ta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portant from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere individuals in terest He suggests and reuests th ere fo re that this m a te ria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India f rom abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m atte r therefore is pursued w ith the Russian Governm ent so th a t w hatever m ateria l is of va lue and interest to India may come toTis especially in the present case

Yours sincerely

(O P Kejariw al)

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) M inistry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C 7 Jan 2008 16 = 2 P 0405

02 6 N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 7

Dr OP Kejariwal information Com missioner Central Information Commission

+ Old JNU Campus N ew Delhi - 110067

Subject R e q u e s t to Ind ian Em bassy to procure post-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian a rc h ive s

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter N o R TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2 0 07 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTi Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision NoC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

lt think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Em bassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

4 2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing rules or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at tim es provide information A request from the Embassy o f India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

I would not w ant this e xercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant fcS ords s re identified the Em bassym ay procure them fo rtheN atTonal Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India since they are likely to provide a never befc s insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

1

DIR ( ERS) ME ARN0235C7 Jan 2008 16=27

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world war for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n t 2 6 3 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mazzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez idsn ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)Archive o f th e P re s id e n t o f the R ussian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lrsquosk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606 -13 -33 Fax (495) 606-19-66

2 Is to riko -dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del RF (ID D M ID) [H is to rico -D ocum en ta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in istry o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o ie nska ia -S en n a ia p loshchad rsquo 3234 Tel (495) 244 -32 -19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i p o lit ik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (AVP RF)[A rch ive o f Fo re ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241 -04 -80

4 Tsen tra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva obo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f th e M in is try o f D e fense] - bull -142100 M oskovska ia o b la s t P odo lsk ul K irova74 Tel (495 )715-90-05 (0 9 6 7 )5 4 -0 0 -0 3

5 G lavno je R a zve dyva te ln o je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilita ry In te lligence D irectora te a rch ives A ddress no t know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv FederaPnoi s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (T sA FS B R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F e de ra l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzh by vneshne i razvedki R F (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)(O perational A rch ive o f the F o re ign In te lligence Service ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 51 10Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 2 4 5 -33 -6 8 Fax (495) 247-05-29

Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (T sA M VD R ossii)[Central A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In terna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovoche rem ushk inska la 67 (Archive) ul Z o i i A le ksa n d ra K osm odem ianskikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-30

ffs

amp-3gt) i c y v

Embassy of India Moscow(Political Wing) f t

r r v ^Subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with USSRRussia over the

disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 reg

Reference remarks made by the Ambassador on FR a letter from JS (Wei ampInf) addressed to Shri OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner copy endorsed to Min (Pol) on the above subject

Back ground of the case On receipt o f a copy o f AS (PP )rsquo s Note No RTI- 36AS(PP)07 dated 942007 on the above subject Mission vide fax dated 130407 forwarded few copies o f Missionrsquos correspondence with the local authorities on the subject to AS(PP) -------- At F A

Subsequently on receipt o f JS(ERS)rsquo s letter No 1 lJS(ERS)2007 dated 20407 enclosed with A S (PP )rsquo s Note No 30AS(PP)07 amp JS(CNV)rsquo s Note along with copies o f correspondence available in CNV Division on the subject Mission has sent a Note Verbale No SA8907 dated 1752007 to Russian Foreign Ministry requesting for the views o f the Russian side whether the information provided by them could be released to the appellant -------At FB

Documents provided by Russian side and forwarded to the Commission

(i) Documents initially provided by the Russian side attached with Note Verbale No1423 DA dated 28h June 2001 which was forwarded to the Ministry on August

31 2001 may please be seen a t-----FC in the linked file

(ii ) On the basis of an affidavit submitted to the Justice Mukherjee Commission a Note Verbale No SA25904 dated December 22 2004 was sent to the M FA and reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 13142 DA dated 4 March 2005 enclosed with a copy of letter from Mr V Sayadyants to the Soviet Ambassador to Iran Mr IV Sadchikov regarding the political situation in India in 1946 may please be seen a t--------FD in the linked file

Response of the Russian side

( i) A reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 42952 DA dated 2262007 stating therein that ldquo the documents from Russian Archives handed over in June 2001 were for official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up by it for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo This was conveyed to the Ministry vide letter No MOSPOL125190 dated 472007 --------At FE

P2

2

Again on receipt o f a copy o f the decision o f Central Information Commission vide No RTI5517606 dated 22082007 (At FF) Mission took up the matter with M FA vide Note Verbale No SA17307 dated 1892007 for which a reply was received vide No 42952DA dated 11007 reiterating their view that the documents from RussianArchives were submitted exclusively for official use by the GOI including Thiswas conveyed to the Ministry vide E-gram dated 10102007-----At FG

Submitted as desired by Min (Pol) please

2

f^TT FTRTTM IN ISTR Y O F E X TE R N A L A F FA IR S

NEW D ELH I

Dated 2nd November 2007 I gt gt v

gt ldquo $

NoRTI551762006

Shri OP KejariwalInformation Commissioner Central Information Commission Club Building Old JNU Campus New Delhi-110 067 bull

Subject- Disclosure o f complete correspondenc e with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RT[ Act 2005

SirAs per directives o f the Honrsquoble Central Information

Commission contained in Para 13 o f the decisioNoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi seeking certified copies o f the complete correspondence this Ministry had with the Governments of the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

9 ^ 2 Our Embassy in Moscow again approached the Government of Russian Federation to get their consent to the disclosure o f documents under reference but the Government of Russian Federation reiterated that documents were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government o f India for investigation o f Netajee Subhash Chandra Bose disappearance

3 However they state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note o f the Embassy can approach the authorities o f the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy o f India for permission to get to know the M aterials deposited in Federal and State Archives o f the Russian Federation

OV-

g ji)

j d L

Yours faithfully

(AK Nag) Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer

_ f

- i V lt L

Copy for information forwarded to-

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110 018

2 Director(ERS) Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi with reference to his Note NoW l(AD)5511007 dated 25102007

Minister (Pol) Embassy o f India Moscow

Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp Central Public Information Officer

N o W l(A D ) 5 5 1 1 0 0 7 M inistry o f External A ffa irs

(ERS D ivision)

W ith re ference your N ote No R T I5 5 1 7 6 0 6 dated 2 2 8 2 0 0 7 to JS (E R S ) regarding d isclosure o f com plete correspondence w ith the USSRRussia o v e r th e d is a p p e a ra n c e o N e ta ji S u b h a s h C h a n d ra B o s g u n d e r R T I A c t 2005 p lease find enclosed th e unofficial translation o f th e note verb ale dated 1 0 c to b e r rsquo0 7 sent by R ussian M inistry o f Foreign Affairs in reply to the note verbale sent by our E m bassy in M o scow on the subject

(A rya S an d e e p ) D irector (E R S )

2 5 O ctob er 2 0 0 7

JS (W ei amp Inf ampCentral Public In form ation O fficer

v C op y to M in ister (Pol) E m bassy o f India M oscow

U n o ffic ia l T ra n s la tio n

Quote

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highest consideration

Moscow 01st October 2007

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

For official use only

E-GRAM

NoMOSPOL 125 190 laquo y October 10 2007

From To

Indembassy Moscow Foreign New Delhi

AStERS) from Minister (Poll

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

Q u o teUnofficial translation

Moscow 01st October 2007

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

sd-(Dr Subhakanta Behera)

Minister (Political)

a I JH

NICEMAIL r^T^X Page 1 o f 1

y

Current Folder SentMaill y II

I - Compose rsquo^ Addresses ^ Folders EOptions gt Search ^ H e lp sij^Fetch ^ss^Calen

Message List | Delete | Edit Previous I Next Forward I Forward as Attachment | Reply | Reply A ll Message as N ew ------------1 ----------- 1-------------------------------- 1 ldquo r J 1

Subject Message from EI MoscowFrom dcmmoscowmeagovinDate Wed October 10 2007 110 pm

To jsersmeagovinPriority NormalOptions V iew Full Header | V iew Printable V ersion | Add to Addressbook

Attachments

untitled -[l] Ok [texthtm l] download | view

MQS10100716dth 175 k [ applicationoctet-stream ] download

10)0o

NoMOSpOL125190 October 10 2007

From Indernbassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

AS(BRS) from Minister (Pol)

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

Q u o teUnofficial translation

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of

September 20o7 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22laquod of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

For official use only

1

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

Moscow 01st October 2007

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Minister (Political)

No64682DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and

the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 da ted the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

In add ition to the Note o f the M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion No 429 5 2D A dated the 22 nd o f June 2007 in form tha t docum ents from R ussian a rch ives w ere subm itted e xc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the

the Com m issionAfor investiga tion o f N eta jee S ubhas C handra B ose d isappea rance d e ta iis ^s ta b lis h e d by the G ove rnm en t o f IndiaD

p TU-Indian c itizen m en tioned in the Note o f the E m bassy has ^ f fg h t th rough the E m b a s sy tfo request and to fee- get to k n o w ^ a te r ia ls depos ited in Federa l and S ta te A rch ives o f the R ussian F ede ra tion w ith the perm iss ion o f its authorities

The M in is try ava ils th is opportun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest conside ra tion

M oscow 01st O ctober 2007

A ppend ix N ote N o4295 2D A

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

ampJk i A

lAK i

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No42952DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and quo ting the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 dated the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

D ocum ents from R ussian a rch ives m entioned in the N ote o f the E m bassy w ere subm itted in particu lar in June 2001 exc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the use by the C om m iss ion fo r inves tiga tion o f N e ta jee S ubhas C handra Bose d isappea rance deta ils estab lished by the G ove rnm en t o f India

W e a lso in form tha t the access to Federa l and S ta te A rch ive s o f the R ussian Federa tion is a llow ed w ith the perm iss ion o f Federa l a rch ives A g en cy (R osarch ives) the read ing in read ing room s o f concre te a rch ives w ith th e perm ission o f a rch ives s truc tu res au tho rities o f co rrespond ing bod ies on the basis o f appea l o f E m bassies sc ien tific research ins titu tes and pub lic o rgan iza tions

The M in is try ava ils th is oppo rtun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest considera tion

M oscow 02nd June 2007

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

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MOSCOWriOCOIbCTBO HhaMM

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18 September 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure of entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

J rThe Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent

vdeg a u th o r ity (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sidersquos view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set

^ up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji V A Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not

^ disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if suchaterial could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry it

could be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissionrsquos work is over Thecompetent authority is of the opinion that the material in question could be disclosed

W ^ deg the Appellant They further advised the Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi to formal clearance for the disclosure of the entire material on the above subject

J ^ ^ ^ f r o r y ^ e ^ i l i s s i a n side

- esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure of the above material maylease be communicated to this Mission at an early date

-

f

mbassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to tfte ^ in ijP r^W f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ^ of the Russian F e d e r ^ J ^(2nd Asia Department) 4 - 1 ^ gt i Csy~~~ aM o s c o w 1

6-8 yn BopoHUOBO rioie 131940 r MocKBa

Ten 007-095-783-75-35 007-095-783-75-34

wwwindianembassyru

tjgt2 t 007-095-916-36- 3 2 007-095-975-23-37

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR

JS(WelampInf) amp Central Public Information Officer has forwarded u s the CIC decision with request to initiate action in accordance with p a ra -13 th e Information Commission is all for disclosure of the material The CIC does not see any reason why the m aterial should not be disclosed now to any researcher since the Justice Mukherjee Commissionrsquos work is over Accordingly it has advised the Ministry of External Affairs to seek the formal clearance from the Russian authorities in the m atter

2 DCMrsquos last comm unication with JS(ERS) was made on 4th July 2007 DCM had forwarded the translation of the note verbale received from the Russian Foreign Office

3 In the light of above we may again send a note verbale to the Foreign Office in accordance with p a ra -13 of the CIC decision

Subm itted please

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

Sept 13 2007

NoSA17307 $ September 2007

The Embassy o f India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure o f entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

The Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent authority (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sides view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if such material could be made available to the Justice Mukheerjee Commission for inquiry they see no reason why-thisO material should iw k be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissions work is over The competent authority is of the ifem opinion that the material in question should be disclosed to the Appellant They further advised the Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi to obtain formal clearance for the disclosure o f the entire material on the above subject from the Russian side

The esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure o f the above material may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2nd Asia Department) Moscow

No R TI5517606 Ministry o f External Affairs

(RTI Division)

Subject - Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

Please find enclosed herewith Central Information Com m issionrsquos decision NoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar o f New Delhi

2 It is requested that necessary action may please be initiated in accordance with para-13 o f the CIC decision

EnclAs above

JS (Eiirasia)

(AiC Nag) Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer22-08-2007

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X H bull ( 0 r h

gf if raquofn2(gt0Dy N o pound 3 amp RTI D1V200gt

Central Information Commission ilaquoWDlaquoted4i^USd|ampL~

sect $ I| | i yyNoCICOKA200600671

Dated 10 August 2007

Name of the Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar263 Kangra NiketanVikaspuri New Delhi - 110 018

Name of the Public Authority Ministry of External Affairs

Background

Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi filed an application with the PIO Ministry of

External Affairs on 2 August 2006 for seeking certified copies of the complete

correspondence the Ministry of External Affairs had with the Governments of

the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash

Chandra Bose

2 The PIO vide his letter dated 25 August 2006 informed the Appellant that

the request to the Government of USSR and the Russian Federation were made

through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels The PiO also stated that the

requisite copies of the correspondence could not be disclosed at it involves the

relations with a foreign State and so was exempt from disclosure as per the

provisions of Clause 8(1 )(a)amp(f) of the RTI Act

3 Dissatisfied with the reply of the PIO the Appellant filed an appeal with

the first Appellate Authority on 23 September 2006 who vide his letter dated 6

November 2006 again denied disclosure of the documents taking recourse to the

Section 8(1 )(a) and (i) The bench of Dr OP Kejariwal Information

mmissioner heard the matter on 23 March 2007

4 The main stand of the Respondents to the information sought by the

Appellant which is regarding the correspondence between India and the

Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia was that this

information could not be disclosed as it was likely to affect the countryrsquos

relationship with another State On making enquiries from the Respondents it

was clear that this correspondence had neither been seen nor been examined

by an expert to come to such a conclusion Therefore the Commission felt

that the Applicantrsquos application had been treated casually

5 The Commission then directed the Respondents to first have this

correspondence examined by their own experts and if need be by an outside

expert who they could rely on and then take a firm decision In case the

experts came to the conclusion that the applicability of the denial clause was

not relevant in the case the material could be disclosed to the Appellant

However in case the Respondents came to the conclusion that the relations

between the Governments of india and Russia would be affected through the

disclosure of this information the Commission would like the issue to be

settled only after a reference had been made to the Government of Russia

6 The matter was taken up for a second hearing by the bench of Dr OP

Kejariwal Information Commissioner on 10 August 2007

7 Shri AK Naag Joint Secretary (Inf amp Wei) amp CPIO and Shri Nand

Kishore Under Secretary (RTI) represented the Respondents

8 The Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar was present in person

Decision

9 The Commission heard both the sides During the hearing the

Respondents stated before the Commission that they had received a response

from the Government of the Russian Federation Moscow in pursuance of the

Commissionrsquos earlier Order in the matter dated 23 March 2007

10 This letter stated ldquoaccording to the correspondence received from the

Embassy of India Moscow the Russian Foreign Office has stated that the

documents handed over by them in June 2001 were meant only for the GOIrsquos

official use and for the work of the Commission in investigations into the

disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo

11 During the hearing the Appellant stated that his request included the

entire correspondence between the Governments of India and the USSR

regarding nf NPtajirsquos disappearance The Commission accepted this

request and directed the Respondents to clearly mention this while seeking the

approval of the Russian authorities for disclosure of this material

12 Also during the hearing the Appellant made a plea for a copy of the

letter received by the Ministry of External Affairs resulting from the application

that he had made on the issue The Commission saw no objection in this

request and directs the Respondents to supply a copy of this letter to the

Appellant

13 The Commission further feels that if the material could be made

available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the

disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be

disclosed now to any Researcher now that that Commissionrsquos work is over The

information Commission therefore is all for disclosure of this material to the

Appellant However it advises the Ministry of External Affairs to seek a formal------ ------ - _ ____________ ___

clearance from the Russian Authorities in the matter

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110018

Shri AK Nag Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) a Central Public Information Officer Room No 207 Akbar Bhawan Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110021

3 Shri Ajay Choudhary Additional Secretary amp Appellate Authority Room No 144 C South Block Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110011

4 Officer Incharge NSC

5 Press E Group CIC

(OP Kejariwal) Information Commissioner

Cc

The Statesman

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17 August 2007

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01

[ India ]-

Netaji filesrsquo disclosure ordered

New Delhi Aug 16 The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the external affairs ministry to disclose its correspondence with the erstwhile USSR over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra BoseldquoThe Commission feels that if the material could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be disclosed to any researcher nowrdquo information commissioner Mr OP Kejariwal saidThe Commission made this observation while hearing Mission Netajirsquos plea for certified copies of the complete correspondence between India and the USSR over Netajirsquos disappearance in 1945 The CIC in its decision relied on a letter from officials in Moscow that said the documents which were handed over to India were meant for ldquoofficial use and for the work o f the Mukherjee Commission n PTI

Discussion on this Ind ia itemDisclaimer These are Internet generated discussion threads for which the The Statesman has no responsibilityNo discussions on this item

t o P os

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Usernar

Passwo

New

9 fM raquo f -

m m m m

O ther India

Cabinet nod to new farm scheme

Q case CBI m ay cancel notice

Thaw in Left-UPA ties

Keshubhai joins rebels

http wwwthestatesmannetpagenewsphpclid=2amptheme=ampusrsess=lampid=l 66383 8172007

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raquo

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR and noting of FS(Pol) thereon

2 It seems the Russian Foreign Office does not want to add anything beyond what they have already pu t in the note verbale of Ju n e 22 2007 However if the said note verbale is read together with the bilateral Agreement of 2000 it becomes clear th a t there is no bar oft supplying confidential information to persons asking for the sam e According to Article 3b ot the Agreement decisions to hand over particular classified information shall be taken by the Parties on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the laws of their States

3 Moreover as a scrutiny of the correspondences between the SovietRussian and Indian sides shows they do not contain any sensitive information All the correspondences convey the result of the search in the Russian Archives Perhaps tha t is why JS(CNV) was inclined to suggest the disclosure of the correspondences

4 Given my positive view on the m atter for disclosure of the correspondences I would however like to propose tha t the Ministry may be sent a copy of the note verbale received from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to take into cognizance of the Agreement of 2000 before taking any final decision on the m atter If needed LampT Division in the Ministry may also be consulted

Subm itted please

(r

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

July 3 2007

No 42952DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation and in reference to the Note SA8907 dated 17th May 2007 has honour to inform the following -

The documents from Russian archives referred to in the Embassyrsquos note in particular handed over in June 2001 for official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set up by it for the investigation of circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

cm)

a

W e further inform that the access to materials belong to federal and state archives of the Russian Federation is given with the consent of Federal Agency of Achieves (Rosarchiv) and permission to work in reading halls of agency archives is given by authorities of archives belong to concerned agencies on direct requests by embassies scientific amp research institutions and social organizations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation assurances of its highest consideration

^ ft o j L (vLoo jP xjlJ~plt~ Moscow 22 June 2007

J ~ L 1 ^ mdash -J - ~ ^

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NoS -^ V JS (E R S )0 7

I

9 hTIclt o agtA

P ^ gt r^ yV lt gt V gilaquo )laquo A ^ t Ministry o f External AffairsSouth Block New D elh i-110 011 M ail jsers m eagovin

J L ^ 7 7 0 A A t u - Phone 23017411

PhFax 2 3 0 1 9 2 2

j 3 gt kC ) h ^ Alt 5 ^ ^ M-V r Vw

T his is w ith reference to m y le tter no 11 J S (E R S)2007 d a ted April 20 2007 regard ing a req u e s t m ade u n d e r ldquoRight to in form ationrdquo (copy enclosed for ready reference) It is req u ested th a t th e R u ssian s id e rsquos resp o n se m ay kindly be in tim ated^atjan early da te ^ ^

rajj-vMaaS

Y ours sincerely

(Dr J Bhagwati

X ^h ri D ivyabh M an ch an d a D eputy C hief of M ission E m bassy of Ind ia Moscow

Copy to

AS(PP) JS(CNV)

(Dr J Bhagwati)

No 11 JS (E R S ) 2 0 0 7

Deari

Please refer to AS (PP) an d Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 M arch 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence betw een the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra B osersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E u rasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm w ith the R ussian side w hether they would have any objection to release of correspondence received from them on th is subject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos response m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

S d -(Dr J Bhagwati)

Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) A^(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

S

20 April 2007h

( Dr J Bhagwati )

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tel 7837535 Fax 9752337

NoSA8907 17 May 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 2YuA dated 8 January 1992 and subsequent correspondence (viz No 73YuA dated 27 October 1995 N 547 dated 20 March 1997 19073DA dated 20 March 2003 and 59542DA dated 6 October 2004) including a letter from Ambassador Yu Kutov regarding information about the reported stay of a former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

An Indian citizen had filed a petition under the Right to Information Act 2005 for obtaining all informationdocuments relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The information obtained from the Russian side was denied to the appellant at that time

^Thereupon an appeal was filed by the concerned citizen and currently the V Government of India is considering whether the informationdocuments

-t obtained from Russian authorities on the subject could be released toappellant Views of the Russian side whether the information provided by

( them could be released to the appellant would be essential for the^ f Government of India to take decision on the matter

The esteemed Ministryrsquos views on the matter may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the

s of its highest consideration

f V Ministry of Foreign AffairsL o f the Russian Federation

cr - A sia Department) ^V ^^(V io sco w

A V

Ministry o f External Affairs South Block N ew D elh i-110 011 Mail jsers m eagovinMail jsers m ea Phone 23017411

i]r

Phone 23017411 PhFax 23011922

S e c r e t

No H JS (E R S )2007

Dear L b ]

Please refer to AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence between the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra Bosersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E urasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm with the R ussian side w hether they would have

amp any objection to release of correspondence received from them on thissubject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos re~sponse m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

^Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) AS(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

( Dr J B hagw ati)

V

V No^5AS(PP)2007

Right to Inform atioi Timt

Most Im

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)rsquos Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Inform ation Act 2 005

Shri Anuj Dhar had initially requested this Ministry last year requesting form information on the following two points-

1 Certified copies of complete correspondence the MEA has had with the Governments o f the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

2 Confirmation on whether the Ministry had sought information from the erstwhile Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation by merely issuing Notes Verbale or some serious efforts were ever made at a higher (say Ministerial) level to uncover the mystery surrounding the fate of Netaji

filed an appeal with the CIC The appeal was considered by the CIC on 23 March 2007 The CIC has directed that the Ministry should have the documents under reference carefully examined by a panel of experts to determine whether the information sought by the applicant can be given or not

While we have not received the final decision of the Commission this would a time-bound exercise and it is therefore requested that JS(CNV) may please make the records available to me for a preliminary examination so that expeditious action can be taken on receipt of the formal decision of the CIC

The information was denied to Shri Dhar by this Ministry whereupon he

(AjAdditional Secretary (PP) fit

Appellate Authority (RTI) 28 March 2007

JS(CNV)

Copy forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with the request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me as soon as possible

o f iHC-ifl no 3 20 HOO bull rsquobull bullP

vrrwr 5fn tnrvtEMBASSY OF IN D IA

6-0 Ulitsa Obukha M O S C O W

Tel No 237-0820

t t v

Septe mb er 16 1991

The Embassy of I nd ia presents its compli me nt s to the Mi nistry of For ei gn Aff ai rs of the USSR and has the ho nour to enclose her ew it h a c o ll ect io n opound documents or NetSji S ub ha sh C h an d ra B o s e at one time a President of the Ind-ior N at io na l C o n g r e s s and a leading fig are in ths Indian freedom movement received from H r _ Ch it ts S s s u M em b er of P ar l ia m en t and Gene ra l Secretary All r d i a Forward Bloc a group founded by Meta ji Subhas-i X h 3 n d r a Fgt = $ e ord at present a c o n s t it ue n t of tne Left Front G o v e r n shyment in the Indian state of West Bengal

2 In these d o c u me n ts there are su ggestions quotingthe then Soviet A m b a s s a d o r in Kabul and the Soviet Vice Consu l in T e h er an to the effect that Netaji Subhash Chandra

itighr have found his way to the Soviet Union after the alleged ae ro p la n e cr as h in August 1 9 A 5 As recently as March 5 I990 The H i n d u s t a n Time an Indian daili n e w s p a p e r quoted a scholar of the Soviet Institute if Or ie nt al S t ud ie s to the effect t h a t there are t c S o v i e t sc ho la rs who have applied to tne Covernen-c of the US Sr for pe rm is si on to e xa min e cla ss if ie d documents

3- In the light of the current policy on Soviet nationala r ch i ve s the Embassy of India would appreciate if an rate- rial that sheds light on the fate of Netaji Subhush Chandra Dose in the a rch iv es of S ov ie t or ga nisations including s ec u r i t y o r g a ni s at io ns is made available to the Embassy of India

A The Ere bossy of India n vails itself of this opportunityto renew to the M i n s t r y of Foreign Affairs of the USSH the a s s u r a n c e s of its highest c on si deration

Seal

M i n i t r y of Foreign Af fa ir s Covernment of USSRM o s c o bullgt

E rc 1 a s a b o v e

if nI

(rough translation)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation

No ZAuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that according to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no information whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow8 January 1992

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

trrlter r_ EM B A S S Y OF INDIA6-8 Ulitsa Voiomsovo Polyo

N o S A 8 3 9 5 July 27 19SS

The Embassy of India presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to correspondence resting with their Note Verbaie No 2YuA of S January 15S2 regarding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Enclosed is a booklet which contends that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may have come to the former Soviet Union in 1945 There has teen further speculation in this context reportedly on the basis of archival materials In view of this it would be highly appreciated if ail materials available on the subject couid be examined for a final determination on whether or not Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose entered or stayed anywhere in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 or subsequently

The Embassy of India avails itself of tnis opportunity to renew to tne Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration - bull -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (South Asia Department) Moscow

v

(Unofficial T ransl

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

73YuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central Archival Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents^of Modern History no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to

renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 1995

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1995 Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years W e have now been informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory otthe former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador Kotov forwarding the note categorically asserts th a t we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soilrdquo and that extensive research can hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovrsquos letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

2 I would like you to please bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

(Pripuran Singh Haer)

0 M0 5 F f l I I 0 bull rsquo 1 ~ 6 C

Pripuran Singh Haer Charge dAffaires

MOSPOL125190

r o h o11 bull i bull r o j o o r i

trn s laquoPi j a r m rrcsl p - igt llsquo7EM B A S S Y OF INDIA

6-8 U l iu a Votomsovo PolyM O S C O W

Tel No S i 7-CS20 Tolex 413409 INDEMSU

Tgts Fa bullbull-9 3

October 31 19S5

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1SSS Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years We have now bee informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1595 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is nc

s informatcn whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory cf the formeSoviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador

ji Kotov forwarcing the note categorically asserts that we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soil and that extensive research can

1 hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovsbullvu letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

v jf2 1 wouid iike you to piesse bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

kt (Pripuran Singh Haer)

Shri R L Narayan Joint Secretary (EE) Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi

diams i iL Mr Ror on Sen Arnba ssador of Ind ia to th e R u s s i a n F e d e r a t i o n

D e a r R o n e n

E n c lo sed Y o u will find o u r no te c o n c e rn in g S u b h a sh C h a n d ra

Bose D o bel ieve th a t we have t r ied o u r best to discover any relevant

I actsU n f o r tu n a te ly I a m p ro fo u n d ly d is t ressed being u n a b le to provide

t any posi t ive in f o r m a t i o n on th e subject o f no t th e least im p o r t a n c e for

the In d ia n public Alas by now it a p p e a r s that we can be su re tha t Netnj has neve r set foot o n th e R u ss ia n soil Extensive re sea rch car r ied out

u p o n th e latest r eq u es t o f Y o u r s can h a rd ly leave any d oub ts to lhgt

effect

S in ce re ly Y ours Y a K o t o v

w

r lt W 3 lt tfr s t pound 2 3 i

Intervention by H EM rAnatoly MDrukov Ambassador of Russia in India during the

eress-conference on the 210296 in le Foreign Correspondentsrsquo Club__________

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is

deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people

who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73Y uA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

inform ation on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

m uch em otion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

j i

gt J -

i

Directorate of Foreign Relatilt Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

March 20 1997

N 547

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to you and has the honour to forward herewith the letter of Mr L Joychandra Singh addressed a second time to the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

In reply to this repeated query the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence (CAMD) of the Russian Federation has pointed out that there is no other data relating to the fate of Subhash Chandra Bose besides the information conveyed to you vide letter No1843 dated October 28 1996 (enclosing No222672 of the CAMD)

We request you to kindly inform Mr L Joychandra Singh of the above reply from the Archives

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Military Wing of the Embassy of India in Moscow the assurances of its highest consideration

Military Attache in the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation

Brig D Singh

No 19073DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federations presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassyrsquos note verbale No SA 1003 dated 8 January 2003 and the Ministryrsquos note verbale No 1423DA dated 28 June 2001 has the honour to inform you about the following

A search was conducted for documents related to the fate ofSCBose in the following federal archives

Russian State Military Archive (RGVA) Russian State Archives of Socio-Political History (RGASPI) State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) and Russian State Historical Archives of the Far East (RGIA DV) The information requested for was not found in the GARF RGVA and RGIA DV archives

Copies of the documents found in the RGIA DV Archives were sent to the Embassy in 2001

No information has been found about the fate of SC Bose in the Central Archives of the Russian FSB the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in the m anuscript section of the Russian State Library or in the Russian State Archives of Photographic Documents (RGAKFD)

We would also like to inform th a t the personnel archives of Eva Yakovlevna Lyusternik were sent after her death to the Russian Academy of Sciencesrsquo Institute of Oriental Studies and the open part of the archival m aterial on IV Stalin was sent from the archives of the President of the Russian Federation to RGASPI

The Ministry would like to use th is opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

M inistry of Foreign AtlairsR u ssian F ed eratio n

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Moscow 20th March 2003

^ M la iet ja Affaireo f the deration

No S 9 5 4 2 A A

The M inistry of Foreign Affairs of th e R ussian Federation p resen ts its com plim ents to the Em bassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and in continuation of Note No 55382XA dated Septem ber 14 2004 h as the honour to intorm th a t Information sought on the fate of Ind iarsquos p rom inent political figure Netaji S u b h ash C hand ra Bose was no t found in the C entral Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia

The M inistry avails of th is opportun ity to renew to the Em bassy the a ssu ra n ce s of its highest consideration

M oscow October 6 2004

E m bassy o f th e Republic o f India M oscow -

Ministry o f External Affairs CNV Division

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Information Act

Reference note at FR from AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) regarding CICrsquos directives on appeal by Shri Anuj Dhar who was denied information requested concerning disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his whereabouts in the former USSRRussia i f any

2 Vide letter o f 020806 at FA Shri Dhar had requested for (a) certified copies o f complete correspondence between MEA and the Government o f USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referring to Our Embassyrsquos intervention with the Russian MFA in 199219951997 2001 and 2003 and (b) whether MEA sought information from the Russian side in a routine manner through issue o f Note Verbales or some serious efforts were made at a higher level

3 Vide issue o f 250806 at FB CPIO on the basis o f inputs from CNV Division replied to Shri Dhar conveying that (a) requests to the Governments o f the USSRRussia were made through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels and (b) requisite copies o f the correspondence sought cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under provisions of Clause 8(l)(a)amp (f) o f the RTI Act Under Clause8(1)(a) there is noobligation to give any citizen information disclosure o f which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity o f India the security strategic scientific or economic interests o f the State relation with foreign State or lead to incitement o f an offence Under Clause 8(l)(f) there is no obligation to give ldquoinformation received in confidence from foreign governmentrdquo

4 Shri Dhar vide his letter o f 230906 at FC had appealed to then Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) on the ground that the reasons given by the CPIO denying him the information aslced for are untenable With regard to the intervention with the USSRRussian Government for information on Netajirsquos disappearance Shri Dhar seeks to know if this matter was pursued at a higher (say Ministerial) level Regarding Ministryrsquos resort to Clause 8(l)(a) Shri Dhar wrote that this is not intelligible to him as to how correspondence dealing with the disappearance o f a national hero can be threat to India or its relations with USSR which does not exist and has been disowned by the successor state o f the Russian Federation He has also questioned as to why information received in this matter o f national importance should be confidential In response to the appeal C lW Division has conveyed to JS (Inf) and CPIO vide its note dated 011106 at FD that (a) the information sought for by Shri Dhar ie whether serious efforts were made with interventions at higher levels with the Russian Government to seek information on Netajirsquos disappearance does not constitute ldquoinformationrdquo as defined in the RTI Act and the question is anecdotal in nature and (b) that copies o f correspondence cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under the relevant clauses in the RTI Act Though there is no evidence on this NGO file it is our understanding that these views were conveyed by the Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) to Shri Dhar Presumably what was meant was that Shri Dhar was seeking the opinion o f the MEA as to whether the efforts made by GOl in its interventions with the Russian Government were serious or just routinely taken up Since such lsquoopinionrsquo is not covered under Clause 1(0 hence it cannot be construed as lsquoinformationrsquo

6 The undersigned has gone through all available records in NGO Section pertaining to correspondence with the USSRRussian Governments seeking information on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose In particular attention is drawn to a note recorded in December 1998 at FE on linked file giving the chronological background to suchcorrespondence starting from May 1990 in the Note for Supplementaries prepared for Rajya Sabha Starred Question No 174 for answer on 101298 dealing with the Asiatic Societyrsquos request for access to Russian archives It may also be seen from the attached

A

Anticipated Questions and their Answersrsquo that Ministry was willing to disclose the contents o f the Note Verbale received from the Russian Government in response to IUdiaji demarches regarding information on Netaji on the floor o f the House There is no i available on NGO files to indicate if such information was in fact disclosed on the flooi o f the House when the PQ was answered However the point to note is Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose such information As per the last line under Clause 8 o f RTI Act ldquoinformation which cannot be denied to the Parliament or the State legislature shall not be denied to any personrdquo Therefore if such information has already been disclosed on the floor o f the House or even by virtue o f Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose we may no deny such information requested by Shri Anuj Dhar

7 Chronologically the correspondence copies available on file and linked files and sought by Shri Dhar are listed as under

(a) NV No Nil dated 160991 from EI Moscow to MFA USSR Government at FF on linked file

(b) NV No 2YuA dated 080192 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at -FGv -- bullbullbulllaquo mdash bullbull

(c) NV No SA8395 dated 270795 from EI M oscow to MFA Russian Government at FH on linked file

(d) NV No 73YuA dated 271095 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at FI

(e) DO letter from CDA EI Moscow enclosing Amb Kotovrsquos letter to Amb Ronen Sen at FJ on linked file

(f) Record o f intervention by Russian Ambassador to India at a press IK lrsquo ltonffirericebnrsquo2i0296 at FK on linked file

(g) NV No N547 dated 200397 from Russian Defence Ministry to EI Moscow at FL

(h) NV No 19073DA dated 200303 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow aft FM and

(k) NV No 59542DA dated 061004 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow 4 FN

8 A perusaldf the available correspondence shows the continuous effort made by the Ministry through the Embassy in Moscow to obtain information available i f any on Netajirsquos whereabouts in Russia It also shows that such effort was made at very high levels even through correspondence between the Indian Ambassador to Russia and his Russian counterpart One such correspondence is even addressed to a private Indian citizen in Manipur and the same has been passed on to him by our Embassy in Moscow There is no evidence to suggest that such correspondence was received in confidence an not to be disclosed However it would be beyond the competence o f CNV Division to make such a judgment merely on perusal ofthe filesrecords available in NGO SectionAS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) may like to consult Eurasia Division and Embassy o f India Moscow on whether disclosure o f such information under RTI woulc be detrimental to bilateral relations

J)(Debnath ShaiO

X At Wi bull JS (CNV)09 April 20f)7

AS fPP) amp Aeffellate Authority TRTI)

fet L 0 k f t t U a k k f c v J y -TI 4 i t i

cn v w et oA 2 4 JhV oW ei w ttC a

i CIC c h t tfcVe (jEuTA4-IAJ jrteaitcrj At-jKCdh-al tjyin cm Mm+cpL

I M i i ) J L j i t

j J 7

i

-r-

31

FAXTo AS(PP)

MEA New Delhi Fax 91-11-23013387

From First Secretary (Pol) Indembassy Moscow

Rpti) DS[Russia] MEA

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tele 007-495-9163544 Fax 007- 495-9163632

With reference to DS[Russia]rsquos message regarding AS[PP]rsquos note to JS[CNV] No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 9 April 2007 on an appeal filed under No RTI act 2005

2 Please find faxed herewith currently available few copies of this Missionrsquos correspondence with local authorities on the subject We will send more m aterial if available by the earliest diplomatic bag

U ) U v tcrv-4 j

(Dr Suresh Babu) FS [Pol]

13042007

A

- P O C C H H C K A fl A K M E M H H HAYK ^

H H C T H T Y T B O C T O K O B E ^ E H H J I

___________ JV2 ____________________

H a JVs_____________________________ T To 1Justice Mukherji

Commission o f Inquiry M irza Ghalib Street

Kolkata

Dear Sir

This is to inform you that as per your request we have checked the Private

Archive o f Prof EYaLustemic in the Indian Center o f the Institute of Oriental

Studies Russian Academy o f Sciences Moscow

We regret to inform you that there is no document on Subash Chandra Bose

With sincere regards

(Shaumian TLHead the Indian Center o f the Institute o f Oriental Studies

Russian Academy o f SciencesM oscow)

26092005

l0303l(Plttgt CHO 103753 (MeacflyHapoflHbiH) MocKBa T C n yji PoxcnecTBeHKa12 Ten (095)921-1884 (095)925-6461 Oaicc (095)975-2396 E-mail ivran orcru

In contrast to Indian National Congress Bose and his activists basically counted on armed struggle and open cooperation against enemies of England - Germany Italy and Japan Bose dreamed about freedom for India through crushing defeat of Britain Bose could not do it himself so he linked activity of his troops and groups with assault of Germany on India from the West and Japan from the East The aim of Bose was to expedite the assault in all possible ways and reinforce it from inside by subversive Anti-English activity in India and if possible to attached nature o f mass anti-British revolt However at that time not all people considered his activity as ldquosubversiverdquo Fascism was not so popular in India at that time but racism and violence were condemned everywhere A lot of Indians were satisfied with telling blows delivered hateful center o f empire by axis countries in particular against the background of British demonstrative nonshyrecognition of Indian rights for self-determination J Nehru wrote about this period How can we conciliate two basic directions of our policy - opposition to British imperialism and opposition to fascism and nazism How can we adjust our nationalism with our internationalism That was a difficult question for us taking in view current situation However this question would not be difficult if the British Government take a step to show us its refusal from imperialistic policy in India and rely on peoplersquos good willrdquo

But it did not happen Indian public reacted accordingly Describing the psychological atmosphere in the country that time Jawaharlal Nehru wrote ldquoPeople were pushing out not by patriotic feelings but by their willingness to save themselves from an offense and the worstrdquo

So S Bose did not have any mass support but he could use the mood of majority for his own purposes Nehru wrote about it the following ldquoProtection of the imperialism which we were fighting with for such a long time seemed to be non-sense and impossible to usrdquo

Unofficial translation

ldquoMatsottardquo is obtaining Soviet visa

Instructions were really complicated It was necessary to send Subhas Chandra Bose to Germany He was wanted by Britain secret service colonial Administration and local police throughout India Bose was staunch and irreconcilable adversary of Great Britain and may be the most dangerous one at that time

Extracts of the book whiten by Yuri L Kuznets ldquoMarauders are quitting the gamerdquo

Published in 1992 by ldquoInterprakstrdquo Moscow

Of course Bose made his main counting on the military defeat of England at the time when Hitlerrsquos Germany had been already at the war with it and Japan was still neutral So Bose was interested in Berlin When Japan occupied Burma and came close to the Indiarsquos borders Bose reoriented to the Far East

In spring 1941 his ways crossed with Bhagat Ram Bose decided to shift from India to Berlin because some of his friends and relatives were arrested in India and he by himself also was wanted He needed Hitlerrsquos support including financial one Ports we under police control and departure trough one of them was very risky Bose took another way and in February came to Kabul He was accompanied by Bhagat Ram who was not a member o f Bosersquos organization he did not like axis-members but he was posted as Bosersquos escort by his party ldquoKirti Kissanrdquo because o f his knowledge of Phushtun zone which they had to cross as well as Afghanistan and Kabul He also had his own flat in Kabul - the premises which belonged to Ultam Chang and his shop It was supposed that Ram was doing a favour to Bose only due to their common aim - to weak British positions in India at most

Ram fulfilled his task Bose settled down in Kabul and started to make arrangements for the next step of his journey During war time he could come to Germany only through the territory o f USSR For this purpose he required a passport which he did not have German Embassy applied to the Italian one Italians considered the German request positively Bose got passport in respect of Italian citizen Mazzotta Holding this passport Bose applied to the Soviet Embassy for transit visa crossed the USSR territory and came to Berlin

Mazzotta disappeared But German Consulate General drew attention to Bhagat Ram who was introduced as a powerful Indian activist in Afghanistan and India with anti-British orientation It was o f interest and he was suggested to work for the German Secret Service German resident was satisfied with Ramrsquos past his contacts and mood especially because he was concerned about difficulties o f the anti-British activities in India shortage of agents and information as well as conspiratorial bases in India Bosersquos recommendation also helped Ram was thinking it would be important for me and my party to establish contacts with enemies of their enemies

Offer on co-operation was accepted Ram left German Consulate having 100 000 Indian Rupees in his pocket 12 guns and ballets Money and arms were required by the people whom Ram would be recruiting in India Since May 1941 after the German finished their checking Ram had become the main agent o f the German Secret Service in India

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337 Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 9 4 0 5 September 9 2005

The Em bassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Em bassyrsquos earlier Note Verbales on the visit of a delegation of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 20-30 2005 in connection with enquiring into the facts and circum stances relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

It is confirmed th a t all logistical arrangem ents for official JMCI delegation and the accompanying eight deponents would be facilitated by the Embassy with no financial implications to the Russian side

It would be appreciated if the decision of the esteemed Ministry on visas for the visiting team may kindly be expedited

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

Copy to Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

No 5830 2DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Notes No SA16605 of 08 August No SA17405 of 18 August and No SA17905 and No SA18005 of 26 August this year has the honour to inform as follows

Justice Mukherjee as a Head of the Delegation set up by the Government of India to inquire about life of Subhas Chandra Bose pertaining to the period from 1945 onwards as well as the accompanying delegation will be given access to the documents kept in the Reading Halls o f the Federal and State Archives of the Subjects o f the Russian Federation in Moscow St Petersburg Irkutsk and Omsk through the Federal Archives Agency of the Russian Federation All expenditures related to the arrangements for their visit air-passage accommodation transport and medical insurance etc should be borne by the Indian side The Federal Archive Agency requests to inform Mr MK Mukherjee of the addresses of Federal Archives given below

1 Russian State Archive for social and political history - 103 821 Moscow 15 B Dmitrovka Str Director - Kiril M Anderson Tel 229 97 26

2 Russian State Archive of Audio- Photo Documents - 143 400 Moscow Region Krasnogorsk 1 Rechnaya Str Director - Lyudmila P Zapryagaeva Tel 562 14 64 563 08 45

3 Russian State Archive for Phono Documents 105 005 Moscow3 2ya Baumanskaya Str Director - Vladimir A Kolyada Tel 261 13 00

4 Russian State Naval Archive - 191 186 St Perersburg 36 Millionnaya Str Director - Vladimir S Sobolev Tel (812)312 11 37

The Federal Archives Agency recommends the following for work with the documents o f

- Central State Archive of St Petersburg - to apply to St Petersburg Archives Committee (193 015 St Petersburg 39 Tavricheskaya Str) Chairman of the Committee - Mr Anatoly D Yashkov Tel (812) 271 44 55)

- State Archive of Omsk Region - to apply to the Archive Department of the Ministry for State and Legal Development o f Omsk Region Head - Ms Galina Yu Borodina (644 099 Omsk 1 Tretyakova Str) Tel (381-2) 25 57 26

- State Archive of Irkutsk Region - to apply to Archive Department of Irkutsk Region Head - Ms Nadezhda K Shestakova (664003 Irkutsk 36a Gorkogo Str) Tel (395-2) 24 06 42

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow ldquo 15 ldquo September 2005

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA Moscow

slvNon-paper

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P o c c h h Ndeg 2 5 5 7 2 amp A o t 1 8 0 7 2 0 0 5 r )

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P o c c h h c k o h O e jep a n H H (3aKOH 06 apxHBHOM fle jie o t 2 0 0 4 r ) p a 6oTa c

HepacceKpeHeHHbiM H jjoKyMeHTaMH pa3pemeHa j i h h i l c i p o r o o n p e^ e jieH H o n

K aTeropH H jihh 6e3 b c h k h x HCKjiioneHHH 3 t o K acaeT ca He to j ib k o

npe^cT aB H T eneH f lp y r a x ro c y n a p c T B h o h rp aac^ aH P o c c h h c k o h O e ^ e p a ip iH

H c x o ^ h H3 flpyacecTBeHHoro xapaKTepa p o c c h h c k o - h h a h h c k h x OTHOineHHH

H npHHHMafl BO BHHMaHHe 3HaHHMOCTb 3TOH TeMBI RJIX HHflHHCKOH CTOpOHbl

poccHftcKHe KOMneTeHTHBie opraHbi npoBenH H C H epnbm aiom H e H3bicKaHHfl

apxHBHBix M aTepH anoB 3a nepH O ^ c 4 0 -x qo cep e^ H H b i 5 0 - x i t b pe3yjibT aT e

KOTOpbix 6bm BbWBJieH p a fl AOKyMeHTOB b KOTopbix ynoMHHajiocb h m s C H E o ca

Bee o h h b KonHH nepe^aHbi h h ^ h h c k o h CTopoHe (b H a crao c T H HaHjeHHbiH b

2004 r b apxHBax OCE 46-th CTpaHHHHbiH OKyMeHT)

B 3aK pbiTbix apxH BH bix (J)OHflax HaxoA5imHxcfl Ha TeppHTOpHH P o cchh ck o h

O e^epaHH H KaKHX-jinSo CBe^eHHH 0 CHEoce He o6HapygtKeHo

9

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow___ Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337

Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 8 0 0 5 August 26 2005

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Embassyrsquos earlier communications regarding the visit of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 18-30 2005

By way of background information given below are the relevant details of JMCI -

(i) The Government o f India Ministry o f Home Affairs New Delhi vide a gazette notification No S 0339(B) dated 14th May 1999 appointed Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry for Inquiry into the Alleged Disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under Section (3) o f the Commission o f Inquiry Act o f 1952 (60 o f 1952)

(ii) As per this notification Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry shall inquire into all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945 and subsequent developments connected therewith including-(a) whether Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is dead or alive(b) I f he is dead whether he died in the plane crash as alleged(c) Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are the ashes o f Netaji(d) Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and if

so when and how(e) I f he is alive in respect o f his whereabouts

(iii) The Commission shall also examine the manner in which the exercise o f Scrutiny o f Publications touching upon the question o f death or otherwise on Netaji can be undertaken by the Central Government in the circumstances

(iv) Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry is funded by the Ministry o f Home Affairs Government o f India and is an official Commission

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

Copy to M inistry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV t J 001

A MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS (PP) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of material immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

Deputy Secretary (Russia) Ph 23015199 Intercom 2285

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

Dr T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

T c J i h irvMUt(SOMNATH GHOSH)

Deputy Secretary Ministry of External Affairs

New Deifci

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 1^1002

( t

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No R T I-2 pound _ A S (P P )2 0 0 7

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance_of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anufpfiar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) 6t

Appellate Authority (RTI) 09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

g^py forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - H W U(Ajal Choudhfy)

1 o 7

0 v

j N lsquoaA gt ^ 1 ^

04 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV

MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS-iEP-) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of matenal immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

D tpu ij u su ta i J iu J o ia JPh 23015199 Intercom 228S

D r T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

h i 7-

_100pound 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 002

Most Immediate

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No RTI-HiLAS(PP) 2007

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed bv Shri Anul Dhar under RTI 200S - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anurbhar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC ------ = = = = mdash

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) amp

Appellate Authority (RTI)09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

JZopy forwarded to JS(Eurasla) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - t t U X f (Ajal ChoudMfy)

k

Buff 43402

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Page 6: V ' . . . Disci* wi/K 0*s*/ - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ...

M inistry of Foreign A ffairs of the Russian Federation

73Yu A

The M inistry of Foreign A ffa irs of the Russian Federation presents its com plim ents to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central A rchiva l Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents_of Modern H istory no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhush C handra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The M inistry of Foreign A ffa irs avails itself of this opportunity tc renew to the Em bassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 199

Em bassy of the Republic of India M oscow

A m b a s s a d o r o f l i id ia to the Russian Federation

D e a r R o n e n _

E n c l o s e d Y o u will f ind o u r n o t e c o n c e r n i n g S u b h a s h C h a n d r a

Do^e D o be l i e v e t h a t we ha ve t r i ed o u r bes t to d i s c ov e r any re le vant

a n y pos i t ive i n f o r m a t i o n on t h e sub j ec t of n o t t h e l east i m p o r t a n c e for

ha s n e v e r set foot o n t h e R u s s i a n soi l Ex t e n s i v e r e s e a r c h c a r r i ed out

u p o n t h e l ates t r e q u e s t o f Y o u r s c a n h a r d l y leave a ny d o u b t s to thlb

t h e I n d i a n pub l i c Al as by now it a p p e a r s tha t we c a n be s u r e t ha t NVtaj

S i n c e r e l y Y o u r s

Yu Kot ov

3 7 S ^

Intervention by HEMrAnatoly MDrukov mbassador of

Bress-conferenceie Foreign Correspondents Clu b

_______ b y ________ Ambassador of Russia in India during the gtress-conference on the 210296 in

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

information on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

much emotion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

copyEmbassy of India

Moscow

Deputy Secretary(Eurasia) has requested this Missionrsquos input on Part 2 of the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP seeking information under RTI Act 2005 whether Netaji Subash Chandra Bose is still alive in Okotoks Jail in Siberia and if notldquosought the information about the prisoner who has been lodged in Okotoks Jailrdquo

2 As per records available in the Mission Russian Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 informed that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose having stayed on the territory o f the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years

3 Copies o f following relevant correspondence received from Russian side are placed below -

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Ambassador YuKotov to Ambassador Ronen Sen (with enclosure)

4 DFA is placed below for approval pi

SS(Pol)892014

Counselfor(Pol)

I

E-MailFax

No MOSPOL125190 September 9 2014

From Indem bassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) from SS(Pol)

Please refer to your mail dated Sept 3 2014 seeking inputs on Part 2 o f the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose

2 Copies o f the follow ing relevant correspondence received from Russian side are attached-

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Amb Kotov to Amb Ronen Sen

3 It may be seen from the above papers that there is no r ^

particular ja il m entioned in the applicantrsquos query Henee - it would b e -pppmpriatR_to_rep ly -to -tho applicant that- nomdashstteh-- informationmdashismdash-available with -asv

a v a i l a b l e mdash ^ - ^ t h e stay o f Netaji Subash Chandra

W ith Regards

(Gopal Ram) Second Secretary (Pol)

C o u n s e llo r (P o litic a l)

Pag o f 1

I f I

From d irers ltd ire rs m eagovingtltm inpo l ind ianem bassyrugt

~ent W ednesday S ep tem ber 03 2014 1113 AM Attach IM G pdf Subject S P A M ldquo RTI MOST IMMEDIATE

For Counsellor (Pol)

Enclosed please find an RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate seeking information on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

It is requested that Missions inputs on Part 2 of the question raised in the RTI application may be sent to us at an early date

Regards

Pankaj Saxena Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) Ministry of External Affairs RoomNo235G South Block New Delhi-110 011 Tel 2301 4600

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W e re r ig h t n o w c o n s id e r in g fu r th e r s te p s to s tre n g th e n o u r c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e A s I in d ic a te d th a t a ls o in c lu d e s w h a t I w o u ld ca ll a p p ro p r ia te d e p lo y m e n ts h e a d d e d c o m m e n tin g on th e c u rre n t a g e n d a

B u t its a b it to o e a r ly to g o in to d e ta ils a s to h o w w e w ill in c o n c re te te rm s s tre n g th e n c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e B u t no o n e s h o u ld d o u b t o u r d e te rm in a t io n to e n s u re in te n s iv e d e fe n s e a n d p ro te c tio n o f a ll a ll ie s R a s m u s s e n s ta te d w ith n o fu r th e r d e ta ils o n th e a ll ia n c e s p ro s p e c t iv e s tra te g y

S p e a k in g a t p r io r m e e tin g s th e S e c re ta ry -G e n e ra l a ls o v o ic e d c o n c e rn s a b o u t c la s h e s in e a s te rn U k ra in e b e tw e e n p ro - fe d e ra liz a t io n p ro te s te rs a n d fo rc e s lo y a l to th e g o v e rn m e n t c a llin g on R u s s ia to d e -e s c a la te th e c r is is a n d pu ll b a c k its la rg e n u m b e r o f tro o p s in c lu d in g s p e c ia l fo rc e s fro m th e a re a a ro u n d U k ra in e s b o rd e r w h ile w a rn in g th a t a n y fu r th e r R u s s ia n m ilita ry in te r fe re n c e w o u ld o n ly d e e p e n R u s s ia s in te rn a t io n a l is o la t io n

R u s s ia n F o re ig n M in is te r S e rg e i L a v ro v re je c te d W e s te rn a c c u s a t io n s th a t R u s s ia w a s b e h in d th e c r is is in s o u th e a s te rn U k ra in e s a y in g n e ith e r R u s s ia n s e c u r ity a g e n ts n o r s o ld ie rs h a v e b e e n d e p lo y e d to th e re g io n

T h e M in is try s a id th a t N A T O is a tte m p tin g to u s e th e U k ra in ia n c r is is a s an im a g in a ry th re a t to u n ite th e a ll ia n c e s m e m b e rs p u s h in g fo r R u s s ia s is o la t io n

Updated headline quote in paras 2 3

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u s rs m e a g o v in

WI (AD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u F S (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P lease find a ttached a self-exp lanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f Subhash C hand ra Bose u n d er the R T I Act for kind necessary action a t your end

ahul S hrivastava) U n d er S ecre tary 7 Janu ary 2 0 0 8

No RTI5517606Ministry of External Affairs

( RTI Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquos note WI (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content of the note was conveyed to the Information Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government of

j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russian 1 Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the National

Achieve o f India

We have received a communication to this effect from the CIC which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(AK Nag) JS (Wei amp Inf) amp CPIO

December 18 2007

In fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r

gt O P KEJARIWAL fe laquoft-110067 B lo ck-IV 5 th F lo o r O ld JN U C a m p u s

N e w D e lh i-1 1 0 0 6 7 T ele fax 26717351

C entra In fo rm a t io n C o m m is s io n

November 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T I5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian Governm ent for disclosure of the N eta ji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar We have now received a le tte r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N eta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portan t from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere ind iv idualrsquos in terest He suggests and reuests therefore that this m ateria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India from abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m a tte r t h erefore is pursued w ith the I Russian G overnm ent so th a t w hatever m ateriah s o f va lue a nd in te rest to India m ay com e to us especially in the present case

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) Ministry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

Yours sincerely

(OP Kejariw al)

To 26 November 2007

Dr OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner Central Information Commission Old JNU Campus New Delhi - 110067

Subject R eq u est to Ind ian Errbassy to procure p ost-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian arch ives

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter NoR TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2007 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision N oC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made v this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the

Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Embassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

i

2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing ruies or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at times provide information A request from the Embassy of India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

^ would not yvant this exercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant records are identified the Embassy may procure them for the National Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India

since they are likely to provide a never befc 3 insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world w a r for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n L ____2 63 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mayzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez iden ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)[A rch ive o f the P res id en t o f the R uss ian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lsk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606-13-33 Fax (495 ) 606 -19 -66

2 Is to riko-dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del R F (ID D M ID) [H is torico-D ocum enta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in is try o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o lenska ia -S enna ia p loshchad 3234 Tel (495) 244-32-19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i po litik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (A V P RF)[A rch ive o f Fore ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241-04-80

4 Tsen tra lrsquonyi a rkh iv M in is te rs tva o bo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f D e fense]142100 M oskovskaia ob las t P odo lrsquosk ul K irova 74 Tel (495) 715-90-05 (0967) 54-00-03

5 G lavno je R azvedyva te lno je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilitary In te lligence D irecto ra te arch ives Address not know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 TsentraPnyi a rkh iv Federa lno i s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (TsA FSB R ossjj)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F edera l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzhby vneshne i razvedki RF (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)[O perational A rch ive o f the Fore ign In te lligence S erv ice ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 5110Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 245 -33 -68 Fax (495) 247-05-29

8 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (TsA M VD R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In te rna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovocherem ushk inska ia 67 (Archive) ul Zoi i A leksa nd ra K osm odem iansk ikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-90

2

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7 Jan 2008 1626

NameFax Number

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C

L i

DIRlt ERS)MEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1626 P0105

M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Te l 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u srs m eag o v in

WI(AJD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u FS (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P le as e find a ttached a self-explanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f S ubhash C hand ra Bose under the RT Act for kind necessary action a t your end

lahul S h rivastava) U n d e rs e c re ta ry 7 J a n u a ry 2 0 0 8

DIR(ERS gtMEflRNQ235C 7 Jan 2008 16=26 P020b

No RTI5517606 Ministry of External Affairs

( RTX Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquo s note W I (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser o f complete correspondence

with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash | Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content o f the note was conveyed to the Information j Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant bull The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government o f j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russiani Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the Nationali bull

W e have received a communication to this effect from the CIC

i s J

Achieve o f India

which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(A K Nag) JS (W ei amp Inf) amp CPIO1

December 18 2007

DIR( ERS gtMEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1627 P 0305

gt O P KEJARIWALSTTJprf

-MiX TR 4 58 cfcr TPTT

fcc=6ft11 0 0 6 7 Biock-lV 5th Floor Oki JNU Campus

I n fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r New Delhi-110067 Telefax 26717351

Centra Information Commission

Novem ber 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T 5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian G overnm ent fo r disclosure of the N etaji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar W e have now received a le t te r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N e ta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portant from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere individuals in terest He suggests and reuests th ere fo re that this m a te ria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India f rom abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m atte r therefore is pursued w ith the Russian Governm ent so th a t w hatever m ateria l is of va lue and interest to India may come toTis especially in the present case

Yours sincerely

(O P Kejariw al)

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) M inistry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C 7 Jan 2008 16 = 2 P 0405

02 6 N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 7

Dr OP Kejariwal information Com missioner Central Information Commission

+ Old JNU Campus N ew Delhi - 110067

Subject R e q u e s t to Ind ian Em bassy to procure post-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian a rc h ive s

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter N o R TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2 0 07 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTi Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision NoC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

lt think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Em bassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

4 2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing rules or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at tim es provide information A request from the Embassy o f India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

I would not w ant this e xercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant fcS ords s re identified the Em bassym ay procure them fo rtheN atTonal Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India since they are likely to provide a never befc s insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

1

DIR ( ERS) ME ARN0235C7 Jan 2008 16=27

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world war for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n t 2 6 3 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mazzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez idsn ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)Archive o f th e P re s id e n t o f the R ussian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lrsquosk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606 -13 -33 Fax (495) 606-19-66

2 Is to riko -dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del RF (ID D M ID) [H is to rico -D ocum en ta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in istry o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o ie nska ia -S en n a ia p loshchad rsquo 3234 Tel (495) 244 -32 -19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i p o lit ik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (AVP RF)[A rch ive o f Fo re ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241 -04 -80

4 Tsen tra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva obo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f th e M in is try o f D e fense] - bull -142100 M oskovska ia o b la s t P odo lsk ul K irova74 Tel (495 )715-90-05 (0 9 6 7 )5 4 -0 0 -0 3

5 G lavno je R a zve dyva te ln o je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilita ry In te lligence D irectora te a rch ives A ddress no t know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv FederaPnoi s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (T sA FS B R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F e de ra l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzh by vneshne i razvedki R F (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)(O perational A rch ive o f the F o re ign In te lligence Service ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 51 10Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 2 4 5 -33 -6 8 Fax (495) 247-05-29

Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (T sA M VD R ossii)[Central A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In terna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovoche rem ushk inska la 67 (Archive) ul Z o i i A le ksa n d ra K osm odem ianskikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-30

ffs

amp-3gt) i c y v

Embassy of India Moscow(Political Wing) f t

r r v ^Subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with USSRRussia over the

disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 reg

Reference remarks made by the Ambassador on FR a letter from JS (Wei ampInf) addressed to Shri OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner copy endorsed to Min (Pol) on the above subject

Back ground of the case On receipt o f a copy o f AS (PP )rsquo s Note No RTI- 36AS(PP)07 dated 942007 on the above subject Mission vide fax dated 130407 forwarded few copies o f Missionrsquos correspondence with the local authorities on the subject to AS(PP) -------- At F A

Subsequently on receipt o f JS(ERS)rsquo s letter No 1 lJS(ERS)2007 dated 20407 enclosed with A S (PP )rsquo s Note No 30AS(PP)07 amp JS(CNV)rsquo s Note along with copies o f correspondence available in CNV Division on the subject Mission has sent a Note Verbale No SA8907 dated 1752007 to Russian Foreign Ministry requesting for the views o f the Russian side whether the information provided by them could be released to the appellant -------At FB

Documents provided by Russian side and forwarded to the Commission

(i) Documents initially provided by the Russian side attached with Note Verbale No1423 DA dated 28h June 2001 which was forwarded to the Ministry on August

31 2001 may please be seen a t-----FC in the linked file

(ii ) On the basis of an affidavit submitted to the Justice Mukherjee Commission a Note Verbale No SA25904 dated December 22 2004 was sent to the M FA and reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 13142 DA dated 4 March 2005 enclosed with a copy of letter from Mr V Sayadyants to the Soviet Ambassador to Iran Mr IV Sadchikov regarding the political situation in India in 1946 may please be seen a t--------FD in the linked file

Response of the Russian side

( i) A reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 42952 DA dated 2262007 stating therein that ldquo the documents from Russian Archives handed over in June 2001 were for official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up by it for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo This was conveyed to the Ministry vide letter No MOSPOL125190 dated 472007 --------At FE

P2

2

Again on receipt o f a copy o f the decision o f Central Information Commission vide No RTI5517606 dated 22082007 (At FF) Mission took up the matter with M FA vide Note Verbale No SA17307 dated 1892007 for which a reply was received vide No 42952DA dated 11007 reiterating their view that the documents from RussianArchives were submitted exclusively for official use by the GOI including Thiswas conveyed to the Ministry vide E-gram dated 10102007-----At FG

Submitted as desired by Min (Pol) please

2

f^TT FTRTTM IN ISTR Y O F E X TE R N A L A F FA IR S

NEW D ELH I

Dated 2nd November 2007 I gt gt v

gt ldquo $

NoRTI551762006

Shri OP KejariwalInformation Commissioner Central Information Commission Club Building Old JNU Campus New Delhi-110 067 bull

Subject- Disclosure o f complete correspondenc e with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RT[ Act 2005

SirAs per directives o f the Honrsquoble Central Information

Commission contained in Para 13 o f the decisioNoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi seeking certified copies o f the complete correspondence this Ministry had with the Governments of the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

9 ^ 2 Our Embassy in Moscow again approached the Government of Russian Federation to get their consent to the disclosure o f documents under reference but the Government of Russian Federation reiterated that documents were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government o f India for investigation o f Netajee Subhash Chandra Bose disappearance

3 However they state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note o f the Embassy can approach the authorities o f the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy o f India for permission to get to know the M aterials deposited in Federal and State Archives o f the Russian Federation

OV-

g ji)

j d L

Yours faithfully

(AK Nag) Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer

_ f

- i V lt L

Copy for information forwarded to-

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110 018

2 Director(ERS) Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi with reference to his Note NoW l(AD)5511007 dated 25102007

Minister (Pol) Embassy o f India Moscow

Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp Central Public Information Officer

N o W l(A D ) 5 5 1 1 0 0 7 M inistry o f External A ffa irs

(ERS D ivision)

W ith re ference your N ote No R T I5 5 1 7 6 0 6 dated 2 2 8 2 0 0 7 to JS (E R S ) regarding d isclosure o f com plete correspondence w ith the USSRRussia o v e r th e d is a p p e a ra n c e o N e ta ji S u b h a s h C h a n d ra B o s g u n d e r R T I A c t 2005 p lease find enclosed th e unofficial translation o f th e note verb ale dated 1 0 c to b e r rsquo0 7 sent by R ussian M inistry o f Foreign Affairs in reply to the note verbale sent by our E m bassy in M o scow on the subject

(A rya S an d e e p ) D irector (E R S )

2 5 O ctob er 2 0 0 7

JS (W ei amp Inf ampCentral Public In form ation O fficer

v C op y to M in ister (Pol) E m bassy o f India M oscow

U n o ffic ia l T ra n s la tio n

Quote

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highest consideration

Moscow 01st October 2007

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

For official use only

E-GRAM

NoMOSPOL 125 190 laquo y October 10 2007

From To

Indembassy Moscow Foreign New Delhi

AStERS) from Minister (Poll

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

Q u o teUnofficial translation

Moscow 01st October 2007

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

sd-(Dr Subhakanta Behera)

Minister (Political)

a I JH

NICEMAIL r^T^X Page 1 o f 1

y

Current Folder SentMaill y II

I - Compose rsquo^ Addresses ^ Folders EOptions gt Search ^ H e lp sij^Fetch ^ss^Calen

Message List | Delete | Edit Previous I Next Forward I Forward as Attachment | Reply | Reply A ll Message as N ew ------------1 ----------- 1-------------------------------- 1 ldquo r J 1

Subject Message from EI MoscowFrom dcmmoscowmeagovinDate Wed October 10 2007 110 pm

To jsersmeagovinPriority NormalOptions V iew Full Header | V iew Printable V ersion | Add to Addressbook

Attachments

untitled -[l] Ok [texthtm l] download | view

MQS10100716dth 175 k [ applicationoctet-stream ] download

10)0o

NoMOSpOL125190 October 10 2007

From Indernbassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

AS(BRS) from Minister (Pol)

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

Q u o teUnofficial translation

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of

September 20o7 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22laquod of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

For official use only

1

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

Moscow 01st October 2007

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Minister (Political)

No64682DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and

the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 da ted the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

In add ition to the Note o f the M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion No 429 5 2D A dated the 22 nd o f June 2007 in form tha t docum ents from R ussian a rch ives w ere subm itted e xc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the

the Com m issionAfor investiga tion o f N eta jee S ubhas C handra B ose d isappea rance d e ta iis ^s ta b lis h e d by the G ove rnm en t o f IndiaD

p TU-Indian c itizen m en tioned in the Note o f the E m bassy has ^ f fg h t th rough the E m b a s sy tfo request and to fee- get to k n o w ^ a te r ia ls depos ited in Federa l and S ta te A rch ives o f the R ussian F ede ra tion w ith the perm iss ion o f its authorities

The M in is try ava ils th is opportun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest conside ra tion

M oscow 01st O ctober 2007

A ppend ix N ote N o4295 2D A

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

ampJk i A

lAK i

M

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o 1

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Nlti 4 2 9 5 2 M

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No42952DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and quo ting the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 dated the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

D ocum ents from R ussian a rch ives m entioned in the N ote o f the E m bassy w ere subm itted in particu lar in June 2001 exc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the use by the C om m iss ion fo r inves tiga tion o f N e ta jee S ubhas C handra Bose d isappea rance deta ils estab lished by the G ove rnm en t o f India

W e a lso in form tha t the access to Federa l and S ta te A rch ive s o f the R ussian Federa tion is a llow ed w ith the perm iss ion o f Federa l a rch ives A g en cy (R osarch ives) the read ing in read ing room s o f concre te a rch ives w ith th e perm ission o f a rch ives s truc tu res au tho rities o f co rrespond ing bod ies on the basis o f appea l o f E m bassies sc ien tific research ins titu tes and pub lic o rgan iza tions

The M in is try ava ils th is oppo rtun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest considera tion

M oscow 02nd June 2007

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

MHHHCTepcTBO PiHocTpaHHbix 0eji Pocchhckoh

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No SA8907 ot 17 Mah 2007 rofla HMeeT qecrb coo6ihhtigt

cjreiyiomee

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M ocKBaWo I S P

NoSA17307

gt v

TRcT ltTv5f rram TTWTEMBASSY OF INDIA

MOSCOWriOCOIbCTBO HhaMM

MocKBa

18 September 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure of entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

J rThe Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent

vdeg a u th o r ity (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sidersquos view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set

^ up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji V A Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not

^ disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if suchaterial could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry it

could be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissionrsquos work is over Thecompetent authority is of the opinion that the material in question could be disclosed

W ^ deg the Appellant They further advised the Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi to formal clearance for the disclosure of the entire material on the above subject

J ^ ^ ^ f r o r y ^ e ^ i l i s s i a n side

- esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure of the above material maylease be communicated to this Mission at an early date

-

f

mbassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to tfte ^ in ijP r^W f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ^ of the Russian F e d e r ^ J ^(2nd Asia Department) 4 - 1 ^ gt i Csy~~~ aM o s c o w 1

6-8 yn BopoHUOBO rioie 131940 r MocKBa

Ten 007-095-783-75-35 007-095-783-75-34

wwwindianembassyru

tjgt2 t 007-095-916-36- 3 2 007-095-975-23-37

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR

JS(WelampInf) amp Central Public Information Officer has forwarded u s the CIC decision with request to initiate action in accordance with p a ra -13 th e Information Commission is all for disclosure of the material The CIC does not see any reason why the m aterial should not be disclosed now to any researcher since the Justice Mukherjee Commissionrsquos work is over Accordingly it has advised the Ministry of External Affairs to seek the formal clearance from the Russian authorities in the m atter

2 DCMrsquos last comm unication with JS(ERS) was made on 4th July 2007 DCM had forwarded the translation of the note verbale received from the Russian Foreign Office

3 In the light of above we may again send a note verbale to the Foreign Office in accordance with p a ra -13 of the CIC decision

Subm itted please

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

Sept 13 2007

NoSA17307 $ September 2007

The Embassy o f India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure o f entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

The Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent authority (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sides view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if such material could be made available to the Justice Mukheerjee Commission for inquiry they see no reason why-thisO material should iw k be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissions work is over The competent authority is of the ifem opinion that the material in question should be disclosed to the Appellant They further advised the Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi to obtain formal clearance for the disclosure o f the entire material on the above subject from the Russian side

The esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure o f the above material may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2nd Asia Department) Moscow

No R TI5517606 Ministry o f External Affairs

(RTI Division)

Subject - Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

Please find enclosed herewith Central Information Com m issionrsquos decision NoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar o f New Delhi

2 It is requested that necessary action may please be initiated in accordance with para-13 o f the CIC decision

EnclAs above

JS (Eiirasia)

(AiC Nag) Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer22-08-2007

mdash o j^ VxkxraquoA

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(XaA

- e j

(e-US)

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Central Information Commission ilaquoWDlaquoted4i^USd|ampL~

sect $ I| | i yyNoCICOKA200600671

Dated 10 August 2007

Name of the Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar263 Kangra NiketanVikaspuri New Delhi - 110 018

Name of the Public Authority Ministry of External Affairs

Background

Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi filed an application with the PIO Ministry of

External Affairs on 2 August 2006 for seeking certified copies of the complete

correspondence the Ministry of External Affairs had with the Governments of

the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash

Chandra Bose

2 The PIO vide his letter dated 25 August 2006 informed the Appellant that

the request to the Government of USSR and the Russian Federation were made

through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels The PiO also stated that the

requisite copies of the correspondence could not be disclosed at it involves the

relations with a foreign State and so was exempt from disclosure as per the

provisions of Clause 8(1 )(a)amp(f) of the RTI Act

3 Dissatisfied with the reply of the PIO the Appellant filed an appeal with

the first Appellate Authority on 23 September 2006 who vide his letter dated 6

November 2006 again denied disclosure of the documents taking recourse to the

Section 8(1 )(a) and (i) The bench of Dr OP Kejariwal Information

mmissioner heard the matter on 23 March 2007

4 The main stand of the Respondents to the information sought by the

Appellant which is regarding the correspondence between India and the

Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia was that this

information could not be disclosed as it was likely to affect the countryrsquos

relationship with another State On making enquiries from the Respondents it

was clear that this correspondence had neither been seen nor been examined

by an expert to come to such a conclusion Therefore the Commission felt

that the Applicantrsquos application had been treated casually

5 The Commission then directed the Respondents to first have this

correspondence examined by their own experts and if need be by an outside

expert who they could rely on and then take a firm decision In case the

experts came to the conclusion that the applicability of the denial clause was

not relevant in the case the material could be disclosed to the Appellant

However in case the Respondents came to the conclusion that the relations

between the Governments of india and Russia would be affected through the

disclosure of this information the Commission would like the issue to be

settled only after a reference had been made to the Government of Russia

6 The matter was taken up for a second hearing by the bench of Dr OP

Kejariwal Information Commissioner on 10 August 2007

7 Shri AK Naag Joint Secretary (Inf amp Wei) amp CPIO and Shri Nand

Kishore Under Secretary (RTI) represented the Respondents

8 The Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar was present in person

Decision

9 The Commission heard both the sides During the hearing the

Respondents stated before the Commission that they had received a response

from the Government of the Russian Federation Moscow in pursuance of the

Commissionrsquos earlier Order in the matter dated 23 March 2007

10 This letter stated ldquoaccording to the correspondence received from the

Embassy of India Moscow the Russian Foreign Office has stated that the

documents handed over by them in June 2001 were meant only for the GOIrsquos

official use and for the work of the Commission in investigations into the

disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo

11 During the hearing the Appellant stated that his request included the

entire correspondence between the Governments of India and the USSR

regarding nf NPtajirsquos disappearance The Commission accepted this

request and directed the Respondents to clearly mention this while seeking the

approval of the Russian authorities for disclosure of this material

12 Also during the hearing the Appellant made a plea for a copy of the

letter received by the Ministry of External Affairs resulting from the application

that he had made on the issue The Commission saw no objection in this

request and directs the Respondents to supply a copy of this letter to the

Appellant

13 The Commission further feels that if the material could be made

available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the

disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be

disclosed now to any Researcher now that that Commissionrsquos work is over The

information Commission therefore is all for disclosure of this material to the

Appellant However it advises the Ministry of External Affairs to seek a formal------ ------ - _ ____________ ___

clearance from the Russian Authorities in the matter

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110018

Shri AK Nag Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) a Central Public Information Officer Room No 207 Akbar Bhawan Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110021

3 Shri Ajay Choudhary Additional Secretary amp Appellate Authority Room No 144 C South Block Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110011

4 Officer Incharge NSC

5 Press E Group CIC

(OP Kejariwal) Information Commissioner

Cc

The Statesman

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01

[ India ]-

Netaji filesrsquo disclosure ordered

New Delhi Aug 16 The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the external affairs ministry to disclose its correspondence with the erstwhile USSR over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra BoseldquoThe Commission feels that if the material could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be disclosed to any researcher nowrdquo information commissioner Mr OP Kejariwal saidThe Commission made this observation while hearing Mission Netajirsquos plea for certified copies of the complete correspondence between India and the USSR over Netajirsquos disappearance in 1945 The CIC in its decision relied on a letter from officials in Moscow that said the documents which were handed over to India were meant for ldquoofficial use and for the work o f the Mukherjee Commission n PTI

Discussion on this Ind ia itemDisclaimer These are Internet generated discussion threads for which the The Statesman has no responsibilityNo discussions on this item

t o P os

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Usernar

Passwo

New

9 fM raquo f -

m m m m

O ther India

Cabinet nod to new farm scheme

Q case CBI m ay cancel notice

Thaw in Left-UPA ties

Keshubhai joins rebels

http wwwthestatesmannetpagenewsphpclid=2amptheme=ampusrsess=lampid=l 66383 8172007

N o f j j M j l J X K

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raquo

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR and noting of FS(Pol) thereon

2 It seems the Russian Foreign Office does not want to add anything beyond what they have already pu t in the note verbale of Ju n e 22 2007 However if the said note verbale is read together with the bilateral Agreement of 2000 it becomes clear th a t there is no bar oft supplying confidential information to persons asking for the sam e According to Article 3b ot the Agreement decisions to hand over particular classified information shall be taken by the Parties on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the laws of their States

3 Moreover as a scrutiny of the correspondences between the SovietRussian and Indian sides shows they do not contain any sensitive information All the correspondences convey the result of the search in the Russian Archives Perhaps tha t is why JS(CNV) was inclined to suggest the disclosure of the correspondences

4 Given my positive view on the m atter for disclosure of the correspondences I would however like to propose tha t the Ministry may be sent a copy of the note verbale received from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to take into cognizance of the Agreement of 2000 before taking any final decision on the m atter If needed LampT Division in the Ministry may also be consulted

Subm itted please

(r

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

July 3 2007

No 42952DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation and in reference to the Note SA8907 dated 17th May 2007 has honour to inform the following -

The documents from Russian archives referred to in the Embassyrsquos note in particular handed over in June 2001 for official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set up by it for the investigation of circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

cm)

a

W e further inform that the access to materials belong to federal and state archives of the Russian Federation is given with the consent of Federal Agency of Achieves (Rosarchiv) and permission to work in reading halls of agency archives is given by authorities of archives belong to concerned agencies on direct requests by embassies scientific amp research institutions and social organizations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation assurances of its highest consideration

^ ft o j L (vLoo jP xjlJ~plt~ Moscow 22 June 2007

J ~ L 1 ^ mdash -J - ~ ^

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NoS -^ V JS (E R S )0 7

I

9 hTIclt o agtA

P ^ gt r^ yV lt gt V gilaquo )laquo A ^ t Ministry o f External AffairsSouth Block New D elh i-110 011 M ail jsers m eagovin

J L ^ 7 7 0 A A t u - Phone 23017411

PhFax 2 3 0 1 9 2 2

j 3 gt kC ) h ^ Alt 5 ^ ^ M-V r Vw

T his is w ith reference to m y le tter no 11 J S (E R S)2007 d a ted April 20 2007 regard ing a req u e s t m ade u n d e r ldquoRight to in form ationrdquo (copy enclosed for ready reference) It is req u ested th a t th e R u ssian s id e rsquos resp o n se m ay kindly be in tim ated^atjan early da te ^ ^

rajj-vMaaS

Y ours sincerely

(Dr J Bhagwati

X ^h ri D ivyabh M an ch an d a D eputy C hief of M ission E m bassy of Ind ia Moscow

Copy to

AS(PP) JS(CNV)

(Dr J Bhagwati)

No 11 JS (E R S ) 2 0 0 7

Deari

Please refer to AS (PP) an d Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 M arch 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence betw een the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra B osersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E u rasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm w ith the R ussian side w hether they would have any objection to release of correspondence received from them on th is subject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos response m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

S d -(Dr J Bhagwati)

Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) A^(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

S

20 April 2007h

( Dr J Bhagwati )

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tel 7837535 Fax 9752337

NoSA8907 17 May 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 2YuA dated 8 January 1992 and subsequent correspondence (viz No 73YuA dated 27 October 1995 N 547 dated 20 March 1997 19073DA dated 20 March 2003 and 59542DA dated 6 October 2004) including a letter from Ambassador Yu Kutov regarding information about the reported stay of a former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

An Indian citizen had filed a petition under the Right to Information Act 2005 for obtaining all informationdocuments relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The information obtained from the Russian side was denied to the appellant at that time

^Thereupon an appeal was filed by the concerned citizen and currently the V Government of India is considering whether the informationdocuments

-t obtained from Russian authorities on the subject could be released toappellant Views of the Russian side whether the information provided by

( them could be released to the appellant would be essential for the^ f Government of India to take decision on the matter

The esteemed Ministryrsquos views on the matter may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the

s of its highest consideration

f V Ministry of Foreign AffairsL o f the Russian Federation

cr - A sia Department) ^V ^^(V io sco w

A V

Ministry o f External Affairs South Block N ew D elh i-110 011 Mail jsers m eagovinMail jsers m ea Phone 23017411

i]r

Phone 23017411 PhFax 23011922

S e c r e t

No H JS (E R S )2007

Dear L b ]

Please refer to AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence between the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra Bosersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E urasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm with the R ussian side w hether they would have

amp any objection to release of correspondence received from them on thissubject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos re~sponse m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

^Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) AS(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

( Dr J B hagw ati)

V

V No^5AS(PP)2007

Right to Inform atioi Timt

Most Im

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)rsquos Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Inform ation Act 2 005

Shri Anuj Dhar had initially requested this Ministry last year requesting form information on the following two points-

1 Certified copies of complete correspondence the MEA has had with the Governments o f the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

2 Confirmation on whether the Ministry had sought information from the erstwhile Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation by merely issuing Notes Verbale or some serious efforts were ever made at a higher (say Ministerial) level to uncover the mystery surrounding the fate of Netaji

filed an appeal with the CIC The appeal was considered by the CIC on 23 March 2007 The CIC has directed that the Ministry should have the documents under reference carefully examined by a panel of experts to determine whether the information sought by the applicant can be given or not

While we have not received the final decision of the Commission this would a time-bound exercise and it is therefore requested that JS(CNV) may please make the records available to me for a preliminary examination so that expeditious action can be taken on receipt of the formal decision of the CIC

The information was denied to Shri Dhar by this Ministry whereupon he

(AjAdditional Secretary (PP) fit

Appellate Authority (RTI) 28 March 2007

JS(CNV)

Copy forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with the request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me as soon as possible

o f iHC-ifl no 3 20 HOO bull rsquobull bullP

vrrwr 5fn tnrvtEMBASSY OF IN D IA

6-0 Ulitsa Obukha M O S C O W

Tel No 237-0820

t t v

Septe mb er 16 1991

The Embassy of I nd ia presents its compli me nt s to the Mi nistry of For ei gn Aff ai rs of the USSR and has the ho nour to enclose her ew it h a c o ll ect io n opound documents or NetSji S ub ha sh C h an d ra B o s e at one time a President of the Ind-ior N at io na l C o n g r e s s and a leading fig are in ths Indian freedom movement received from H r _ Ch it ts S s s u M em b er of P ar l ia m en t and Gene ra l Secretary All r d i a Forward Bloc a group founded by Meta ji Subhas-i X h 3 n d r a Fgt = $ e ord at present a c o n s t it ue n t of tne Left Front G o v e r n shyment in the Indian state of West Bengal

2 In these d o c u me n ts there are su ggestions quotingthe then Soviet A m b a s s a d o r in Kabul and the Soviet Vice Consu l in T e h er an to the effect that Netaji Subhash Chandra

itighr have found his way to the Soviet Union after the alleged ae ro p la n e cr as h in August 1 9 A 5 As recently as March 5 I990 The H i n d u s t a n Time an Indian daili n e w s p a p e r quoted a scholar of the Soviet Institute if Or ie nt al S t ud ie s to the effect t h a t there are t c S o v i e t sc ho la rs who have applied to tne Covernen-c of the US Sr for pe rm is si on to e xa min e cla ss if ie d documents

3- In the light of the current policy on Soviet nationala r ch i ve s the Embassy of India would appreciate if an rate- rial that sheds light on the fate of Netaji Subhush Chandra Dose in the a rch iv es of S ov ie t or ga nisations including s ec u r i t y o r g a ni s at io ns is made available to the Embassy of India

A The Ere bossy of India n vails itself of this opportunityto renew to the M i n s t r y of Foreign Affairs of the USSH the a s s u r a n c e s of its highest c on si deration

Seal

M i n i t r y of Foreign Af fa ir s Covernment of USSRM o s c o bullgt

E rc 1 a s a b o v e

if nI

(rough translation)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation

No ZAuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that according to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no information whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow8 January 1992

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

trrlter r_ EM B A S S Y OF INDIA6-8 Ulitsa Voiomsovo Polyo

N o S A 8 3 9 5 July 27 19SS

The Embassy of India presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to correspondence resting with their Note Verbaie No 2YuA of S January 15S2 regarding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Enclosed is a booklet which contends that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may have come to the former Soviet Union in 1945 There has teen further speculation in this context reportedly on the basis of archival materials In view of this it would be highly appreciated if ail materials available on the subject couid be examined for a final determination on whether or not Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose entered or stayed anywhere in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 or subsequently

The Embassy of India avails itself of tnis opportunity to renew to tne Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration - bull -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (South Asia Department) Moscow

v

(Unofficial T ransl

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

73YuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central Archival Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents^of Modern History no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to

renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 1995

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1995 Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years W e have now been informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory otthe former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador Kotov forwarding the note categorically asserts th a t we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soilrdquo and that extensive research can hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovrsquos letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

2 I would like you to please bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

(Pripuran Singh Haer)

0 M0 5 F f l I I 0 bull rsquo 1 ~ 6 C

Pripuran Singh Haer Charge dAffaires

MOSPOL125190

r o h o11 bull i bull r o j o o r i

trn s laquoPi j a r m rrcsl p - igt llsquo7EM B A S S Y OF INDIA

6-8 U l iu a Votomsovo PolyM O S C O W

Tel No S i 7-CS20 Tolex 413409 INDEMSU

Tgts Fa bullbull-9 3

October 31 19S5

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1SSS Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years We have now bee informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1595 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is nc

s informatcn whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory cf the formeSoviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador

ji Kotov forwarcing the note categorically asserts that we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soil and that extensive research can

1 hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovsbullvu letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

v jf2 1 wouid iike you to piesse bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

kt (Pripuran Singh Haer)

Shri R L Narayan Joint Secretary (EE) Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi

diams i iL Mr Ror on Sen Arnba ssador of Ind ia to th e R u s s i a n F e d e r a t i o n

D e a r R o n e n

E n c lo sed Y o u will find o u r no te c o n c e rn in g S u b h a sh C h a n d ra

Bose D o bel ieve th a t we have t r ied o u r best to discover any relevant

I actsU n f o r tu n a te ly I a m p ro fo u n d ly d is t ressed being u n a b le to provide

t any posi t ive in f o r m a t i o n on th e subject o f no t th e least im p o r t a n c e for

the In d ia n public Alas by now it a p p e a r s that we can be su re tha t Netnj has neve r set foot o n th e R u ss ia n soil Extensive re sea rch car r ied out

u p o n th e latest r eq u es t o f Y o u r s can h a rd ly leave any d oub ts to lhgt

effect

S in ce re ly Y ours Y a K o t o v

w

r lt W 3 lt tfr s t pound 2 3 i

Intervention by H EM rAnatoly MDrukov Ambassador of Russia in India during the

eress-conference on the 210296 in le Foreign Correspondentsrsquo Club__________

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is

deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people

who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73Y uA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

inform ation on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

m uch em otion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

j i

gt J -

i

Directorate of Foreign Relatilt Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

March 20 1997

N 547

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to you and has the honour to forward herewith the letter of Mr L Joychandra Singh addressed a second time to the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

In reply to this repeated query the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence (CAMD) of the Russian Federation has pointed out that there is no other data relating to the fate of Subhash Chandra Bose besides the information conveyed to you vide letter No1843 dated October 28 1996 (enclosing No222672 of the CAMD)

We request you to kindly inform Mr L Joychandra Singh of the above reply from the Archives

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Military Wing of the Embassy of India in Moscow the assurances of its highest consideration

Military Attache in the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation

Brig D Singh

No 19073DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federations presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassyrsquos note verbale No SA 1003 dated 8 January 2003 and the Ministryrsquos note verbale No 1423DA dated 28 June 2001 has the honour to inform you about the following

A search was conducted for documents related to the fate ofSCBose in the following federal archives

Russian State Military Archive (RGVA) Russian State Archives of Socio-Political History (RGASPI) State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) and Russian State Historical Archives of the Far East (RGIA DV) The information requested for was not found in the GARF RGVA and RGIA DV archives

Copies of the documents found in the RGIA DV Archives were sent to the Embassy in 2001

No information has been found about the fate of SC Bose in the Central Archives of the Russian FSB the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in the m anuscript section of the Russian State Library or in the Russian State Archives of Photographic Documents (RGAKFD)

We would also like to inform th a t the personnel archives of Eva Yakovlevna Lyusternik were sent after her death to the Russian Academy of Sciencesrsquo Institute of Oriental Studies and the open part of the archival m aterial on IV Stalin was sent from the archives of the President of the Russian Federation to RGASPI

The Ministry would like to use th is opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

M inistry of Foreign AtlairsR u ssian F ed eratio n

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Moscow 20th March 2003

^ M la iet ja Affaireo f the deration

No S 9 5 4 2 A A

The M inistry of Foreign Affairs of th e R ussian Federation p resen ts its com plim ents to the Em bassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and in continuation of Note No 55382XA dated Septem ber 14 2004 h as the honour to intorm th a t Information sought on the fate of Ind iarsquos p rom inent political figure Netaji S u b h ash C hand ra Bose was no t found in the C entral Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia

The M inistry avails of th is opportun ity to renew to the Em bassy the a ssu ra n ce s of its highest consideration

M oscow October 6 2004

E m bassy o f th e Republic o f India M oscow -

Ministry o f External Affairs CNV Division

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Information Act

Reference note at FR from AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) regarding CICrsquos directives on appeal by Shri Anuj Dhar who was denied information requested concerning disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his whereabouts in the former USSRRussia i f any

2 Vide letter o f 020806 at FA Shri Dhar had requested for (a) certified copies o f complete correspondence between MEA and the Government o f USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referring to Our Embassyrsquos intervention with the Russian MFA in 199219951997 2001 and 2003 and (b) whether MEA sought information from the Russian side in a routine manner through issue o f Note Verbales or some serious efforts were made at a higher level

3 Vide issue o f 250806 at FB CPIO on the basis o f inputs from CNV Division replied to Shri Dhar conveying that (a) requests to the Governments o f the USSRRussia were made through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels and (b) requisite copies o f the correspondence sought cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under provisions of Clause 8(l)(a)amp (f) o f the RTI Act Under Clause8(1)(a) there is noobligation to give any citizen information disclosure o f which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity o f India the security strategic scientific or economic interests o f the State relation with foreign State or lead to incitement o f an offence Under Clause 8(l)(f) there is no obligation to give ldquoinformation received in confidence from foreign governmentrdquo

4 Shri Dhar vide his letter o f 230906 at FC had appealed to then Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) on the ground that the reasons given by the CPIO denying him the information aslced for are untenable With regard to the intervention with the USSRRussian Government for information on Netajirsquos disappearance Shri Dhar seeks to know if this matter was pursued at a higher (say Ministerial) level Regarding Ministryrsquos resort to Clause 8(l)(a) Shri Dhar wrote that this is not intelligible to him as to how correspondence dealing with the disappearance o f a national hero can be threat to India or its relations with USSR which does not exist and has been disowned by the successor state o f the Russian Federation He has also questioned as to why information received in this matter o f national importance should be confidential In response to the appeal C lW Division has conveyed to JS (Inf) and CPIO vide its note dated 011106 at FD that (a) the information sought for by Shri Dhar ie whether serious efforts were made with interventions at higher levels with the Russian Government to seek information on Netajirsquos disappearance does not constitute ldquoinformationrdquo as defined in the RTI Act and the question is anecdotal in nature and (b) that copies o f correspondence cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under the relevant clauses in the RTI Act Though there is no evidence on this NGO file it is our understanding that these views were conveyed by the Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) to Shri Dhar Presumably what was meant was that Shri Dhar was seeking the opinion o f the MEA as to whether the efforts made by GOl in its interventions with the Russian Government were serious or just routinely taken up Since such lsquoopinionrsquo is not covered under Clause 1(0 hence it cannot be construed as lsquoinformationrsquo

6 The undersigned has gone through all available records in NGO Section pertaining to correspondence with the USSRRussian Governments seeking information on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose In particular attention is drawn to a note recorded in December 1998 at FE on linked file giving the chronological background to suchcorrespondence starting from May 1990 in the Note for Supplementaries prepared for Rajya Sabha Starred Question No 174 for answer on 101298 dealing with the Asiatic Societyrsquos request for access to Russian archives It may also be seen from the attached

A

Anticipated Questions and their Answersrsquo that Ministry was willing to disclose the contents o f the Note Verbale received from the Russian Government in response to IUdiaji demarches regarding information on Netaji on the floor o f the House There is no i available on NGO files to indicate if such information was in fact disclosed on the flooi o f the House when the PQ was answered However the point to note is Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose such information As per the last line under Clause 8 o f RTI Act ldquoinformation which cannot be denied to the Parliament or the State legislature shall not be denied to any personrdquo Therefore if such information has already been disclosed on the floor o f the House or even by virtue o f Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose we may no deny such information requested by Shri Anuj Dhar

7 Chronologically the correspondence copies available on file and linked files and sought by Shri Dhar are listed as under

(a) NV No Nil dated 160991 from EI Moscow to MFA USSR Government at FF on linked file

(b) NV No 2YuA dated 080192 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at -FGv -- bullbullbulllaquo mdash bullbull

(c) NV No SA8395 dated 270795 from EI M oscow to MFA Russian Government at FH on linked file

(d) NV No 73YuA dated 271095 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at FI

(e) DO letter from CDA EI Moscow enclosing Amb Kotovrsquos letter to Amb Ronen Sen at FJ on linked file

(f) Record o f intervention by Russian Ambassador to India at a press IK lrsquo ltonffirericebnrsquo2i0296 at FK on linked file

(g) NV No N547 dated 200397 from Russian Defence Ministry to EI Moscow at FL

(h) NV No 19073DA dated 200303 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow aft FM and

(k) NV No 59542DA dated 061004 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow 4 FN

8 A perusaldf the available correspondence shows the continuous effort made by the Ministry through the Embassy in Moscow to obtain information available i f any on Netajirsquos whereabouts in Russia It also shows that such effort was made at very high levels even through correspondence between the Indian Ambassador to Russia and his Russian counterpart One such correspondence is even addressed to a private Indian citizen in Manipur and the same has been passed on to him by our Embassy in Moscow There is no evidence to suggest that such correspondence was received in confidence an not to be disclosed However it would be beyond the competence o f CNV Division to make such a judgment merely on perusal ofthe filesrecords available in NGO SectionAS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) may like to consult Eurasia Division and Embassy o f India Moscow on whether disclosure o f such information under RTI woulc be detrimental to bilateral relations

J)(Debnath ShaiO

X At Wi bull JS (CNV)09 April 20f)7

AS fPP) amp Aeffellate Authority TRTI)

fet L 0 k f t t U a k k f c v J y -TI 4 i t i

cn v w et oA 2 4 JhV oW ei w ttC a

i CIC c h t tfcVe (jEuTA4-IAJ jrteaitcrj At-jKCdh-al tjyin cm Mm+cpL

I M i i ) J L j i t

j J 7

i

-r-

31

FAXTo AS(PP)

MEA New Delhi Fax 91-11-23013387

From First Secretary (Pol) Indembassy Moscow

Rpti) DS[Russia] MEA

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tele 007-495-9163544 Fax 007- 495-9163632

With reference to DS[Russia]rsquos message regarding AS[PP]rsquos note to JS[CNV] No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 9 April 2007 on an appeal filed under No RTI act 2005

2 Please find faxed herewith currently available few copies of this Missionrsquos correspondence with local authorities on the subject We will send more m aterial if available by the earliest diplomatic bag

U ) U v tcrv-4 j

(Dr Suresh Babu) FS [Pol]

13042007

A

- P O C C H H C K A fl A K M E M H H HAYK ^

H H C T H T Y T B O C T O K O B E ^ E H H J I

___________ JV2 ____________________

H a JVs_____________________________ T To 1Justice Mukherji

Commission o f Inquiry M irza Ghalib Street

Kolkata

Dear Sir

This is to inform you that as per your request we have checked the Private

Archive o f Prof EYaLustemic in the Indian Center o f the Institute of Oriental

Studies Russian Academy o f Sciences Moscow

We regret to inform you that there is no document on Subash Chandra Bose

With sincere regards

(Shaumian TLHead the Indian Center o f the Institute o f Oriental Studies

Russian Academy o f SciencesM oscow)

26092005

l0303l(Plttgt CHO 103753 (MeacflyHapoflHbiH) MocKBa T C n yji PoxcnecTBeHKa12 Ten (095)921-1884 (095)925-6461 Oaicc (095)975-2396 E-mail ivran orcru

In contrast to Indian National Congress Bose and his activists basically counted on armed struggle and open cooperation against enemies of England - Germany Italy and Japan Bose dreamed about freedom for India through crushing defeat of Britain Bose could not do it himself so he linked activity of his troops and groups with assault of Germany on India from the West and Japan from the East The aim of Bose was to expedite the assault in all possible ways and reinforce it from inside by subversive Anti-English activity in India and if possible to attached nature o f mass anti-British revolt However at that time not all people considered his activity as ldquosubversiverdquo Fascism was not so popular in India at that time but racism and violence were condemned everywhere A lot of Indians were satisfied with telling blows delivered hateful center o f empire by axis countries in particular against the background of British demonstrative nonshyrecognition of Indian rights for self-determination J Nehru wrote about this period How can we conciliate two basic directions of our policy - opposition to British imperialism and opposition to fascism and nazism How can we adjust our nationalism with our internationalism That was a difficult question for us taking in view current situation However this question would not be difficult if the British Government take a step to show us its refusal from imperialistic policy in India and rely on peoplersquos good willrdquo

But it did not happen Indian public reacted accordingly Describing the psychological atmosphere in the country that time Jawaharlal Nehru wrote ldquoPeople were pushing out not by patriotic feelings but by their willingness to save themselves from an offense and the worstrdquo

So S Bose did not have any mass support but he could use the mood of majority for his own purposes Nehru wrote about it the following ldquoProtection of the imperialism which we were fighting with for such a long time seemed to be non-sense and impossible to usrdquo

Unofficial translation

ldquoMatsottardquo is obtaining Soviet visa

Instructions were really complicated It was necessary to send Subhas Chandra Bose to Germany He was wanted by Britain secret service colonial Administration and local police throughout India Bose was staunch and irreconcilable adversary of Great Britain and may be the most dangerous one at that time

Extracts of the book whiten by Yuri L Kuznets ldquoMarauders are quitting the gamerdquo

Published in 1992 by ldquoInterprakstrdquo Moscow

Of course Bose made his main counting on the military defeat of England at the time when Hitlerrsquos Germany had been already at the war with it and Japan was still neutral So Bose was interested in Berlin When Japan occupied Burma and came close to the Indiarsquos borders Bose reoriented to the Far East

In spring 1941 his ways crossed with Bhagat Ram Bose decided to shift from India to Berlin because some of his friends and relatives were arrested in India and he by himself also was wanted He needed Hitlerrsquos support including financial one Ports we under police control and departure trough one of them was very risky Bose took another way and in February came to Kabul He was accompanied by Bhagat Ram who was not a member o f Bosersquos organization he did not like axis-members but he was posted as Bosersquos escort by his party ldquoKirti Kissanrdquo because o f his knowledge of Phushtun zone which they had to cross as well as Afghanistan and Kabul He also had his own flat in Kabul - the premises which belonged to Ultam Chang and his shop It was supposed that Ram was doing a favour to Bose only due to their common aim - to weak British positions in India at most

Ram fulfilled his task Bose settled down in Kabul and started to make arrangements for the next step of his journey During war time he could come to Germany only through the territory o f USSR For this purpose he required a passport which he did not have German Embassy applied to the Italian one Italians considered the German request positively Bose got passport in respect of Italian citizen Mazzotta Holding this passport Bose applied to the Soviet Embassy for transit visa crossed the USSR territory and came to Berlin

Mazzotta disappeared But German Consulate General drew attention to Bhagat Ram who was introduced as a powerful Indian activist in Afghanistan and India with anti-British orientation It was o f interest and he was suggested to work for the German Secret Service German resident was satisfied with Ramrsquos past his contacts and mood especially because he was concerned about difficulties o f the anti-British activities in India shortage of agents and information as well as conspiratorial bases in India Bosersquos recommendation also helped Ram was thinking it would be important for me and my party to establish contacts with enemies of their enemies

Offer on co-operation was accepted Ram left German Consulate having 100 000 Indian Rupees in his pocket 12 guns and ballets Money and arms were required by the people whom Ram would be recruiting in India Since May 1941 after the German finished their checking Ram had become the main agent o f the German Secret Service in India

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337 Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 9 4 0 5 September 9 2005

The Em bassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Em bassyrsquos earlier Note Verbales on the visit of a delegation of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 20-30 2005 in connection with enquiring into the facts and circum stances relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

It is confirmed th a t all logistical arrangem ents for official JMCI delegation and the accompanying eight deponents would be facilitated by the Embassy with no financial implications to the Russian side

It would be appreciated if the decision of the esteemed Ministry on visas for the visiting team may kindly be expedited

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

Copy to Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

No 5830 2DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Notes No SA16605 of 08 August No SA17405 of 18 August and No SA17905 and No SA18005 of 26 August this year has the honour to inform as follows

Justice Mukherjee as a Head of the Delegation set up by the Government of India to inquire about life of Subhas Chandra Bose pertaining to the period from 1945 onwards as well as the accompanying delegation will be given access to the documents kept in the Reading Halls o f the Federal and State Archives of the Subjects o f the Russian Federation in Moscow St Petersburg Irkutsk and Omsk through the Federal Archives Agency of the Russian Federation All expenditures related to the arrangements for their visit air-passage accommodation transport and medical insurance etc should be borne by the Indian side The Federal Archive Agency requests to inform Mr MK Mukherjee of the addresses of Federal Archives given below

1 Russian State Archive for social and political history - 103 821 Moscow 15 B Dmitrovka Str Director - Kiril M Anderson Tel 229 97 26

2 Russian State Archive of Audio- Photo Documents - 143 400 Moscow Region Krasnogorsk 1 Rechnaya Str Director - Lyudmila P Zapryagaeva Tel 562 14 64 563 08 45

3 Russian State Archive for Phono Documents 105 005 Moscow3 2ya Baumanskaya Str Director - Vladimir A Kolyada Tel 261 13 00

4 Russian State Naval Archive - 191 186 St Perersburg 36 Millionnaya Str Director - Vladimir S Sobolev Tel (812)312 11 37

The Federal Archives Agency recommends the following for work with the documents o f

- Central State Archive of St Petersburg - to apply to St Petersburg Archives Committee (193 015 St Petersburg 39 Tavricheskaya Str) Chairman of the Committee - Mr Anatoly D Yashkov Tel (812) 271 44 55)

- State Archive of Omsk Region - to apply to the Archive Department of the Ministry for State and Legal Development o f Omsk Region Head - Ms Galina Yu Borodina (644 099 Omsk 1 Tretyakova Str) Tel (381-2) 25 57 26

- State Archive of Irkutsk Region - to apply to Archive Department of Irkutsk Region Head - Ms Nadezhda K Shestakova (664003 Irkutsk 36a Gorkogo Str) Tel (395-2) 24 06 42

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow ldquo 15 ldquo September 2005

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA Moscow

slvNon-paper

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2004 r b apxHBax OCE 46-th CTpaHHHHbiH OKyMeHT)

B 3aK pbiTbix apxH BH bix (J)OHflax HaxoA5imHxcfl Ha TeppHTOpHH P o cchh ck o h

O e^epaHH H KaKHX-jinSo CBe^eHHH 0 CHEoce He o6HapygtKeHo

9

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow___ Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337

Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 8 0 0 5 August 26 2005

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Embassyrsquos earlier communications regarding the visit of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 18-30 2005

By way of background information given below are the relevant details of JMCI -

(i) The Government o f India Ministry o f Home Affairs New Delhi vide a gazette notification No S 0339(B) dated 14th May 1999 appointed Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry for Inquiry into the Alleged Disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under Section (3) o f the Commission o f Inquiry Act o f 1952 (60 o f 1952)

(ii) As per this notification Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry shall inquire into all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945 and subsequent developments connected therewith including-(a) whether Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is dead or alive(b) I f he is dead whether he died in the plane crash as alleged(c) Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are the ashes o f Netaji(d) Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and if

so when and how(e) I f he is alive in respect o f his whereabouts

(iii) The Commission shall also examine the manner in which the exercise o f Scrutiny o f Publications touching upon the question o f death or otherwise on Netaji can be undertaken by the Central Government in the circumstances

(iv) Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry is funded by the Ministry o f Home Affairs Government o f India and is an official Commission

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

Copy to M inistry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV t J 001

A MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS (PP) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of material immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

Deputy Secretary (Russia) Ph 23015199 Intercom 2285

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

Dr T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

T c J i h irvMUt(SOMNATH GHOSH)

Deputy Secretary Ministry of External Affairs

New Deifci

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 1^1002

( t

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No R T I-2 pound _ A S (P P )2 0 0 7

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance_of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anufpfiar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) 6t

Appellate Authority (RTI) 09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

g^py forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - H W U(Ajal Choudhfy)

1 o 7

0 v

j N lsquoaA gt ^ 1 ^

04 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV

MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS-iEP-) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of matenal immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

D tpu ij u su ta i J iu J o ia JPh 23015199 Intercom 228S

D r T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

h i 7-

_100pound 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 002

Most Immediate

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No RTI-HiLAS(PP) 2007

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed bv Shri Anul Dhar under RTI 200S - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anurbhar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC ------ = = = = mdash

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) amp

Appellate Authority (RTI)09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

JZopy forwarded to JS(Eurasla) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - t t U X f (Ajal ChoudMfy)

k

Buff 43402

Square C u t Raider A4 434Made in London

Blue 43403 Green 43404 Grey 43405 Orange 43406 Pink 43407 Red 43408 Yellow 43409 Mauve 43414

Page 7: V ' . . . Disci* wi/K 0*s*/ - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ...

A m b a s s a d o r o f l i id ia to the Russian Federation

D e a r R o n e n _

E n c l o s e d Y o u will f ind o u r n o t e c o n c e r n i n g S u b h a s h C h a n d r a

Do^e D o be l i e v e t h a t we ha ve t r i ed o u r bes t to d i s c ov e r any re le vant

a n y pos i t ive i n f o r m a t i o n on t h e sub j ec t of n o t t h e l east i m p o r t a n c e for

ha s n e v e r set foot o n t h e R u s s i a n soi l Ex t e n s i v e r e s e a r c h c a r r i ed out

u p o n t h e l ates t r e q u e s t o f Y o u r s c a n h a r d l y leave a ny d o u b t s to thlb

t h e I n d i a n pub l i c Al as by now it a p p e a r s tha t we c a n be s u r e t ha t NVtaj

S i n c e r e l y Y o u r s

Yu Kot ov

3 7 S ^

Intervention by HEMrAnatoly MDrukov mbassador of

Bress-conferenceie Foreign Correspondents Clu b

_______ b y ________ Ambassador of Russia in India during the gtress-conference on the 210296 in

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

information on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

much emotion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

copyEmbassy of India

Moscow

Deputy Secretary(Eurasia) has requested this Missionrsquos input on Part 2 of the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP seeking information under RTI Act 2005 whether Netaji Subash Chandra Bose is still alive in Okotoks Jail in Siberia and if notldquosought the information about the prisoner who has been lodged in Okotoks Jailrdquo

2 As per records available in the Mission Russian Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 informed that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose having stayed on the territory o f the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years

3 Copies o f following relevant correspondence received from Russian side are placed below -

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Ambassador YuKotov to Ambassador Ronen Sen (with enclosure)

4 DFA is placed below for approval pi

SS(Pol)892014

Counselfor(Pol)

I

E-MailFax

No MOSPOL125190 September 9 2014

From Indem bassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) from SS(Pol)

Please refer to your mail dated Sept 3 2014 seeking inputs on Part 2 o f the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose

2 Copies o f the follow ing relevant correspondence received from Russian side are attached-

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Amb Kotov to Amb Ronen Sen

3 It may be seen from the above papers that there is no r ^

particular ja il m entioned in the applicantrsquos query Henee - it would b e -pppmpriatR_to_rep ly -to -tho applicant that- nomdashstteh-- informationmdashismdash-available with -asv

a v a i l a b l e mdash ^ - ^ t h e stay o f Netaji Subash Chandra

W ith Regards

(Gopal Ram) Second Secretary (Pol)

C o u n s e llo r (P o litic a l)

Pag o f 1

I f I

From d irers ltd ire rs m eagovingtltm inpo l ind ianem bassyrugt

~ent W ednesday S ep tem ber 03 2014 1113 AM Attach IM G pdf Subject S P A M ldquo RTI MOST IMMEDIATE

For Counsellor (Pol)

Enclosed please find an RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate seeking information on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

It is requested that Missions inputs on Part 2 of the question raised in the RTI application may be sent to us at an early date

Regards

Pankaj Saxena Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) Ministry of External Affairs RoomNo235G South Block New Delhi-110 011 Tel 2301 4600

ltK

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p o litic a l d ip lo m a tic s o lu tio n H o w e v e r w e re fo c u s e d m ilita r i ly o n s t re n g th e n in g d e fe n s e o f o u r a llie s T h a t s o u r c o re ta s k R a s m u s s e n s a id b e fo re a m e e tin g w ith E U d e fe n s e m in is te rs

W e re r ig h t n o w c o n s id e r in g fu r th e r s te p s to s tre n g th e n o u r c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e A s I in d ic a te d th a t a ls o in c lu d e s w h a t I w o u ld ca ll a p p ro p r ia te d e p lo y m e n ts h e a d d e d c o m m e n tin g on th e c u rre n t a g e n d a

B u t its a b it to o e a r ly to g o in to d e ta ils a s to h o w w e w ill in c o n c re te te rm s s tre n g th e n c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e B u t no o n e s h o u ld d o u b t o u r d e te rm in a t io n to e n s u re in te n s iv e d e fe n s e a n d p ro te c tio n o f a ll a ll ie s R a s m u s s e n s ta te d w ith n o fu r th e r d e ta ils o n th e a ll ia n c e s p ro s p e c t iv e s tra te g y

S p e a k in g a t p r io r m e e tin g s th e S e c re ta ry -G e n e ra l a ls o v o ic e d c o n c e rn s a b o u t c la s h e s in e a s te rn U k ra in e b e tw e e n p ro - fe d e ra liz a t io n p ro te s te rs a n d fo rc e s lo y a l to th e g o v e rn m e n t c a llin g on R u s s ia to d e -e s c a la te th e c r is is a n d pu ll b a c k its la rg e n u m b e r o f tro o p s in c lu d in g s p e c ia l fo rc e s fro m th e a re a a ro u n d U k ra in e s b o rd e r w h ile w a rn in g th a t a n y fu r th e r R u s s ia n m ilita ry in te r fe re n c e w o u ld o n ly d e e p e n R u s s ia s in te rn a t io n a l is o la t io n

R u s s ia n F o re ig n M in is te r S e rg e i L a v ro v re je c te d W e s te rn a c c u s a t io n s th a t R u s s ia w a s b e h in d th e c r is is in s o u th e a s te rn U k ra in e s a y in g n e ith e r R u s s ia n s e c u r ity a g e n ts n o r s o ld ie rs h a v e b e e n d e p lo y e d to th e re g io n

T h e M in is try s a id th a t N A T O is a tte m p tin g to u s e th e U k ra in ia n c r is is a s an im a g in a ry th re a t to u n ite th e a ll ia n c e s m e m b e rs p u s h in g fo r R u s s ia s is o la t io n

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M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Tel 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u s rs m e a g o v in

WI (AD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u F S (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P lease find a ttached a self-exp lanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f Subhash C hand ra Bose u n d er the R T I Act for kind necessary action a t your end

ahul S hrivastava) U n d er S ecre tary 7 Janu ary 2 0 0 8

No RTI5517606Ministry of External Affairs

( RTI Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquos note WI (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content of the note was conveyed to the Information Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government of

j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russian 1 Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the National

Achieve o f India

We have received a communication to this effect from the CIC which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(AK Nag) JS (Wei amp Inf) amp CPIO

December 18 2007

In fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r

gt O P KEJARIWAL fe laquoft-110067 B lo ck-IV 5 th F lo o r O ld JN U C a m p u s

N e w D e lh i-1 1 0 0 6 7 T ele fax 26717351

C entra In fo rm a t io n C o m m is s io n

November 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T I5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian Governm ent for disclosure of the N eta ji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar We have now received a le tte r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N eta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portan t from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere ind iv idualrsquos in terest He suggests and reuests therefore that this m ateria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India from abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m a tte r t h erefore is pursued w ith the I Russian G overnm ent so th a t w hatever m ateriah s o f va lue a nd in te rest to India m ay com e to us especially in the present case

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) Ministry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

Yours sincerely

(OP Kejariw al)

To 26 November 2007

Dr OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner Central Information Commission Old JNU Campus New Delhi - 110067

Subject R eq u est to Ind ian Errbassy to procure p ost-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian arch ives

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter NoR TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2007 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision N oC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made v this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the

Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Embassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

i

2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing ruies or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at times provide information A request from the Embassy of India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

^ would not yvant this exercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant records are identified the Embassy may procure them for the National Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India

since they are likely to provide a never befc 3 insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world w a r for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n L ____2 63 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mayzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez iden ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)[A rch ive o f the P res id en t o f the R uss ian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lsk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606-13-33 Fax (495 ) 606 -19 -66

2 Is to riko-dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del R F (ID D M ID) [H is torico-D ocum enta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in is try o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o lenska ia -S enna ia p loshchad 3234 Tel (495) 244-32-19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i po litik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (A V P RF)[A rch ive o f Fore ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241-04-80

4 Tsen tra lrsquonyi a rkh iv M in is te rs tva o bo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f D e fense]142100 M oskovskaia ob las t P odo lrsquosk ul K irova 74 Tel (495) 715-90-05 (0967) 54-00-03

5 G lavno je R azvedyva te lno je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilitary In te lligence D irecto ra te arch ives Address not know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 TsentraPnyi a rkh iv Federa lno i s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (TsA FSB R ossjj)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F edera l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzhby vneshne i razvedki RF (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)[O perational A rch ive o f the Fore ign In te lligence S erv ice ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 5110Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 245 -33 -68 Fax (495) 247-05-29

8 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (TsA M VD R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In te rna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovocherem ushk inska ia 67 (Archive) ul Zoi i A leksa nd ra K osm odem iansk ikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-90

2

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F a x M e s s a g e P n o m

7 Jan 2008 1626

NameFax Number

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C

L i

DIRlt ERS)MEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1626 P0105

M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Te l 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u srs m eag o v in

WI(AJD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u FS (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P le as e find a ttached a self-explanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f S ubhash C hand ra Bose under the RT Act for kind necessary action a t your end

lahul S h rivastava) U n d e rs e c re ta ry 7 J a n u a ry 2 0 0 8

DIR(ERS gtMEflRNQ235C 7 Jan 2008 16=26 P020b

No RTI5517606 Ministry of External Affairs

( RTX Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquo s note W I (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser o f complete correspondence

with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash | Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content o f the note was conveyed to the Information j Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant bull The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government o f j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russiani Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the Nationali bull

W e have received a communication to this effect from the CIC

i s J

Achieve o f India

which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(A K Nag) JS (W ei amp Inf) amp CPIO1

December 18 2007

DIR( ERS gtMEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1627 P 0305

gt O P KEJARIWALSTTJprf

-MiX TR 4 58 cfcr TPTT

fcc=6ft11 0 0 6 7 Biock-lV 5th Floor Oki JNU Campus

I n fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r New Delhi-110067 Telefax 26717351

Centra Information Commission

Novem ber 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T 5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian G overnm ent fo r disclosure of the N etaji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar W e have now received a le t te r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N e ta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portant from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere individuals in terest He suggests and reuests th ere fo re that this m a te ria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India f rom abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m atte r therefore is pursued w ith the Russian Governm ent so th a t w hatever m ateria l is of va lue and interest to India may come toTis especially in the present case

Yours sincerely

(O P Kejariw al)

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) M inistry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C 7 Jan 2008 16 = 2 P 0405

02 6 N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 7

Dr OP Kejariwal information Com missioner Central Information Commission

+ Old JNU Campus N ew Delhi - 110067

Subject R e q u e s t to Ind ian Em bassy to procure post-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian a rc h ive s

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter N o R TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2 0 07 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTi Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision NoC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

lt think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Em bassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

4 2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing rules or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at tim es provide information A request from the Embassy o f India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

I would not w ant this e xercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant fcS ords s re identified the Em bassym ay procure them fo rtheN atTonal Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India since they are likely to provide a never befc s insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

1

DIR ( ERS) ME ARN0235C7 Jan 2008 16=27

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world war for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n t 2 6 3 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mazzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez idsn ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)Archive o f th e P re s id e n t o f the R ussian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lrsquosk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606 -13 -33 Fax (495) 606-19-66

2 Is to riko -dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del RF (ID D M ID) [H is to rico -D ocum en ta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in istry o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o ie nska ia -S en n a ia p loshchad rsquo 3234 Tel (495) 244 -32 -19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i p o lit ik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (AVP RF)[A rch ive o f Fo re ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241 -04 -80

4 Tsen tra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva obo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f th e M in is try o f D e fense] - bull -142100 M oskovska ia o b la s t P odo lsk ul K irova74 Tel (495 )715-90-05 (0 9 6 7 )5 4 -0 0 -0 3

5 G lavno je R a zve dyva te ln o je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilita ry In te lligence D irectora te a rch ives A ddress no t know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv FederaPnoi s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (T sA FS B R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F e de ra l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzh by vneshne i razvedki R F (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)(O perational A rch ive o f the F o re ign In te lligence Service ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 51 10Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 2 4 5 -33 -6 8 Fax (495) 247-05-29

Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (T sA M VD R ossii)[Central A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In terna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovoche rem ushk inska la 67 (Archive) ul Z o i i A le ksa n d ra K osm odem ianskikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-30

ffs

amp-3gt) i c y v

Embassy of India Moscow(Political Wing) f t

r r v ^Subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with USSRRussia over the

disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 reg

Reference remarks made by the Ambassador on FR a letter from JS (Wei ampInf) addressed to Shri OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner copy endorsed to Min (Pol) on the above subject

Back ground of the case On receipt o f a copy o f AS (PP )rsquo s Note No RTI- 36AS(PP)07 dated 942007 on the above subject Mission vide fax dated 130407 forwarded few copies o f Missionrsquos correspondence with the local authorities on the subject to AS(PP) -------- At F A

Subsequently on receipt o f JS(ERS)rsquo s letter No 1 lJS(ERS)2007 dated 20407 enclosed with A S (PP )rsquo s Note No 30AS(PP)07 amp JS(CNV)rsquo s Note along with copies o f correspondence available in CNV Division on the subject Mission has sent a Note Verbale No SA8907 dated 1752007 to Russian Foreign Ministry requesting for the views o f the Russian side whether the information provided by them could be released to the appellant -------At FB

Documents provided by Russian side and forwarded to the Commission

(i) Documents initially provided by the Russian side attached with Note Verbale No1423 DA dated 28h June 2001 which was forwarded to the Ministry on August

31 2001 may please be seen a t-----FC in the linked file

(ii ) On the basis of an affidavit submitted to the Justice Mukherjee Commission a Note Verbale No SA25904 dated December 22 2004 was sent to the M FA and reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 13142 DA dated 4 March 2005 enclosed with a copy of letter from Mr V Sayadyants to the Soviet Ambassador to Iran Mr IV Sadchikov regarding the political situation in India in 1946 may please be seen a t--------FD in the linked file

Response of the Russian side

( i) A reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 42952 DA dated 2262007 stating therein that ldquo the documents from Russian Archives handed over in June 2001 were for official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up by it for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo This was conveyed to the Ministry vide letter No MOSPOL125190 dated 472007 --------At FE

P2

2

Again on receipt o f a copy o f the decision o f Central Information Commission vide No RTI5517606 dated 22082007 (At FF) Mission took up the matter with M FA vide Note Verbale No SA17307 dated 1892007 for which a reply was received vide No 42952DA dated 11007 reiterating their view that the documents from RussianArchives were submitted exclusively for official use by the GOI including Thiswas conveyed to the Ministry vide E-gram dated 10102007-----At FG

Submitted as desired by Min (Pol) please

2

f^TT FTRTTM IN ISTR Y O F E X TE R N A L A F FA IR S

NEW D ELH I

Dated 2nd November 2007 I gt gt v

gt ldquo $

NoRTI551762006

Shri OP KejariwalInformation Commissioner Central Information Commission Club Building Old JNU Campus New Delhi-110 067 bull

Subject- Disclosure o f complete correspondenc e with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RT[ Act 2005

SirAs per directives o f the Honrsquoble Central Information

Commission contained in Para 13 o f the decisioNoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi seeking certified copies o f the complete correspondence this Ministry had with the Governments of the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

9 ^ 2 Our Embassy in Moscow again approached the Government of Russian Federation to get their consent to the disclosure o f documents under reference but the Government of Russian Federation reiterated that documents were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government o f India for investigation o f Netajee Subhash Chandra Bose disappearance

3 However they state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note o f the Embassy can approach the authorities o f the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy o f India for permission to get to know the M aterials deposited in Federal and State Archives o f the Russian Federation

OV-

g ji)

j d L

Yours faithfully

(AK Nag) Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer

_ f

- i V lt L

Copy for information forwarded to-

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110 018

2 Director(ERS) Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi with reference to his Note NoW l(AD)5511007 dated 25102007

Minister (Pol) Embassy o f India Moscow

Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp Central Public Information Officer

N o W l(A D ) 5 5 1 1 0 0 7 M inistry o f External A ffa irs

(ERS D ivision)

W ith re ference your N ote No R T I5 5 1 7 6 0 6 dated 2 2 8 2 0 0 7 to JS (E R S ) regarding d isclosure o f com plete correspondence w ith the USSRRussia o v e r th e d is a p p e a ra n c e o N e ta ji S u b h a s h C h a n d ra B o s g u n d e r R T I A c t 2005 p lease find enclosed th e unofficial translation o f th e note verb ale dated 1 0 c to b e r rsquo0 7 sent by R ussian M inistry o f Foreign Affairs in reply to the note verbale sent by our E m bassy in M o scow on the subject

(A rya S an d e e p ) D irector (E R S )

2 5 O ctob er 2 0 0 7

JS (W ei amp Inf ampCentral Public In form ation O fficer

v C op y to M in ister (Pol) E m bassy o f India M oscow

U n o ffic ia l T ra n s la tio n

Quote

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highest consideration

Moscow 01st October 2007

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

For official use only

E-GRAM

NoMOSPOL 125 190 laquo y October 10 2007

From To

Indembassy Moscow Foreign New Delhi

AStERS) from Minister (Poll

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

Q u o teUnofficial translation

Moscow 01st October 2007

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

sd-(Dr Subhakanta Behera)

Minister (Political)

a I JH

NICEMAIL r^T^X Page 1 o f 1

y

Current Folder SentMaill y II

I - Compose rsquo^ Addresses ^ Folders EOptions gt Search ^ H e lp sij^Fetch ^ss^Calen

Message List | Delete | Edit Previous I Next Forward I Forward as Attachment | Reply | Reply A ll Message as N ew ------------1 ----------- 1-------------------------------- 1 ldquo r J 1

Subject Message from EI MoscowFrom dcmmoscowmeagovinDate Wed October 10 2007 110 pm

To jsersmeagovinPriority NormalOptions V iew Full Header | V iew Printable V ersion | Add to Addressbook

Attachments

untitled -[l] Ok [texthtm l] download | view

MQS10100716dth 175 k [ applicationoctet-stream ] download

10)0o

NoMOSpOL125190 October 10 2007

From Indernbassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

AS(BRS) from Minister (Pol)

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

Q u o teUnofficial translation

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of

September 20o7 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22laquod of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

For official use only

1

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

Moscow 01st October 2007

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Minister (Political)

No64682DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and

the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 da ted the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

In add ition to the Note o f the M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion No 429 5 2D A dated the 22 nd o f June 2007 in form tha t docum ents from R ussian a rch ives w ere subm itted e xc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the

the Com m issionAfor investiga tion o f N eta jee S ubhas C handra B ose d isappea rance d e ta iis ^s ta b lis h e d by the G ove rnm en t o f IndiaD

p TU-Indian c itizen m en tioned in the Note o f the E m bassy has ^ f fg h t th rough the E m b a s sy tfo request and to fee- get to k n o w ^ a te r ia ls depos ited in Federa l and S ta te A rch ives o f the R ussian F ede ra tion w ith the perm iss ion o f its authorities

The M in is try ava ils th is opportun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest conside ra tion

M oscow 01st O ctober 2007

A ppend ix N ote N o4295 2D A

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

ampJk i A

lAK i

M

bull J U h J t ^ J JLflJ L (L S U s ^ S u (jrcopywO ^ (V|Pj iVv ^ |0]laquo f 1 r i r I - r r J I - 1Olgt-^ |1 CJ |ltg fkiiXn

V j d t v a jx h a u j j u r v w i - jo j - d ^ ^

o 1

r

JVo 6 f6 pound l2 J k

riDHJioxceHneHCXHOTa

Nlti 4 2 9 5 2 M

MHHHCTepcTBO H H ocTpaHHSix Deji P o c c h h c k o h ltIgtejiepaHHH

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M ocK B e h ccfcijiaacb Ha HOTy Iloco jib C TB a N deg S A 1 7 3 0 7 o t

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B flon o jm eH H e k h o t c M HHHCTepcTBa HHOCTpaHHbix Men

P o c c h h c k o h O e^epa iiH H JVe 4 2 9 5 2 ^ A o t 2 2 h ioh h 2 0 0 7 r o ^ a

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nepe^aBajiHCb am ocjmijHanbHoro Hcn0Jib30BaHM HCKHioHHTejibHO

IlpaBHTejibCTBOM H h ^ h h b to m MHCJie fljia p a 6 oTbi ynpegtKeHHOH hm

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C y S x a c HaH flpbi B oca

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MHHHCTepCTBO IIOJIb3 yeTCJI CJiynaeM HT0 6 bI B0 3 0 6 H0 BHTb

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No42952DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and quo ting the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 dated the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

D ocum ents from R ussian a rch ives m entioned in the N ote o f the E m bassy w ere subm itted in particu lar in June 2001 exc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the use by the C om m iss ion fo r inves tiga tion o f N e ta jee S ubhas C handra Bose d isappea rance deta ils estab lished by the G ove rnm en t o f India

W e a lso in form tha t the access to Federa l and S ta te A rch ive s o f the R ussian Federa tion is a llow ed w ith the perm iss ion o f Federa l a rch ives A g en cy (R osarch ives) the read ing in read ing room s o f concre te a rch ives w ith th e perm ission o f a rch ives s truc tu res au tho rities o f co rrespond ing bod ies on the basis o f appea l o f E m bassies sc ien tific research ins titu tes and pub lic o rgan iza tions

The M in is try ava ils th is oppo rtun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest considera tion

M oscow 02nd June 2007

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

MHHHCTepcTBO PiHocTpaHHbix 0eji Pocchhckoh

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No SA8907 ot 17 Mah 2007 rofla HMeeT qecrb coo6ihhtigt

cjreiyiomee

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4gteaepajibHbix h rocy^apcTBenHbix apxHBOB Pocchhckoh

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Be^oMCTBeHHbix apxHBOB - c pa3pemeHHH pyKOBO^cTBa

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nOCOJIbCTBY PECnYBJIHKH HHffHH

rMocKBa

ynpoigieHHH h oGmecTBeHHtix opraHH3auHH

MHHHCTepcTBO nojib3yeTCfl cuynaeM h t o 6 m b o3o 6 h o b h t b

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laquoJ jpound gt h i o h h 2007 ro^aI i sect f i f H o

M ocKBaWo I S P

NoSA17307

gt v

TRcT ltTv5f rram TTWTEMBASSY OF INDIA

MOSCOWriOCOIbCTBO HhaMM

MocKBa

18 September 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure of entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

J rThe Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent

vdeg a u th o r ity (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sidersquos view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set

^ up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji V A Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not

^ disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if suchaterial could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry it

could be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissionrsquos work is over Thecompetent authority is of the opinion that the material in question could be disclosed

W ^ deg the Appellant They further advised the Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi to formal clearance for the disclosure of the entire material on the above subject

J ^ ^ ^ f r o r y ^ e ^ i l i s s i a n side

- esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure of the above material maylease be communicated to this Mission at an early date

-

f

mbassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to tfte ^ in ijP r^W f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ^ of the Russian F e d e r ^ J ^(2nd Asia Department) 4 - 1 ^ gt i Csy~~~ aM o s c o w 1

6-8 yn BopoHUOBO rioie 131940 r MocKBa

Ten 007-095-783-75-35 007-095-783-75-34

wwwindianembassyru

tjgt2 t 007-095-916-36- 3 2 007-095-975-23-37

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR

JS(WelampInf) amp Central Public Information Officer has forwarded u s the CIC decision with request to initiate action in accordance with p a ra -13 th e Information Commission is all for disclosure of the material The CIC does not see any reason why the m aterial should not be disclosed now to any researcher since the Justice Mukherjee Commissionrsquos work is over Accordingly it has advised the Ministry of External Affairs to seek the formal clearance from the Russian authorities in the m atter

2 DCMrsquos last comm unication with JS(ERS) was made on 4th July 2007 DCM had forwarded the translation of the note verbale received from the Russian Foreign Office

3 In the light of above we may again send a note verbale to the Foreign Office in accordance with p a ra -13 of the CIC decision

Subm itted please

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

Sept 13 2007

NoSA17307 $ September 2007

The Embassy o f India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure o f entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

The Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent authority (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sides view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if such material could be made available to the Justice Mukheerjee Commission for inquiry they see no reason why-thisO material should iw k be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissions work is over The competent authority is of the ifem opinion that the material in question should be disclosed to the Appellant They further advised the Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi to obtain formal clearance for the disclosure o f the entire material on the above subject from the Russian side

The esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure o f the above material may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2nd Asia Department) Moscow

No R TI5517606 Ministry o f External Affairs

(RTI Division)

Subject - Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

Please find enclosed herewith Central Information Com m issionrsquos decision NoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar o f New Delhi

2 It is requested that necessary action may please be initiated in accordance with para-13 o f the CIC decision

EnclAs above

JS (Eiirasia)

(AiC Nag) Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer22-08-2007

mdash o j^ VxkxraquoA

OJLgt ^

J amp u - cVjl_JL bull

X k ~ Ajo-vyWpound

(XaA

- e j

(e-US)

V mdash j ^ bull

S c

X H bull ( 0 r h

gf if raquofn2(gt0Dy N o pound 3 amp RTI D1V200gt

Central Information Commission ilaquoWDlaquoted4i^USd|ampL~

sect $ I| | i yyNoCICOKA200600671

Dated 10 August 2007

Name of the Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar263 Kangra NiketanVikaspuri New Delhi - 110 018

Name of the Public Authority Ministry of External Affairs

Background

Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi filed an application with the PIO Ministry of

External Affairs on 2 August 2006 for seeking certified copies of the complete

correspondence the Ministry of External Affairs had with the Governments of

the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash

Chandra Bose

2 The PIO vide his letter dated 25 August 2006 informed the Appellant that

the request to the Government of USSR and the Russian Federation were made

through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels The PiO also stated that the

requisite copies of the correspondence could not be disclosed at it involves the

relations with a foreign State and so was exempt from disclosure as per the

provisions of Clause 8(1 )(a)amp(f) of the RTI Act

3 Dissatisfied with the reply of the PIO the Appellant filed an appeal with

the first Appellate Authority on 23 September 2006 who vide his letter dated 6

November 2006 again denied disclosure of the documents taking recourse to the

Section 8(1 )(a) and (i) The bench of Dr OP Kejariwal Information

mmissioner heard the matter on 23 March 2007

4 The main stand of the Respondents to the information sought by the

Appellant which is regarding the correspondence between India and the

Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia was that this

information could not be disclosed as it was likely to affect the countryrsquos

relationship with another State On making enquiries from the Respondents it

was clear that this correspondence had neither been seen nor been examined

by an expert to come to such a conclusion Therefore the Commission felt

that the Applicantrsquos application had been treated casually

5 The Commission then directed the Respondents to first have this

correspondence examined by their own experts and if need be by an outside

expert who they could rely on and then take a firm decision In case the

experts came to the conclusion that the applicability of the denial clause was

not relevant in the case the material could be disclosed to the Appellant

However in case the Respondents came to the conclusion that the relations

between the Governments of india and Russia would be affected through the

disclosure of this information the Commission would like the issue to be

settled only after a reference had been made to the Government of Russia

6 The matter was taken up for a second hearing by the bench of Dr OP

Kejariwal Information Commissioner on 10 August 2007

7 Shri AK Naag Joint Secretary (Inf amp Wei) amp CPIO and Shri Nand

Kishore Under Secretary (RTI) represented the Respondents

8 The Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar was present in person

Decision

9 The Commission heard both the sides During the hearing the

Respondents stated before the Commission that they had received a response

from the Government of the Russian Federation Moscow in pursuance of the

Commissionrsquos earlier Order in the matter dated 23 March 2007

10 This letter stated ldquoaccording to the correspondence received from the

Embassy of India Moscow the Russian Foreign Office has stated that the

documents handed over by them in June 2001 were meant only for the GOIrsquos

official use and for the work of the Commission in investigations into the

disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo

11 During the hearing the Appellant stated that his request included the

entire correspondence between the Governments of India and the USSR

regarding nf NPtajirsquos disappearance The Commission accepted this

request and directed the Respondents to clearly mention this while seeking the

approval of the Russian authorities for disclosure of this material

12 Also during the hearing the Appellant made a plea for a copy of the

letter received by the Ministry of External Affairs resulting from the application

that he had made on the issue The Commission saw no objection in this

request and directs the Respondents to supply a copy of this letter to the

Appellant

13 The Commission further feels that if the material could be made

available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the

disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be

disclosed now to any Researcher now that that Commissionrsquos work is over The

information Commission therefore is all for disclosure of this material to the

Appellant However it advises the Ministry of External Affairs to seek a formal------ ------ - _ ____________ ___

clearance from the Russian Authorities in the matter

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110018

Shri AK Nag Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) a Central Public Information Officer Room No 207 Akbar Bhawan Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110021

3 Shri Ajay Choudhary Additional Secretary amp Appellate Authority Room No 144 C South Block Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110011

4 Officer Incharge NSC

5 Press E Group CIC

(OP Kejariwal) Information Commissioner

Cc

The Statesman

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17 August 2007

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01

[ India ]-

Netaji filesrsquo disclosure ordered

New Delhi Aug 16 The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the external affairs ministry to disclose its correspondence with the erstwhile USSR over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra BoseldquoThe Commission feels that if the material could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be disclosed to any researcher nowrdquo information commissioner Mr OP Kejariwal saidThe Commission made this observation while hearing Mission Netajirsquos plea for certified copies of the complete correspondence between India and the USSR over Netajirsquos disappearance in 1945 The CIC in its decision relied on a letter from officials in Moscow that said the documents which were handed over to India were meant for ldquoofficial use and for the work o f the Mukherjee Commission n PTI

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http wwwthestatesmannetpagenewsphpclid=2amptheme=ampusrsess=lampid=l 66383 8172007

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Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR and noting of FS(Pol) thereon

2 It seems the Russian Foreign Office does not want to add anything beyond what they have already pu t in the note verbale of Ju n e 22 2007 However if the said note verbale is read together with the bilateral Agreement of 2000 it becomes clear th a t there is no bar oft supplying confidential information to persons asking for the sam e According to Article 3b ot the Agreement decisions to hand over particular classified information shall be taken by the Parties on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the laws of their States

3 Moreover as a scrutiny of the correspondences between the SovietRussian and Indian sides shows they do not contain any sensitive information All the correspondences convey the result of the search in the Russian Archives Perhaps tha t is why JS(CNV) was inclined to suggest the disclosure of the correspondences

4 Given my positive view on the m atter for disclosure of the correspondences I would however like to propose tha t the Ministry may be sent a copy of the note verbale received from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to take into cognizance of the Agreement of 2000 before taking any final decision on the m atter If needed LampT Division in the Ministry may also be consulted

Subm itted please

(r

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

July 3 2007

No 42952DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation and in reference to the Note SA8907 dated 17th May 2007 has honour to inform the following -

The documents from Russian archives referred to in the Embassyrsquos note in particular handed over in June 2001 for official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set up by it for the investigation of circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

cm)

a

W e further inform that the access to materials belong to federal and state archives of the Russian Federation is given with the consent of Federal Agency of Achieves (Rosarchiv) and permission to work in reading halls of agency archives is given by authorities of archives belong to concerned agencies on direct requests by embassies scientific amp research institutions and social organizations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation assurances of its highest consideration

^ ft o j L (vLoo jP xjlJ~plt~ Moscow 22 June 2007

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NoS -^ V JS (E R S )0 7

I

9 hTIclt o agtA

P ^ gt r^ yV lt gt V gilaquo )laquo A ^ t Ministry o f External AffairsSouth Block New D elh i-110 011 M ail jsers m eagovin

J L ^ 7 7 0 A A t u - Phone 23017411

PhFax 2 3 0 1 9 2 2

j 3 gt kC ) h ^ Alt 5 ^ ^ M-V r Vw

T his is w ith reference to m y le tter no 11 J S (E R S)2007 d a ted April 20 2007 regard ing a req u e s t m ade u n d e r ldquoRight to in form ationrdquo (copy enclosed for ready reference) It is req u ested th a t th e R u ssian s id e rsquos resp o n se m ay kindly be in tim ated^atjan early da te ^ ^

rajj-vMaaS

Y ours sincerely

(Dr J Bhagwati

X ^h ri D ivyabh M an ch an d a D eputy C hief of M ission E m bassy of Ind ia Moscow

Copy to

AS(PP) JS(CNV)

(Dr J Bhagwati)

No 11 JS (E R S ) 2 0 0 7

Deari

Please refer to AS (PP) an d Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 M arch 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence betw een the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra B osersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E u rasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm w ith the R ussian side w hether they would have any objection to release of correspondence received from them on th is subject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos response m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

S d -(Dr J Bhagwati)

Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) A^(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

S

20 April 2007h

( Dr J Bhagwati )

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tel 7837535 Fax 9752337

NoSA8907 17 May 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 2YuA dated 8 January 1992 and subsequent correspondence (viz No 73YuA dated 27 October 1995 N 547 dated 20 March 1997 19073DA dated 20 March 2003 and 59542DA dated 6 October 2004) including a letter from Ambassador Yu Kutov regarding information about the reported stay of a former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

An Indian citizen had filed a petition under the Right to Information Act 2005 for obtaining all informationdocuments relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The information obtained from the Russian side was denied to the appellant at that time

^Thereupon an appeal was filed by the concerned citizen and currently the V Government of India is considering whether the informationdocuments

-t obtained from Russian authorities on the subject could be released toappellant Views of the Russian side whether the information provided by

( them could be released to the appellant would be essential for the^ f Government of India to take decision on the matter

The esteemed Ministryrsquos views on the matter may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the

s of its highest consideration

f V Ministry of Foreign AffairsL o f the Russian Federation

cr - A sia Department) ^V ^^(V io sco w

A V

Ministry o f External Affairs South Block N ew D elh i-110 011 Mail jsers m eagovinMail jsers m ea Phone 23017411

i]r

Phone 23017411 PhFax 23011922

S e c r e t

No H JS (E R S )2007

Dear L b ]

Please refer to AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence between the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra Bosersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E urasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm with the R ussian side w hether they would have

amp any objection to release of correspondence received from them on thissubject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos re~sponse m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

^Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) AS(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

( Dr J B hagw ati)

V

V No^5AS(PP)2007

Right to Inform atioi Timt

Most Im

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)rsquos Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Inform ation Act 2 005

Shri Anuj Dhar had initially requested this Ministry last year requesting form information on the following two points-

1 Certified copies of complete correspondence the MEA has had with the Governments o f the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

2 Confirmation on whether the Ministry had sought information from the erstwhile Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation by merely issuing Notes Verbale or some serious efforts were ever made at a higher (say Ministerial) level to uncover the mystery surrounding the fate of Netaji

filed an appeal with the CIC The appeal was considered by the CIC on 23 March 2007 The CIC has directed that the Ministry should have the documents under reference carefully examined by a panel of experts to determine whether the information sought by the applicant can be given or not

While we have not received the final decision of the Commission this would a time-bound exercise and it is therefore requested that JS(CNV) may please make the records available to me for a preliminary examination so that expeditious action can be taken on receipt of the formal decision of the CIC

The information was denied to Shri Dhar by this Ministry whereupon he

(AjAdditional Secretary (PP) fit

Appellate Authority (RTI) 28 March 2007

JS(CNV)

Copy forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with the request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me as soon as possible

o f iHC-ifl no 3 20 HOO bull rsquobull bullP

vrrwr 5fn tnrvtEMBASSY OF IN D IA

6-0 Ulitsa Obukha M O S C O W

Tel No 237-0820

t t v

Septe mb er 16 1991

The Embassy of I nd ia presents its compli me nt s to the Mi nistry of For ei gn Aff ai rs of the USSR and has the ho nour to enclose her ew it h a c o ll ect io n opound documents or NetSji S ub ha sh C h an d ra B o s e at one time a President of the Ind-ior N at io na l C o n g r e s s and a leading fig are in ths Indian freedom movement received from H r _ Ch it ts S s s u M em b er of P ar l ia m en t and Gene ra l Secretary All r d i a Forward Bloc a group founded by Meta ji Subhas-i X h 3 n d r a Fgt = $ e ord at present a c o n s t it ue n t of tne Left Front G o v e r n shyment in the Indian state of West Bengal

2 In these d o c u me n ts there are su ggestions quotingthe then Soviet A m b a s s a d o r in Kabul and the Soviet Vice Consu l in T e h er an to the effect that Netaji Subhash Chandra

itighr have found his way to the Soviet Union after the alleged ae ro p la n e cr as h in August 1 9 A 5 As recently as March 5 I990 The H i n d u s t a n Time an Indian daili n e w s p a p e r quoted a scholar of the Soviet Institute if Or ie nt al S t ud ie s to the effect t h a t there are t c S o v i e t sc ho la rs who have applied to tne Covernen-c of the US Sr for pe rm is si on to e xa min e cla ss if ie d documents

3- In the light of the current policy on Soviet nationala r ch i ve s the Embassy of India would appreciate if an rate- rial that sheds light on the fate of Netaji Subhush Chandra Dose in the a rch iv es of S ov ie t or ga nisations including s ec u r i t y o r g a ni s at io ns is made available to the Embassy of India

A The Ere bossy of India n vails itself of this opportunityto renew to the M i n s t r y of Foreign Affairs of the USSH the a s s u r a n c e s of its highest c on si deration

Seal

M i n i t r y of Foreign Af fa ir s Covernment of USSRM o s c o bullgt

E rc 1 a s a b o v e

if nI

(rough translation)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation

No ZAuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that according to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no information whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow8 January 1992

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

trrlter r_ EM B A S S Y OF INDIA6-8 Ulitsa Voiomsovo Polyo

N o S A 8 3 9 5 July 27 19SS

The Embassy of India presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to correspondence resting with their Note Verbaie No 2YuA of S January 15S2 regarding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Enclosed is a booklet which contends that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may have come to the former Soviet Union in 1945 There has teen further speculation in this context reportedly on the basis of archival materials In view of this it would be highly appreciated if ail materials available on the subject couid be examined for a final determination on whether or not Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose entered or stayed anywhere in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 or subsequently

The Embassy of India avails itself of tnis opportunity to renew to tne Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration - bull -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (South Asia Department) Moscow

v

(Unofficial T ransl

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

73YuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central Archival Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents^of Modern History no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to

renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 1995

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1995 Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years W e have now been informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory otthe former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador Kotov forwarding the note categorically asserts th a t we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soilrdquo and that extensive research can hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovrsquos letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

2 I would like you to please bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

(Pripuran Singh Haer)

0 M0 5 F f l I I 0 bull rsquo 1 ~ 6 C

Pripuran Singh Haer Charge dAffaires

MOSPOL125190

r o h o11 bull i bull r o j o o r i

trn s laquoPi j a r m rrcsl p - igt llsquo7EM B A S S Y OF INDIA

6-8 U l iu a Votomsovo PolyM O S C O W

Tel No S i 7-CS20 Tolex 413409 INDEMSU

Tgts Fa bullbull-9 3

October 31 19S5

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1SSS Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years We have now bee informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1595 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is nc

s informatcn whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory cf the formeSoviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador

ji Kotov forwarcing the note categorically asserts that we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soil and that extensive research can

1 hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovsbullvu letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

v jf2 1 wouid iike you to piesse bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

kt (Pripuran Singh Haer)

Shri R L Narayan Joint Secretary (EE) Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi

diams i iL Mr Ror on Sen Arnba ssador of Ind ia to th e R u s s i a n F e d e r a t i o n

D e a r R o n e n

E n c lo sed Y o u will find o u r no te c o n c e rn in g S u b h a sh C h a n d ra

Bose D o bel ieve th a t we have t r ied o u r best to discover any relevant

I actsU n f o r tu n a te ly I a m p ro fo u n d ly d is t ressed being u n a b le to provide

t any posi t ive in f o r m a t i o n on th e subject o f no t th e least im p o r t a n c e for

the In d ia n public Alas by now it a p p e a r s that we can be su re tha t Netnj has neve r set foot o n th e R u ss ia n soil Extensive re sea rch car r ied out

u p o n th e latest r eq u es t o f Y o u r s can h a rd ly leave any d oub ts to lhgt

effect

S in ce re ly Y ours Y a K o t o v

w

r lt W 3 lt tfr s t pound 2 3 i

Intervention by H EM rAnatoly MDrukov Ambassador of Russia in India during the

eress-conference on the 210296 in le Foreign Correspondentsrsquo Club__________

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is

deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people

who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73Y uA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

inform ation on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

m uch em otion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

j i

gt J -

i

Directorate of Foreign Relatilt Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

March 20 1997

N 547

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to you and has the honour to forward herewith the letter of Mr L Joychandra Singh addressed a second time to the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

In reply to this repeated query the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence (CAMD) of the Russian Federation has pointed out that there is no other data relating to the fate of Subhash Chandra Bose besides the information conveyed to you vide letter No1843 dated October 28 1996 (enclosing No222672 of the CAMD)

We request you to kindly inform Mr L Joychandra Singh of the above reply from the Archives

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Military Wing of the Embassy of India in Moscow the assurances of its highest consideration

Military Attache in the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation

Brig D Singh

No 19073DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federations presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassyrsquos note verbale No SA 1003 dated 8 January 2003 and the Ministryrsquos note verbale No 1423DA dated 28 June 2001 has the honour to inform you about the following

A search was conducted for documents related to the fate ofSCBose in the following federal archives

Russian State Military Archive (RGVA) Russian State Archives of Socio-Political History (RGASPI) State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) and Russian State Historical Archives of the Far East (RGIA DV) The information requested for was not found in the GARF RGVA and RGIA DV archives

Copies of the documents found in the RGIA DV Archives were sent to the Embassy in 2001

No information has been found about the fate of SC Bose in the Central Archives of the Russian FSB the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in the m anuscript section of the Russian State Library or in the Russian State Archives of Photographic Documents (RGAKFD)

We would also like to inform th a t the personnel archives of Eva Yakovlevna Lyusternik were sent after her death to the Russian Academy of Sciencesrsquo Institute of Oriental Studies and the open part of the archival m aterial on IV Stalin was sent from the archives of the President of the Russian Federation to RGASPI

The Ministry would like to use th is opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

M inistry of Foreign AtlairsR u ssian F ed eratio n

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Moscow 20th March 2003

^ M la iet ja Affaireo f the deration

No S 9 5 4 2 A A

The M inistry of Foreign Affairs of th e R ussian Federation p resen ts its com plim ents to the Em bassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and in continuation of Note No 55382XA dated Septem ber 14 2004 h as the honour to intorm th a t Information sought on the fate of Ind iarsquos p rom inent political figure Netaji S u b h ash C hand ra Bose was no t found in the C entral Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia

The M inistry avails of th is opportun ity to renew to the Em bassy the a ssu ra n ce s of its highest consideration

M oscow October 6 2004

E m bassy o f th e Republic o f India M oscow -

Ministry o f External Affairs CNV Division

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Information Act

Reference note at FR from AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) regarding CICrsquos directives on appeal by Shri Anuj Dhar who was denied information requested concerning disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his whereabouts in the former USSRRussia i f any

2 Vide letter o f 020806 at FA Shri Dhar had requested for (a) certified copies o f complete correspondence between MEA and the Government o f USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referring to Our Embassyrsquos intervention with the Russian MFA in 199219951997 2001 and 2003 and (b) whether MEA sought information from the Russian side in a routine manner through issue o f Note Verbales or some serious efforts were made at a higher level

3 Vide issue o f 250806 at FB CPIO on the basis o f inputs from CNV Division replied to Shri Dhar conveying that (a) requests to the Governments o f the USSRRussia were made through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels and (b) requisite copies o f the correspondence sought cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under provisions of Clause 8(l)(a)amp (f) o f the RTI Act Under Clause8(1)(a) there is noobligation to give any citizen information disclosure o f which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity o f India the security strategic scientific or economic interests o f the State relation with foreign State or lead to incitement o f an offence Under Clause 8(l)(f) there is no obligation to give ldquoinformation received in confidence from foreign governmentrdquo

4 Shri Dhar vide his letter o f 230906 at FC had appealed to then Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) on the ground that the reasons given by the CPIO denying him the information aslced for are untenable With regard to the intervention with the USSRRussian Government for information on Netajirsquos disappearance Shri Dhar seeks to know if this matter was pursued at a higher (say Ministerial) level Regarding Ministryrsquos resort to Clause 8(l)(a) Shri Dhar wrote that this is not intelligible to him as to how correspondence dealing with the disappearance o f a national hero can be threat to India or its relations with USSR which does not exist and has been disowned by the successor state o f the Russian Federation He has also questioned as to why information received in this matter o f national importance should be confidential In response to the appeal C lW Division has conveyed to JS (Inf) and CPIO vide its note dated 011106 at FD that (a) the information sought for by Shri Dhar ie whether serious efforts were made with interventions at higher levels with the Russian Government to seek information on Netajirsquos disappearance does not constitute ldquoinformationrdquo as defined in the RTI Act and the question is anecdotal in nature and (b) that copies o f correspondence cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under the relevant clauses in the RTI Act Though there is no evidence on this NGO file it is our understanding that these views were conveyed by the Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) to Shri Dhar Presumably what was meant was that Shri Dhar was seeking the opinion o f the MEA as to whether the efforts made by GOl in its interventions with the Russian Government were serious or just routinely taken up Since such lsquoopinionrsquo is not covered under Clause 1(0 hence it cannot be construed as lsquoinformationrsquo

6 The undersigned has gone through all available records in NGO Section pertaining to correspondence with the USSRRussian Governments seeking information on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose In particular attention is drawn to a note recorded in December 1998 at FE on linked file giving the chronological background to suchcorrespondence starting from May 1990 in the Note for Supplementaries prepared for Rajya Sabha Starred Question No 174 for answer on 101298 dealing with the Asiatic Societyrsquos request for access to Russian archives It may also be seen from the attached

A

Anticipated Questions and their Answersrsquo that Ministry was willing to disclose the contents o f the Note Verbale received from the Russian Government in response to IUdiaji demarches regarding information on Netaji on the floor o f the House There is no i available on NGO files to indicate if such information was in fact disclosed on the flooi o f the House when the PQ was answered However the point to note is Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose such information As per the last line under Clause 8 o f RTI Act ldquoinformation which cannot be denied to the Parliament or the State legislature shall not be denied to any personrdquo Therefore if such information has already been disclosed on the floor o f the House or even by virtue o f Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose we may no deny such information requested by Shri Anuj Dhar

7 Chronologically the correspondence copies available on file and linked files and sought by Shri Dhar are listed as under

(a) NV No Nil dated 160991 from EI Moscow to MFA USSR Government at FF on linked file

(b) NV No 2YuA dated 080192 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at -FGv -- bullbullbulllaquo mdash bullbull

(c) NV No SA8395 dated 270795 from EI M oscow to MFA Russian Government at FH on linked file

(d) NV No 73YuA dated 271095 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at FI

(e) DO letter from CDA EI Moscow enclosing Amb Kotovrsquos letter to Amb Ronen Sen at FJ on linked file

(f) Record o f intervention by Russian Ambassador to India at a press IK lrsquo ltonffirericebnrsquo2i0296 at FK on linked file

(g) NV No N547 dated 200397 from Russian Defence Ministry to EI Moscow at FL

(h) NV No 19073DA dated 200303 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow aft FM and

(k) NV No 59542DA dated 061004 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow 4 FN

8 A perusaldf the available correspondence shows the continuous effort made by the Ministry through the Embassy in Moscow to obtain information available i f any on Netajirsquos whereabouts in Russia It also shows that such effort was made at very high levels even through correspondence between the Indian Ambassador to Russia and his Russian counterpart One such correspondence is even addressed to a private Indian citizen in Manipur and the same has been passed on to him by our Embassy in Moscow There is no evidence to suggest that such correspondence was received in confidence an not to be disclosed However it would be beyond the competence o f CNV Division to make such a judgment merely on perusal ofthe filesrecords available in NGO SectionAS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) may like to consult Eurasia Division and Embassy o f India Moscow on whether disclosure o f such information under RTI woulc be detrimental to bilateral relations

J)(Debnath ShaiO

X At Wi bull JS (CNV)09 April 20f)7

AS fPP) amp Aeffellate Authority TRTI)

fet L 0 k f t t U a k k f c v J y -TI 4 i t i

cn v w et oA 2 4 JhV oW ei w ttC a

i CIC c h t tfcVe (jEuTA4-IAJ jrteaitcrj At-jKCdh-al tjyin cm Mm+cpL

I M i i ) J L j i t

j J 7

i

-r-

31

FAXTo AS(PP)

MEA New Delhi Fax 91-11-23013387

From First Secretary (Pol) Indembassy Moscow

Rpti) DS[Russia] MEA

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tele 007-495-9163544 Fax 007- 495-9163632

With reference to DS[Russia]rsquos message regarding AS[PP]rsquos note to JS[CNV] No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 9 April 2007 on an appeal filed under No RTI act 2005

2 Please find faxed herewith currently available few copies of this Missionrsquos correspondence with local authorities on the subject We will send more m aterial if available by the earliest diplomatic bag

U ) U v tcrv-4 j

(Dr Suresh Babu) FS [Pol]

13042007

A

- P O C C H H C K A fl A K M E M H H HAYK ^

H H C T H T Y T B O C T O K O B E ^ E H H J I

___________ JV2 ____________________

H a JVs_____________________________ T To 1Justice Mukherji

Commission o f Inquiry M irza Ghalib Street

Kolkata

Dear Sir

This is to inform you that as per your request we have checked the Private

Archive o f Prof EYaLustemic in the Indian Center o f the Institute of Oriental

Studies Russian Academy o f Sciences Moscow

We regret to inform you that there is no document on Subash Chandra Bose

With sincere regards

(Shaumian TLHead the Indian Center o f the Institute o f Oriental Studies

Russian Academy o f SciencesM oscow)

26092005

l0303l(Plttgt CHO 103753 (MeacflyHapoflHbiH) MocKBa T C n yji PoxcnecTBeHKa12 Ten (095)921-1884 (095)925-6461 Oaicc (095)975-2396 E-mail ivran orcru

In contrast to Indian National Congress Bose and his activists basically counted on armed struggle and open cooperation against enemies of England - Germany Italy and Japan Bose dreamed about freedom for India through crushing defeat of Britain Bose could not do it himself so he linked activity of his troops and groups with assault of Germany on India from the West and Japan from the East The aim of Bose was to expedite the assault in all possible ways and reinforce it from inside by subversive Anti-English activity in India and if possible to attached nature o f mass anti-British revolt However at that time not all people considered his activity as ldquosubversiverdquo Fascism was not so popular in India at that time but racism and violence were condemned everywhere A lot of Indians were satisfied with telling blows delivered hateful center o f empire by axis countries in particular against the background of British demonstrative nonshyrecognition of Indian rights for self-determination J Nehru wrote about this period How can we conciliate two basic directions of our policy - opposition to British imperialism and opposition to fascism and nazism How can we adjust our nationalism with our internationalism That was a difficult question for us taking in view current situation However this question would not be difficult if the British Government take a step to show us its refusal from imperialistic policy in India and rely on peoplersquos good willrdquo

But it did not happen Indian public reacted accordingly Describing the psychological atmosphere in the country that time Jawaharlal Nehru wrote ldquoPeople were pushing out not by patriotic feelings but by their willingness to save themselves from an offense and the worstrdquo

So S Bose did not have any mass support but he could use the mood of majority for his own purposes Nehru wrote about it the following ldquoProtection of the imperialism which we were fighting with for such a long time seemed to be non-sense and impossible to usrdquo

Unofficial translation

ldquoMatsottardquo is obtaining Soviet visa

Instructions were really complicated It was necessary to send Subhas Chandra Bose to Germany He was wanted by Britain secret service colonial Administration and local police throughout India Bose was staunch and irreconcilable adversary of Great Britain and may be the most dangerous one at that time

Extracts of the book whiten by Yuri L Kuznets ldquoMarauders are quitting the gamerdquo

Published in 1992 by ldquoInterprakstrdquo Moscow

Of course Bose made his main counting on the military defeat of England at the time when Hitlerrsquos Germany had been already at the war with it and Japan was still neutral So Bose was interested in Berlin When Japan occupied Burma and came close to the Indiarsquos borders Bose reoriented to the Far East

In spring 1941 his ways crossed with Bhagat Ram Bose decided to shift from India to Berlin because some of his friends and relatives were arrested in India and he by himself also was wanted He needed Hitlerrsquos support including financial one Ports we under police control and departure trough one of them was very risky Bose took another way and in February came to Kabul He was accompanied by Bhagat Ram who was not a member o f Bosersquos organization he did not like axis-members but he was posted as Bosersquos escort by his party ldquoKirti Kissanrdquo because o f his knowledge of Phushtun zone which they had to cross as well as Afghanistan and Kabul He also had his own flat in Kabul - the premises which belonged to Ultam Chang and his shop It was supposed that Ram was doing a favour to Bose only due to their common aim - to weak British positions in India at most

Ram fulfilled his task Bose settled down in Kabul and started to make arrangements for the next step of his journey During war time he could come to Germany only through the territory o f USSR For this purpose he required a passport which he did not have German Embassy applied to the Italian one Italians considered the German request positively Bose got passport in respect of Italian citizen Mazzotta Holding this passport Bose applied to the Soviet Embassy for transit visa crossed the USSR territory and came to Berlin

Mazzotta disappeared But German Consulate General drew attention to Bhagat Ram who was introduced as a powerful Indian activist in Afghanistan and India with anti-British orientation It was o f interest and he was suggested to work for the German Secret Service German resident was satisfied with Ramrsquos past his contacts and mood especially because he was concerned about difficulties o f the anti-British activities in India shortage of agents and information as well as conspiratorial bases in India Bosersquos recommendation also helped Ram was thinking it would be important for me and my party to establish contacts with enemies of their enemies

Offer on co-operation was accepted Ram left German Consulate having 100 000 Indian Rupees in his pocket 12 guns and ballets Money and arms were required by the people whom Ram would be recruiting in India Since May 1941 after the German finished their checking Ram had become the main agent o f the German Secret Service in India

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337 Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 9 4 0 5 September 9 2005

The Em bassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Em bassyrsquos earlier Note Verbales on the visit of a delegation of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 20-30 2005 in connection with enquiring into the facts and circum stances relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

It is confirmed th a t all logistical arrangem ents for official JMCI delegation and the accompanying eight deponents would be facilitated by the Embassy with no financial implications to the Russian side

It would be appreciated if the decision of the esteemed Ministry on visas for the visiting team may kindly be expedited

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

Copy to Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

No 5830 2DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Notes No SA16605 of 08 August No SA17405 of 18 August and No SA17905 and No SA18005 of 26 August this year has the honour to inform as follows

Justice Mukherjee as a Head of the Delegation set up by the Government of India to inquire about life of Subhas Chandra Bose pertaining to the period from 1945 onwards as well as the accompanying delegation will be given access to the documents kept in the Reading Halls o f the Federal and State Archives of the Subjects o f the Russian Federation in Moscow St Petersburg Irkutsk and Omsk through the Federal Archives Agency of the Russian Federation All expenditures related to the arrangements for their visit air-passage accommodation transport and medical insurance etc should be borne by the Indian side The Federal Archive Agency requests to inform Mr MK Mukherjee of the addresses of Federal Archives given below

1 Russian State Archive for social and political history - 103 821 Moscow 15 B Dmitrovka Str Director - Kiril M Anderson Tel 229 97 26

2 Russian State Archive of Audio- Photo Documents - 143 400 Moscow Region Krasnogorsk 1 Rechnaya Str Director - Lyudmila P Zapryagaeva Tel 562 14 64 563 08 45

3 Russian State Archive for Phono Documents 105 005 Moscow3 2ya Baumanskaya Str Director - Vladimir A Kolyada Tel 261 13 00

4 Russian State Naval Archive - 191 186 St Perersburg 36 Millionnaya Str Director - Vladimir S Sobolev Tel (812)312 11 37

The Federal Archives Agency recommends the following for work with the documents o f

- Central State Archive of St Petersburg - to apply to St Petersburg Archives Committee (193 015 St Petersburg 39 Tavricheskaya Str) Chairman of the Committee - Mr Anatoly D Yashkov Tel (812) 271 44 55)

- State Archive of Omsk Region - to apply to the Archive Department of the Ministry for State and Legal Development o f Omsk Region Head - Ms Galina Yu Borodina (644 099 Omsk 1 Tretyakova Str) Tel (381-2) 25 57 26

- State Archive of Irkutsk Region - to apply to Archive Department of Irkutsk Region Head - Ms Nadezhda K Shestakova (664003 Irkutsk 36a Gorkogo Str) Tel (395-2) 24 06 42

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow ldquo 15 ldquo September 2005

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA Moscow

slvNon-paper

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P o c c h h Ndeg 2 5 5 7 2 amp A o t 1 8 0 7 2 0 0 5 r )

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P o c c h h c k o h O e jep a n H H (3aKOH 06 apxHBHOM fle jie o t 2 0 0 4 r ) p a 6oTa c

HepacceKpeHeHHbiM H jjoKyMeHTaMH pa3pemeHa j i h h i l c i p o r o o n p e^ e jieH H o n

K aTeropH H jihh 6e3 b c h k h x HCKjiioneHHH 3 t o K acaeT ca He to j ib k o

npe^cT aB H T eneH f lp y r a x ro c y n a p c T B h o h rp aac^ aH P o c c h h c k o h O e ^ e p a ip iH

H c x o ^ h H3 flpyacecTBeHHoro xapaKTepa p o c c h h c k o - h h a h h c k h x OTHOineHHH

H npHHHMafl BO BHHMaHHe 3HaHHMOCTb 3TOH TeMBI RJIX HHflHHCKOH CTOpOHbl

poccHftcKHe KOMneTeHTHBie opraHbi npoBenH H C H epnbm aiom H e H3bicKaHHfl

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KOTOpbix 6bm BbWBJieH p a fl AOKyMeHTOB b KOTopbix ynoMHHajiocb h m s C H E o ca

Bee o h h b KonHH nepe^aHbi h h ^ h h c k o h CTopoHe (b H a crao c T H HaHjeHHbiH b

2004 r b apxHBax OCE 46-th CTpaHHHHbiH OKyMeHT)

B 3aK pbiTbix apxH BH bix (J)OHflax HaxoA5imHxcfl Ha TeppHTOpHH P o cchh ck o h

O e^epaHH H KaKHX-jinSo CBe^eHHH 0 CHEoce He o6HapygtKeHo

9

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow___ Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337

Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 8 0 0 5 August 26 2005

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Embassyrsquos earlier communications regarding the visit of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 18-30 2005

By way of background information given below are the relevant details of JMCI -

(i) The Government o f India Ministry o f Home Affairs New Delhi vide a gazette notification No S 0339(B) dated 14th May 1999 appointed Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry for Inquiry into the Alleged Disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under Section (3) o f the Commission o f Inquiry Act o f 1952 (60 o f 1952)

(ii) As per this notification Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry shall inquire into all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945 and subsequent developments connected therewith including-(a) whether Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is dead or alive(b) I f he is dead whether he died in the plane crash as alleged(c) Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are the ashes o f Netaji(d) Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and if

so when and how(e) I f he is alive in respect o f his whereabouts

(iii) The Commission shall also examine the manner in which the exercise o f Scrutiny o f Publications touching upon the question o f death or otherwise on Netaji can be undertaken by the Central Government in the circumstances

(iv) Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry is funded by the Ministry o f Home Affairs Government o f India and is an official Commission

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

Copy to M inistry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV t J 001

A MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS (PP) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of material immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

Deputy Secretary (Russia) Ph 23015199 Intercom 2285

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

Dr T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

T c J i h irvMUt(SOMNATH GHOSH)

Deputy Secretary Ministry of External Affairs

New Deifci

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 1^1002

( t

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No R T I-2 pound _ A S (P P )2 0 0 7

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance_of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anufpfiar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) 6t

Appellate Authority (RTI) 09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

g^py forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - H W U(Ajal Choudhfy)

1 o 7

0 v

j N lsquoaA gt ^ 1 ^

04 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV

MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS-iEP-) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of matenal immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

D tpu ij u su ta i J iu J o ia JPh 23015199 Intercom 228S

D r T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

h i 7-

_100pound 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 002

Most Immediate

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No RTI-HiLAS(PP) 2007

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed bv Shri Anul Dhar under RTI 200S - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anurbhar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC ------ = = = = mdash

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) amp

Appellate Authority (RTI)09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

JZopy forwarded to JS(Eurasla) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - t t U X f (Ajal ChoudMfy)

k

Buff 43402

Square C u t Raider A4 434Made in London

Blue 43403 Green 43404 Grey 43405 Orange 43406 Pink 43407 Red 43408 Yellow 43409 Mauve 43414

Page 8: V ' . . . Disci* wi/K 0*s*/ - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ...

3 7 S ^

Intervention by HEMrAnatoly MDrukov mbassador of

Bress-conferenceie Foreign Correspondents Clu b

_______ b y ________ Ambassador of Russia in India during the gtress-conference on the 210296 in

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

information on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

much emotion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

copyEmbassy of India

Moscow

Deputy Secretary(Eurasia) has requested this Missionrsquos input on Part 2 of the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP seeking information under RTI Act 2005 whether Netaji Subash Chandra Bose is still alive in Okotoks Jail in Siberia and if notldquosought the information about the prisoner who has been lodged in Okotoks Jailrdquo

2 As per records available in the Mission Russian Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 informed that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose having stayed on the territory o f the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years

3 Copies o f following relevant correspondence received from Russian side are placed below -

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Ambassador YuKotov to Ambassador Ronen Sen (with enclosure)

4 DFA is placed below for approval pi

SS(Pol)892014

Counselfor(Pol)

I

E-MailFax

No MOSPOL125190 September 9 2014

From Indem bassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) from SS(Pol)

Please refer to your mail dated Sept 3 2014 seeking inputs on Part 2 o f the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose

2 Copies o f the follow ing relevant correspondence received from Russian side are attached-

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Amb Kotov to Amb Ronen Sen

3 It may be seen from the above papers that there is no r ^

particular ja il m entioned in the applicantrsquos query Henee - it would b e -pppmpriatR_to_rep ly -to -tho applicant that- nomdashstteh-- informationmdashismdash-available with -asv

a v a i l a b l e mdash ^ - ^ t h e stay o f Netaji Subash Chandra

W ith Regards

(Gopal Ram) Second Secretary (Pol)

C o u n s e llo r (P o litic a l)

Pag o f 1

I f I

From d irers ltd ire rs m eagovingtltm inpo l ind ianem bassyrugt

~ent W ednesday S ep tem ber 03 2014 1113 AM Attach IM G pdf Subject S P A M ldquo RTI MOST IMMEDIATE

For Counsellor (Pol)

Enclosed please find an RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate seeking information on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

It is requested that Missions inputs on Part 2 of the question raised in the RTI application may be sent to us at an early date

Regards

Pankaj Saxena Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) Ministry of External Affairs RoomNo235G South Block New Delhi-110 011 Tel 2301 4600

ltK

4 ^ A ^ c A U - f o -

f j - W j2 v

bull

932014

A l fr

p o litic a l d ip lo m a tic s o lu tio n H o w e v e r w e re fo c u s e d m ilita r i ly o n s t re n g th e n in g d e fe n s e o f o u r a llie s T h a t s o u r c o re ta s k R a s m u s s e n s a id b e fo re a m e e tin g w ith E U d e fe n s e m in is te rs

W e re r ig h t n o w c o n s id e r in g fu r th e r s te p s to s tre n g th e n o u r c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e A s I in d ic a te d th a t a ls o in c lu d e s w h a t I w o u ld ca ll a p p ro p r ia te d e p lo y m e n ts h e a d d e d c o m m e n tin g on th e c u rre n t a g e n d a

B u t its a b it to o e a r ly to g o in to d e ta ils a s to h o w w e w ill in c o n c re te te rm s s tre n g th e n c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e B u t no o n e s h o u ld d o u b t o u r d e te rm in a t io n to e n s u re in te n s iv e d e fe n s e a n d p ro te c tio n o f a ll a ll ie s R a s m u s s e n s ta te d w ith n o fu r th e r d e ta ils o n th e a ll ia n c e s p ro s p e c t iv e s tra te g y

S p e a k in g a t p r io r m e e tin g s th e S e c re ta ry -G e n e ra l a ls o v o ic e d c o n c e rn s a b o u t c la s h e s in e a s te rn U k ra in e b e tw e e n p ro - fe d e ra liz a t io n p ro te s te rs a n d fo rc e s lo y a l to th e g o v e rn m e n t c a llin g on R u s s ia to d e -e s c a la te th e c r is is a n d pu ll b a c k its la rg e n u m b e r o f tro o p s in c lu d in g s p e c ia l fo rc e s fro m th e a re a a ro u n d U k ra in e s b o rd e r w h ile w a rn in g th a t a n y fu r th e r R u s s ia n m ilita ry in te r fe re n c e w o u ld o n ly d e e p e n R u s s ia s in te rn a t io n a l is o la t io n

R u s s ia n F o re ig n M in is te r S e rg e i L a v ro v re je c te d W e s te rn a c c u s a t io n s th a t R u s s ia w a s b e h in d th e c r is is in s o u th e a s te rn U k ra in e s a y in g n e ith e r R u s s ia n s e c u r ity a g e n ts n o r s o ld ie rs h a v e b e e n d e p lo y e d to th e re g io n

T h e M in is try s a id th a t N A T O is a tte m p tin g to u s e th e U k ra in ia n c r is is a s an im a g in a ry th re a t to u n ite th e a ll ia n c e s m e m b e rs p u s h in g fo r R u s s ia s is o la t io n

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M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Tel 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u s rs m e a g o v in

WI (AD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u F S (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P lease find a ttached a self-exp lanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f Subhash C hand ra Bose u n d er the R T I Act for kind necessary action a t your end

ahul S hrivastava) U n d er S ecre tary 7 Janu ary 2 0 0 8

No RTI5517606Ministry of External Affairs

( RTI Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquos note WI (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content of the note was conveyed to the Information Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government of

j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russian 1 Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the National

Achieve o f India

We have received a communication to this effect from the CIC which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(AK Nag) JS (Wei amp Inf) amp CPIO

December 18 2007

In fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r

gt O P KEJARIWAL fe laquoft-110067 B lo ck-IV 5 th F lo o r O ld JN U C a m p u s

N e w D e lh i-1 1 0 0 6 7 T ele fax 26717351

C entra In fo rm a t io n C o m m is s io n

November 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T I5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian Governm ent for disclosure of the N eta ji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar We have now received a le tte r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N eta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portan t from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere ind iv idualrsquos in terest He suggests and reuests therefore that this m ateria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India from abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m a tte r t h erefore is pursued w ith the I Russian G overnm ent so th a t w hatever m ateriah s o f va lue a nd in te rest to India m ay com e to us especially in the present case

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) Ministry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

Yours sincerely

(OP Kejariw al)

To 26 November 2007

Dr OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner Central Information Commission Old JNU Campus New Delhi - 110067

Subject R eq u est to Ind ian Errbassy to procure p ost-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian arch ives

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter NoR TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2007 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision N oC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made v this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the

Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Embassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

i

2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing ruies or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at times provide information A request from the Embassy of India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

^ would not yvant this exercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant records are identified the Embassy may procure them for the National Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India

since they are likely to provide a never befc 3 insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world w a r for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n L ____2 63 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mayzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez iden ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)[A rch ive o f the P res id en t o f the R uss ian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lsk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606-13-33 Fax (495 ) 606 -19 -66

2 Is to riko-dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del R F (ID D M ID) [H is torico-D ocum enta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in is try o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o lenska ia -S enna ia p loshchad 3234 Tel (495) 244-32-19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i po litik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (A V P RF)[A rch ive o f Fore ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241-04-80

4 Tsen tra lrsquonyi a rkh iv M in is te rs tva o bo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f D e fense]142100 M oskovskaia ob las t P odo lrsquosk ul K irova 74 Tel (495) 715-90-05 (0967) 54-00-03

5 G lavno je R azvedyva te lno je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilitary In te lligence D irecto ra te arch ives Address not know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 TsentraPnyi a rkh iv Federa lno i s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (TsA FSB R ossjj)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F edera l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzhby vneshne i razvedki RF (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)[O perational A rch ive o f the Fore ign In te lligence S erv ice ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 5110Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 245 -33 -68 Fax (495) 247-05-29

8 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (TsA M VD R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In te rna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovocherem ushk inska ia 67 (Archive) ul Zoi i A leksa nd ra K osm odem iansk ikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-90

2

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-0

F a x M e s s a g e P n o m

7 Jan 2008 1626

NameFax Number

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C

L i

DIRlt ERS)MEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1626 P0105

M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Te l 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u srs m eag o v in

WI(AJD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u FS (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P le as e find a ttached a self-explanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f S ubhash C hand ra Bose under the RT Act for kind necessary action a t your end

lahul S h rivastava) U n d e rs e c re ta ry 7 J a n u a ry 2 0 0 8

DIR(ERS gtMEflRNQ235C 7 Jan 2008 16=26 P020b

No RTI5517606 Ministry of External Affairs

( RTX Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquo s note W I (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser o f complete correspondence

with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash | Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content o f the note was conveyed to the Information j Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant bull The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government o f j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russiani Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the Nationali bull

W e have received a communication to this effect from the CIC

i s J

Achieve o f India

which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(A K Nag) JS (W ei amp Inf) amp CPIO1

December 18 2007

DIR( ERS gtMEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1627 P 0305

gt O P KEJARIWALSTTJprf

-MiX TR 4 58 cfcr TPTT

fcc=6ft11 0 0 6 7 Biock-lV 5th Floor Oki JNU Campus

I n fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r New Delhi-110067 Telefax 26717351

Centra Information Commission

Novem ber 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T 5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian G overnm ent fo r disclosure of the N etaji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar W e have now received a le t te r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N e ta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portant from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere individuals in terest He suggests and reuests th ere fo re that this m a te ria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India f rom abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m atte r therefore is pursued w ith the Russian Governm ent so th a t w hatever m ateria l is of va lue and interest to India may come toTis especially in the present case

Yours sincerely

(O P Kejariw al)

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) M inistry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C 7 Jan 2008 16 = 2 P 0405

02 6 N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 7

Dr OP Kejariwal information Com missioner Central Information Commission

+ Old JNU Campus N ew Delhi - 110067

Subject R e q u e s t to Ind ian Em bassy to procure post-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian a rc h ive s

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter N o R TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2 0 07 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTi Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision NoC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

lt think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Em bassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

4 2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing rules or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at tim es provide information A request from the Embassy o f India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

I would not w ant this e xercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant fcS ords s re identified the Em bassym ay procure them fo rtheN atTonal Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India since they are likely to provide a never befc s insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

1

DIR ( ERS) ME ARN0235C7 Jan 2008 16=27

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world war for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n t 2 6 3 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mazzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez idsn ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)Archive o f th e P re s id e n t o f the R ussian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lrsquosk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606 -13 -33 Fax (495) 606-19-66

2 Is to riko -dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del RF (ID D M ID) [H is to rico -D ocum en ta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in istry o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o ie nska ia -S en n a ia p loshchad rsquo 3234 Tel (495) 244 -32 -19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i p o lit ik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (AVP RF)[A rch ive o f Fo re ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241 -04 -80

4 Tsen tra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva obo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f th e M in is try o f D e fense] - bull -142100 M oskovska ia o b la s t P odo lsk ul K irova74 Tel (495 )715-90-05 (0 9 6 7 )5 4 -0 0 -0 3

5 G lavno je R a zve dyva te ln o je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilita ry In te lligence D irectora te a rch ives A ddress no t know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv FederaPnoi s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (T sA FS B R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F e de ra l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzh by vneshne i razvedki R F (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)(O perational A rch ive o f the F o re ign In te lligence Service ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 51 10Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 2 4 5 -33 -6 8 Fax (495) 247-05-29

Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (T sA M VD R ossii)[Central A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In terna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovoche rem ushk inska la 67 (Archive) ul Z o i i A le ksa n d ra K osm odem ianskikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-30

ffs

amp-3gt) i c y v

Embassy of India Moscow(Political Wing) f t

r r v ^Subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with USSRRussia over the

disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 reg

Reference remarks made by the Ambassador on FR a letter from JS (Wei ampInf) addressed to Shri OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner copy endorsed to Min (Pol) on the above subject

Back ground of the case On receipt o f a copy o f AS (PP )rsquo s Note No RTI- 36AS(PP)07 dated 942007 on the above subject Mission vide fax dated 130407 forwarded few copies o f Missionrsquos correspondence with the local authorities on the subject to AS(PP) -------- At F A

Subsequently on receipt o f JS(ERS)rsquo s letter No 1 lJS(ERS)2007 dated 20407 enclosed with A S (PP )rsquo s Note No 30AS(PP)07 amp JS(CNV)rsquo s Note along with copies o f correspondence available in CNV Division on the subject Mission has sent a Note Verbale No SA8907 dated 1752007 to Russian Foreign Ministry requesting for the views o f the Russian side whether the information provided by them could be released to the appellant -------At FB

Documents provided by Russian side and forwarded to the Commission

(i) Documents initially provided by the Russian side attached with Note Verbale No1423 DA dated 28h June 2001 which was forwarded to the Ministry on August

31 2001 may please be seen a t-----FC in the linked file

(ii ) On the basis of an affidavit submitted to the Justice Mukherjee Commission a Note Verbale No SA25904 dated December 22 2004 was sent to the M FA and reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 13142 DA dated 4 March 2005 enclosed with a copy of letter from Mr V Sayadyants to the Soviet Ambassador to Iran Mr IV Sadchikov regarding the political situation in India in 1946 may please be seen a t--------FD in the linked file

Response of the Russian side

( i) A reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 42952 DA dated 2262007 stating therein that ldquo the documents from Russian Archives handed over in June 2001 were for official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up by it for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo This was conveyed to the Ministry vide letter No MOSPOL125190 dated 472007 --------At FE

P2

2

Again on receipt o f a copy o f the decision o f Central Information Commission vide No RTI5517606 dated 22082007 (At FF) Mission took up the matter with M FA vide Note Verbale No SA17307 dated 1892007 for which a reply was received vide No 42952DA dated 11007 reiterating their view that the documents from RussianArchives were submitted exclusively for official use by the GOI including Thiswas conveyed to the Ministry vide E-gram dated 10102007-----At FG

Submitted as desired by Min (Pol) please

2

f^TT FTRTTM IN ISTR Y O F E X TE R N A L A F FA IR S

NEW D ELH I

Dated 2nd November 2007 I gt gt v

gt ldquo $

NoRTI551762006

Shri OP KejariwalInformation Commissioner Central Information Commission Club Building Old JNU Campus New Delhi-110 067 bull

Subject- Disclosure o f complete correspondenc e with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RT[ Act 2005

SirAs per directives o f the Honrsquoble Central Information

Commission contained in Para 13 o f the decisioNoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi seeking certified copies o f the complete correspondence this Ministry had with the Governments of the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

9 ^ 2 Our Embassy in Moscow again approached the Government of Russian Federation to get their consent to the disclosure o f documents under reference but the Government of Russian Federation reiterated that documents were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government o f India for investigation o f Netajee Subhash Chandra Bose disappearance

3 However they state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note o f the Embassy can approach the authorities o f the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy o f India for permission to get to know the M aterials deposited in Federal and State Archives o f the Russian Federation

OV-

g ji)

j d L

Yours faithfully

(AK Nag) Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer

_ f

- i V lt L

Copy for information forwarded to-

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110 018

2 Director(ERS) Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi with reference to his Note NoW l(AD)5511007 dated 25102007

Minister (Pol) Embassy o f India Moscow

Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp Central Public Information Officer

N o W l(A D ) 5 5 1 1 0 0 7 M inistry o f External A ffa irs

(ERS D ivision)

W ith re ference your N ote No R T I5 5 1 7 6 0 6 dated 2 2 8 2 0 0 7 to JS (E R S ) regarding d isclosure o f com plete correspondence w ith the USSRRussia o v e r th e d is a p p e a ra n c e o N e ta ji S u b h a s h C h a n d ra B o s g u n d e r R T I A c t 2005 p lease find enclosed th e unofficial translation o f th e note verb ale dated 1 0 c to b e r rsquo0 7 sent by R ussian M inistry o f Foreign Affairs in reply to the note verbale sent by our E m bassy in M o scow on the subject

(A rya S an d e e p ) D irector (E R S )

2 5 O ctob er 2 0 0 7

JS (W ei amp Inf ampCentral Public In form ation O fficer

v C op y to M in ister (Pol) E m bassy o f India M oscow

U n o ffic ia l T ra n s la tio n

Quote

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highest consideration

Moscow 01st October 2007

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

For official use only

E-GRAM

NoMOSPOL 125 190 laquo y October 10 2007

From To

Indembassy Moscow Foreign New Delhi

AStERS) from Minister (Poll

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

Q u o teUnofficial translation

Moscow 01st October 2007

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

sd-(Dr Subhakanta Behera)

Minister (Political)

a I JH

NICEMAIL r^T^X Page 1 o f 1

y

Current Folder SentMaill y II

I - Compose rsquo^ Addresses ^ Folders EOptions gt Search ^ H e lp sij^Fetch ^ss^Calen

Message List | Delete | Edit Previous I Next Forward I Forward as Attachment | Reply | Reply A ll Message as N ew ------------1 ----------- 1-------------------------------- 1 ldquo r J 1

Subject Message from EI MoscowFrom dcmmoscowmeagovinDate Wed October 10 2007 110 pm

To jsersmeagovinPriority NormalOptions V iew Full Header | V iew Printable V ersion | Add to Addressbook

Attachments

untitled -[l] Ok [texthtm l] download | view

MQS10100716dth 175 k [ applicationoctet-stream ] download

10)0o

NoMOSpOL125190 October 10 2007

From Indernbassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

AS(BRS) from Minister (Pol)

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

Q u o teUnofficial translation

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of

September 20o7 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22laquod of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

For official use only

1

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

Moscow 01st October 2007

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Minister (Political)

No64682DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and

the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 da ted the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

In add ition to the Note o f the M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion No 429 5 2D A dated the 22 nd o f June 2007 in form tha t docum ents from R ussian a rch ives w ere subm itted e xc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the

the Com m issionAfor investiga tion o f N eta jee S ubhas C handra B ose d isappea rance d e ta iis ^s ta b lis h e d by the G ove rnm en t o f IndiaD

p TU-Indian c itizen m en tioned in the Note o f the E m bassy has ^ f fg h t th rough the E m b a s sy tfo request and to fee- get to k n o w ^ a te r ia ls depos ited in Federa l and S ta te A rch ives o f the R ussian F ede ra tion w ith the perm iss ion o f its authorities

The M in is try ava ils th is opportun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest conside ra tion

M oscow 01st O ctober 2007

A ppend ix N ote N o4295 2D A

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

ampJk i A

lAK i

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No42952DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and quo ting the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 dated the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

D ocum ents from R ussian a rch ives m entioned in the N ote o f the E m bassy w ere subm itted in particu lar in June 2001 exc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the use by the C om m iss ion fo r inves tiga tion o f N e ta jee S ubhas C handra Bose d isappea rance deta ils estab lished by the G ove rnm en t o f India

W e a lso in form tha t the access to Federa l and S ta te A rch ive s o f the R ussian Federa tion is a llow ed w ith the perm iss ion o f Federa l a rch ives A g en cy (R osarch ives) the read ing in read ing room s o f concre te a rch ives w ith th e perm ission o f a rch ives s truc tu res au tho rities o f co rrespond ing bod ies on the basis o f appea l o f E m bassies sc ien tific research ins titu tes and pub lic o rgan iza tions

The M in is try ava ils th is oppo rtun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest considera tion

M oscow 02nd June 2007

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

MHHHCTepcTBO PiHocTpaHHbix 0eji Pocchhckoh

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M ocKBaWo I S P

NoSA17307

gt v

TRcT ltTv5f rram TTWTEMBASSY OF INDIA

MOSCOWriOCOIbCTBO HhaMM

MocKBa

18 September 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure of entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

J rThe Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent

vdeg a u th o r ity (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sidersquos view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set

^ up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji V A Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not

^ disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if suchaterial could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry it

could be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissionrsquos work is over Thecompetent authority is of the opinion that the material in question could be disclosed

W ^ deg the Appellant They further advised the Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi to formal clearance for the disclosure of the entire material on the above subject

J ^ ^ ^ f r o r y ^ e ^ i l i s s i a n side

- esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure of the above material maylease be communicated to this Mission at an early date

-

f

mbassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to tfte ^ in ijP r^W f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ^ of the Russian F e d e r ^ J ^(2nd Asia Department) 4 - 1 ^ gt i Csy~~~ aM o s c o w 1

6-8 yn BopoHUOBO rioie 131940 r MocKBa

Ten 007-095-783-75-35 007-095-783-75-34

wwwindianembassyru

tjgt2 t 007-095-916-36- 3 2 007-095-975-23-37

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR

JS(WelampInf) amp Central Public Information Officer has forwarded u s the CIC decision with request to initiate action in accordance with p a ra -13 th e Information Commission is all for disclosure of the material The CIC does not see any reason why the m aterial should not be disclosed now to any researcher since the Justice Mukherjee Commissionrsquos work is over Accordingly it has advised the Ministry of External Affairs to seek the formal clearance from the Russian authorities in the m atter

2 DCMrsquos last comm unication with JS(ERS) was made on 4th July 2007 DCM had forwarded the translation of the note verbale received from the Russian Foreign Office

3 In the light of above we may again send a note verbale to the Foreign Office in accordance with p a ra -13 of the CIC decision

Subm itted please

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

Sept 13 2007

NoSA17307 $ September 2007

The Embassy o f India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure o f entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

The Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent authority (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sides view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if such material could be made available to the Justice Mukheerjee Commission for inquiry they see no reason why-thisO material should iw k be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissions work is over The competent authority is of the ifem opinion that the material in question should be disclosed to the Appellant They further advised the Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi to obtain formal clearance for the disclosure o f the entire material on the above subject from the Russian side

The esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure o f the above material may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2nd Asia Department) Moscow

No R TI5517606 Ministry o f External Affairs

(RTI Division)

Subject - Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

Please find enclosed herewith Central Information Com m issionrsquos decision NoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar o f New Delhi

2 It is requested that necessary action may please be initiated in accordance with para-13 o f the CIC decision

EnclAs above

JS (Eiirasia)

(AiC Nag) Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer22-08-2007

mdash o j^ VxkxraquoA

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(XaA

- e j

(e-US)

V mdash j ^ bull

S c

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gf if raquofn2(gt0Dy N o pound 3 amp RTI D1V200gt

Central Information Commission ilaquoWDlaquoted4i^USd|ampL~

sect $ I| | i yyNoCICOKA200600671

Dated 10 August 2007

Name of the Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar263 Kangra NiketanVikaspuri New Delhi - 110 018

Name of the Public Authority Ministry of External Affairs

Background

Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi filed an application with the PIO Ministry of

External Affairs on 2 August 2006 for seeking certified copies of the complete

correspondence the Ministry of External Affairs had with the Governments of

the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash

Chandra Bose

2 The PIO vide his letter dated 25 August 2006 informed the Appellant that

the request to the Government of USSR and the Russian Federation were made

through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels The PiO also stated that the

requisite copies of the correspondence could not be disclosed at it involves the

relations with a foreign State and so was exempt from disclosure as per the

provisions of Clause 8(1 )(a)amp(f) of the RTI Act

3 Dissatisfied with the reply of the PIO the Appellant filed an appeal with

the first Appellate Authority on 23 September 2006 who vide his letter dated 6

November 2006 again denied disclosure of the documents taking recourse to the

Section 8(1 )(a) and (i) The bench of Dr OP Kejariwal Information

mmissioner heard the matter on 23 March 2007

4 The main stand of the Respondents to the information sought by the

Appellant which is regarding the correspondence between India and the

Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia was that this

information could not be disclosed as it was likely to affect the countryrsquos

relationship with another State On making enquiries from the Respondents it

was clear that this correspondence had neither been seen nor been examined

by an expert to come to such a conclusion Therefore the Commission felt

that the Applicantrsquos application had been treated casually

5 The Commission then directed the Respondents to first have this

correspondence examined by their own experts and if need be by an outside

expert who they could rely on and then take a firm decision In case the

experts came to the conclusion that the applicability of the denial clause was

not relevant in the case the material could be disclosed to the Appellant

However in case the Respondents came to the conclusion that the relations

between the Governments of india and Russia would be affected through the

disclosure of this information the Commission would like the issue to be

settled only after a reference had been made to the Government of Russia

6 The matter was taken up for a second hearing by the bench of Dr OP

Kejariwal Information Commissioner on 10 August 2007

7 Shri AK Naag Joint Secretary (Inf amp Wei) amp CPIO and Shri Nand

Kishore Under Secretary (RTI) represented the Respondents

8 The Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar was present in person

Decision

9 The Commission heard both the sides During the hearing the

Respondents stated before the Commission that they had received a response

from the Government of the Russian Federation Moscow in pursuance of the

Commissionrsquos earlier Order in the matter dated 23 March 2007

10 This letter stated ldquoaccording to the correspondence received from the

Embassy of India Moscow the Russian Foreign Office has stated that the

documents handed over by them in June 2001 were meant only for the GOIrsquos

official use and for the work of the Commission in investigations into the

disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo

11 During the hearing the Appellant stated that his request included the

entire correspondence between the Governments of India and the USSR

regarding nf NPtajirsquos disappearance The Commission accepted this

request and directed the Respondents to clearly mention this while seeking the

approval of the Russian authorities for disclosure of this material

12 Also during the hearing the Appellant made a plea for a copy of the

letter received by the Ministry of External Affairs resulting from the application

that he had made on the issue The Commission saw no objection in this

request and directs the Respondents to supply a copy of this letter to the

Appellant

13 The Commission further feels that if the material could be made

available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the

disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be

disclosed now to any Researcher now that that Commissionrsquos work is over The

information Commission therefore is all for disclosure of this material to the

Appellant However it advises the Ministry of External Affairs to seek a formal------ ------ - _ ____________ ___

clearance from the Russian Authorities in the matter

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110018

Shri AK Nag Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) a Central Public Information Officer Room No 207 Akbar Bhawan Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110021

3 Shri Ajay Choudhary Additional Secretary amp Appellate Authority Room No 144 C South Block Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110011

4 Officer Incharge NSC

5 Press E Group CIC

(OP Kejariwal) Information Commissioner

Cc

The Statesman

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17 August 2007

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01

[ India ]-

Netaji filesrsquo disclosure ordered

New Delhi Aug 16 The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the external affairs ministry to disclose its correspondence with the erstwhile USSR over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra BoseldquoThe Commission feels that if the material could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be disclosed to any researcher nowrdquo information commissioner Mr OP Kejariwal saidThe Commission made this observation while hearing Mission Netajirsquos plea for certified copies of the complete correspondence between India and the USSR over Netajirsquos disappearance in 1945 The CIC in its decision relied on a letter from officials in Moscow that said the documents which were handed over to India were meant for ldquoofficial use and for the work o f the Mukherjee Commission n PTI

Discussion on this Ind ia itemDisclaimer These are Internet generated discussion threads for which the The Statesman has no responsibilityNo discussions on this item

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Keshubhai joins rebels

http wwwthestatesmannetpagenewsphpclid=2amptheme=ampusrsess=lampid=l 66383 8172007

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ap x H B H o ro areHTCTBa (P o c a p x H B ) p a 6 o T a b H HTajibH bix 3 a jia x

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nOCOJILCTBY PECnyEJIHKH HH RYM

r M o cK B a

r

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hiohh 2007 rona

raquo

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR and noting of FS(Pol) thereon

2 It seems the Russian Foreign Office does not want to add anything beyond what they have already pu t in the note verbale of Ju n e 22 2007 However if the said note verbale is read together with the bilateral Agreement of 2000 it becomes clear th a t there is no bar oft supplying confidential information to persons asking for the sam e According to Article 3b ot the Agreement decisions to hand over particular classified information shall be taken by the Parties on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the laws of their States

3 Moreover as a scrutiny of the correspondences between the SovietRussian and Indian sides shows they do not contain any sensitive information All the correspondences convey the result of the search in the Russian Archives Perhaps tha t is why JS(CNV) was inclined to suggest the disclosure of the correspondences

4 Given my positive view on the m atter for disclosure of the correspondences I would however like to propose tha t the Ministry may be sent a copy of the note verbale received from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to take into cognizance of the Agreement of 2000 before taking any final decision on the m atter If needed LampT Division in the Ministry may also be consulted

Subm itted please

(r

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

July 3 2007

No 42952DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation and in reference to the Note SA8907 dated 17th May 2007 has honour to inform the following -

The documents from Russian archives referred to in the Embassyrsquos note in particular handed over in June 2001 for official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set up by it for the investigation of circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

cm)

a

W e further inform that the access to materials belong to federal and state archives of the Russian Federation is given with the consent of Federal Agency of Achieves (Rosarchiv) and permission to work in reading halls of agency archives is given by authorities of archives belong to concerned agencies on direct requests by embassies scientific amp research institutions and social organizations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation assurances of its highest consideration

^ ft o j L (vLoo jP xjlJ~plt~ Moscow 22 June 2007

J ~ L 1 ^ mdash -J - ~ ^

c pound m LEmbassy of the Republic of India - - f c (jL-f-fox J LMoscow L J J ( )

o f I f f

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ra q

NoS -^ V JS (E R S )0 7

I

9 hTIclt o agtA

P ^ gt r^ yV lt gt V gilaquo )laquo A ^ t Ministry o f External AffairsSouth Block New D elh i-110 011 M ail jsers m eagovin

J L ^ 7 7 0 A A t u - Phone 23017411

PhFax 2 3 0 1 9 2 2

j 3 gt kC ) h ^ Alt 5 ^ ^ M-V r Vw

T his is w ith reference to m y le tter no 11 J S (E R S)2007 d a ted April 20 2007 regard ing a req u e s t m ade u n d e r ldquoRight to in form ationrdquo (copy enclosed for ready reference) It is req u ested th a t th e R u ssian s id e rsquos resp o n se m ay kindly be in tim ated^atjan early da te ^ ^

rajj-vMaaS

Y ours sincerely

(Dr J Bhagwati

X ^h ri D ivyabh M an ch an d a D eputy C hief of M ission E m bassy of Ind ia Moscow

Copy to

AS(PP) JS(CNV)

(Dr J Bhagwati)

No 11 JS (E R S ) 2 0 0 7

Deari

Please refer to AS (PP) an d Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 M arch 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence betw een the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra B osersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E u rasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm w ith the R ussian side w hether they would have any objection to release of correspondence received from them on th is subject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos response m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

S d -(Dr J Bhagwati)

Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) A^(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

S

20 April 2007h

( Dr J Bhagwati )

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tel 7837535 Fax 9752337

NoSA8907 17 May 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 2YuA dated 8 January 1992 and subsequent correspondence (viz No 73YuA dated 27 October 1995 N 547 dated 20 March 1997 19073DA dated 20 March 2003 and 59542DA dated 6 October 2004) including a letter from Ambassador Yu Kutov regarding information about the reported stay of a former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

An Indian citizen had filed a petition under the Right to Information Act 2005 for obtaining all informationdocuments relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The information obtained from the Russian side was denied to the appellant at that time

^Thereupon an appeal was filed by the concerned citizen and currently the V Government of India is considering whether the informationdocuments

-t obtained from Russian authorities on the subject could be released toappellant Views of the Russian side whether the information provided by

( them could be released to the appellant would be essential for the^ f Government of India to take decision on the matter

The esteemed Ministryrsquos views on the matter may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the

s of its highest consideration

f V Ministry of Foreign AffairsL o f the Russian Federation

cr - A sia Department) ^V ^^(V io sco w

A V

Ministry o f External Affairs South Block N ew D elh i-110 011 Mail jsers m eagovinMail jsers m ea Phone 23017411

i]r

Phone 23017411 PhFax 23011922

S e c r e t

No H JS (E R S )2007

Dear L b ]

Please refer to AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence between the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra Bosersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E urasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm with the R ussian side w hether they would have

amp any objection to release of correspondence received from them on thissubject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos re~sponse m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

^Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) AS(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

( Dr J B hagw ati)

V

V No^5AS(PP)2007

Right to Inform atioi Timt

Most Im

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)rsquos Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Inform ation Act 2 005

Shri Anuj Dhar had initially requested this Ministry last year requesting form information on the following two points-

1 Certified copies of complete correspondence the MEA has had with the Governments o f the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

2 Confirmation on whether the Ministry had sought information from the erstwhile Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation by merely issuing Notes Verbale or some serious efforts were ever made at a higher (say Ministerial) level to uncover the mystery surrounding the fate of Netaji

filed an appeal with the CIC The appeal was considered by the CIC on 23 March 2007 The CIC has directed that the Ministry should have the documents under reference carefully examined by a panel of experts to determine whether the information sought by the applicant can be given or not

While we have not received the final decision of the Commission this would a time-bound exercise and it is therefore requested that JS(CNV) may please make the records available to me for a preliminary examination so that expeditious action can be taken on receipt of the formal decision of the CIC

The information was denied to Shri Dhar by this Ministry whereupon he

(AjAdditional Secretary (PP) fit

Appellate Authority (RTI) 28 March 2007

JS(CNV)

Copy forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with the request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me as soon as possible

o f iHC-ifl no 3 20 HOO bull rsquobull bullP

vrrwr 5fn tnrvtEMBASSY OF IN D IA

6-0 Ulitsa Obukha M O S C O W

Tel No 237-0820

t t v

Septe mb er 16 1991

The Embassy of I nd ia presents its compli me nt s to the Mi nistry of For ei gn Aff ai rs of the USSR and has the ho nour to enclose her ew it h a c o ll ect io n opound documents or NetSji S ub ha sh C h an d ra B o s e at one time a President of the Ind-ior N at io na l C o n g r e s s and a leading fig are in ths Indian freedom movement received from H r _ Ch it ts S s s u M em b er of P ar l ia m en t and Gene ra l Secretary All r d i a Forward Bloc a group founded by Meta ji Subhas-i X h 3 n d r a Fgt = $ e ord at present a c o n s t it ue n t of tne Left Front G o v e r n shyment in the Indian state of West Bengal

2 In these d o c u me n ts there are su ggestions quotingthe then Soviet A m b a s s a d o r in Kabul and the Soviet Vice Consu l in T e h er an to the effect that Netaji Subhash Chandra

itighr have found his way to the Soviet Union after the alleged ae ro p la n e cr as h in August 1 9 A 5 As recently as March 5 I990 The H i n d u s t a n Time an Indian daili n e w s p a p e r quoted a scholar of the Soviet Institute if Or ie nt al S t ud ie s to the effect t h a t there are t c S o v i e t sc ho la rs who have applied to tne Covernen-c of the US Sr for pe rm is si on to e xa min e cla ss if ie d documents

3- In the light of the current policy on Soviet nationala r ch i ve s the Embassy of India would appreciate if an rate- rial that sheds light on the fate of Netaji Subhush Chandra Dose in the a rch iv es of S ov ie t or ga nisations including s ec u r i t y o r g a ni s at io ns is made available to the Embassy of India

A The Ere bossy of India n vails itself of this opportunityto renew to the M i n s t r y of Foreign Affairs of the USSH the a s s u r a n c e s of its highest c on si deration

Seal

M i n i t r y of Foreign Af fa ir s Covernment of USSRM o s c o bullgt

E rc 1 a s a b o v e

if nI

(rough translation)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation

No ZAuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that according to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no information whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow8 January 1992

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

trrlter r_ EM B A S S Y OF INDIA6-8 Ulitsa Voiomsovo Polyo

N o S A 8 3 9 5 July 27 19SS

The Embassy of India presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to correspondence resting with their Note Verbaie No 2YuA of S January 15S2 regarding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Enclosed is a booklet which contends that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may have come to the former Soviet Union in 1945 There has teen further speculation in this context reportedly on the basis of archival materials In view of this it would be highly appreciated if ail materials available on the subject couid be examined for a final determination on whether or not Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose entered or stayed anywhere in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 or subsequently

The Embassy of India avails itself of tnis opportunity to renew to tne Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration - bull -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (South Asia Department) Moscow

v

(Unofficial T ransl

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

73YuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central Archival Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents^of Modern History no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to

renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 1995

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1995 Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years W e have now been informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory otthe former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador Kotov forwarding the note categorically asserts th a t we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soilrdquo and that extensive research can hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovrsquos letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

2 I would like you to please bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

(Pripuran Singh Haer)

0 M0 5 F f l I I 0 bull rsquo 1 ~ 6 C

Pripuran Singh Haer Charge dAffaires

MOSPOL125190

r o h o11 bull i bull r o j o o r i

trn s laquoPi j a r m rrcsl p - igt llsquo7EM B A S S Y OF INDIA

6-8 U l iu a Votomsovo PolyM O S C O W

Tel No S i 7-CS20 Tolex 413409 INDEMSU

Tgts Fa bullbull-9 3

October 31 19S5

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1SSS Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years We have now bee informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1595 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is nc

s informatcn whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory cf the formeSoviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador

ji Kotov forwarcing the note categorically asserts that we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soil and that extensive research can

1 hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovsbullvu letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

v jf2 1 wouid iike you to piesse bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

kt (Pripuran Singh Haer)

Shri R L Narayan Joint Secretary (EE) Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi

diams i iL Mr Ror on Sen Arnba ssador of Ind ia to th e R u s s i a n F e d e r a t i o n

D e a r R o n e n

E n c lo sed Y o u will find o u r no te c o n c e rn in g S u b h a sh C h a n d ra

Bose D o bel ieve th a t we have t r ied o u r best to discover any relevant

I actsU n f o r tu n a te ly I a m p ro fo u n d ly d is t ressed being u n a b le to provide

t any posi t ive in f o r m a t i o n on th e subject o f no t th e least im p o r t a n c e for

the In d ia n public Alas by now it a p p e a r s that we can be su re tha t Netnj has neve r set foot o n th e R u ss ia n soil Extensive re sea rch car r ied out

u p o n th e latest r eq u es t o f Y o u r s can h a rd ly leave any d oub ts to lhgt

effect

S in ce re ly Y ours Y a K o t o v

w

r lt W 3 lt tfr s t pound 2 3 i

Intervention by H EM rAnatoly MDrukov Ambassador of Russia in India during the

eress-conference on the 210296 in le Foreign Correspondentsrsquo Club__________

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is

deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people

who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73Y uA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

inform ation on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

m uch em otion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

j i

gt J -

i

Directorate of Foreign Relatilt Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

March 20 1997

N 547

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to you and has the honour to forward herewith the letter of Mr L Joychandra Singh addressed a second time to the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

In reply to this repeated query the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence (CAMD) of the Russian Federation has pointed out that there is no other data relating to the fate of Subhash Chandra Bose besides the information conveyed to you vide letter No1843 dated October 28 1996 (enclosing No222672 of the CAMD)

We request you to kindly inform Mr L Joychandra Singh of the above reply from the Archives

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Military Wing of the Embassy of India in Moscow the assurances of its highest consideration

Military Attache in the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation

Brig D Singh

No 19073DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federations presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassyrsquos note verbale No SA 1003 dated 8 January 2003 and the Ministryrsquos note verbale No 1423DA dated 28 June 2001 has the honour to inform you about the following

A search was conducted for documents related to the fate ofSCBose in the following federal archives

Russian State Military Archive (RGVA) Russian State Archives of Socio-Political History (RGASPI) State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) and Russian State Historical Archives of the Far East (RGIA DV) The information requested for was not found in the GARF RGVA and RGIA DV archives

Copies of the documents found in the RGIA DV Archives were sent to the Embassy in 2001

No information has been found about the fate of SC Bose in the Central Archives of the Russian FSB the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in the m anuscript section of the Russian State Library or in the Russian State Archives of Photographic Documents (RGAKFD)

We would also like to inform th a t the personnel archives of Eva Yakovlevna Lyusternik were sent after her death to the Russian Academy of Sciencesrsquo Institute of Oriental Studies and the open part of the archival m aterial on IV Stalin was sent from the archives of the President of the Russian Federation to RGASPI

The Ministry would like to use th is opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

M inistry of Foreign AtlairsR u ssian F ed eratio n

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Moscow 20th March 2003

^ M la iet ja Affaireo f the deration

No S 9 5 4 2 A A

The M inistry of Foreign Affairs of th e R ussian Federation p resen ts its com plim ents to the Em bassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and in continuation of Note No 55382XA dated Septem ber 14 2004 h as the honour to intorm th a t Information sought on the fate of Ind iarsquos p rom inent political figure Netaji S u b h ash C hand ra Bose was no t found in the C entral Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia

The M inistry avails of th is opportun ity to renew to the Em bassy the a ssu ra n ce s of its highest consideration

M oscow October 6 2004

E m bassy o f th e Republic o f India M oscow -

Ministry o f External Affairs CNV Division

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Information Act

Reference note at FR from AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) regarding CICrsquos directives on appeal by Shri Anuj Dhar who was denied information requested concerning disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his whereabouts in the former USSRRussia i f any

2 Vide letter o f 020806 at FA Shri Dhar had requested for (a) certified copies o f complete correspondence between MEA and the Government o f USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referring to Our Embassyrsquos intervention with the Russian MFA in 199219951997 2001 and 2003 and (b) whether MEA sought information from the Russian side in a routine manner through issue o f Note Verbales or some serious efforts were made at a higher level

3 Vide issue o f 250806 at FB CPIO on the basis o f inputs from CNV Division replied to Shri Dhar conveying that (a) requests to the Governments o f the USSRRussia were made through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels and (b) requisite copies o f the correspondence sought cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under provisions of Clause 8(l)(a)amp (f) o f the RTI Act Under Clause8(1)(a) there is noobligation to give any citizen information disclosure o f which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity o f India the security strategic scientific or economic interests o f the State relation with foreign State or lead to incitement o f an offence Under Clause 8(l)(f) there is no obligation to give ldquoinformation received in confidence from foreign governmentrdquo

4 Shri Dhar vide his letter o f 230906 at FC had appealed to then Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) on the ground that the reasons given by the CPIO denying him the information aslced for are untenable With regard to the intervention with the USSRRussian Government for information on Netajirsquos disappearance Shri Dhar seeks to know if this matter was pursued at a higher (say Ministerial) level Regarding Ministryrsquos resort to Clause 8(l)(a) Shri Dhar wrote that this is not intelligible to him as to how correspondence dealing with the disappearance o f a national hero can be threat to India or its relations with USSR which does not exist and has been disowned by the successor state o f the Russian Federation He has also questioned as to why information received in this matter o f national importance should be confidential In response to the appeal C lW Division has conveyed to JS (Inf) and CPIO vide its note dated 011106 at FD that (a) the information sought for by Shri Dhar ie whether serious efforts were made with interventions at higher levels with the Russian Government to seek information on Netajirsquos disappearance does not constitute ldquoinformationrdquo as defined in the RTI Act and the question is anecdotal in nature and (b) that copies o f correspondence cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under the relevant clauses in the RTI Act Though there is no evidence on this NGO file it is our understanding that these views were conveyed by the Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) to Shri Dhar Presumably what was meant was that Shri Dhar was seeking the opinion o f the MEA as to whether the efforts made by GOl in its interventions with the Russian Government were serious or just routinely taken up Since such lsquoopinionrsquo is not covered under Clause 1(0 hence it cannot be construed as lsquoinformationrsquo

6 The undersigned has gone through all available records in NGO Section pertaining to correspondence with the USSRRussian Governments seeking information on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose In particular attention is drawn to a note recorded in December 1998 at FE on linked file giving the chronological background to suchcorrespondence starting from May 1990 in the Note for Supplementaries prepared for Rajya Sabha Starred Question No 174 for answer on 101298 dealing with the Asiatic Societyrsquos request for access to Russian archives It may also be seen from the attached

A

Anticipated Questions and their Answersrsquo that Ministry was willing to disclose the contents o f the Note Verbale received from the Russian Government in response to IUdiaji demarches regarding information on Netaji on the floor o f the House There is no i available on NGO files to indicate if such information was in fact disclosed on the flooi o f the House when the PQ was answered However the point to note is Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose such information As per the last line under Clause 8 o f RTI Act ldquoinformation which cannot be denied to the Parliament or the State legislature shall not be denied to any personrdquo Therefore if such information has already been disclosed on the floor o f the House or even by virtue o f Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose we may no deny such information requested by Shri Anuj Dhar

7 Chronologically the correspondence copies available on file and linked files and sought by Shri Dhar are listed as under

(a) NV No Nil dated 160991 from EI Moscow to MFA USSR Government at FF on linked file

(b) NV No 2YuA dated 080192 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at -FGv -- bullbullbulllaquo mdash bullbull

(c) NV No SA8395 dated 270795 from EI M oscow to MFA Russian Government at FH on linked file

(d) NV No 73YuA dated 271095 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at FI

(e) DO letter from CDA EI Moscow enclosing Amb Kotovrsquos letter to Amb Ronen Sen at FJ on linked file

(f) Record o f intervention by Russian Ambassador to India at a press IK lrsquo ltonffirericebnrsquo2i0296 at FK on linked file

(g) NV No N547 dated 200397 from Russian Defence Ministry to EI Moscow at FL

(h) NV No 19073DA dated 200303 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow aft FM and

(k) NV No 59542DA dated 061004 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow 4 FN

8 A perusaldf the available correspondence shows the continuous effort made by the Ministry through the Embassy in Moscow to obtain information available i f any on Netajirsquos whereabouts in Russia It also shows that such effort was made at very high levels even through correspondence between the Indian Ambassador to Russia and his Russian counterpart One such correspondence is even addressed to a private Indian citizen in Manipur and the same has been passed on to him by our Embassy in Moscow There is no evidence to suggest that such correspondence was received in confidence an not to be disclosed However it would be beyond the competence o f CNV Division to make such a judgment merely on perusal ofthe filesrecords available in NGO SectionAS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) may like to consult Eurasia Division and Embassy o f India Moscow on whether disclosure o f such information under RTI woulc be detrimental to bilateral relations

J)(Debnath ShaiO

X At Wi bull JS (CNV)09 April 20f)7

AS fPP) amp Aeffellate Authority TRTI)

fet L 0 k f t t U a k k f c v J y -TI 4 i t i

cn v w et oA 2 4 JhV oW ei w ttC a

i CIC c h t tfcVe (jEuTA4-IAJ jrteaitcrj At-jKCdh-al tjyin cm Mm+cpL

I M i i ) J L j i t

j J 7

i

-r-

31

FAXTo AS(PP)

MEA New Delhi Fax 91-11-23013387

From First Secretary (Pol) Indembassy Moscow

Rpti) DS[Russia] MEA

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tele 007-495-9163544 Fax 007- 495-9163632

With reference to DS[Russia]rsquos message regarding AS[PP]rsquos note to JS[CNV] No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 9 April 2007 on an appeal filed under No RTI act 2005

2 Please find faxed herewith currently available few copies of this Missionrsquos correspondence with local authorities on the subject We will send more m aterial if available by the earliest diplomatic bag

U ) U v tcrv-4 j

(Dr Suresh Babu) FS [Pol]

13042007

A

- P O C C H H C K A fl A K M E M H H HAYK ^

H H C T H T Y T B O C T O K O B E ^ E H H J I

___________ JV2 ____________________

H a JVs_____________________________ T To 1Justice Mukherji

Commission o f Inquiry M irza Ghalib Street

Kolkata

Dear Sir

This is to inform you that as per your request we have checked the Private

Archive o f Prof EYaLustemic in the Indian Center o f the Institute of Oriental

Studies Russian Academy o f Sciences Moscow

We regret to inform you that there is no document on Subash Chandra Bose

With sincere regards

(Shaumian TLHead the Indian Center o f the Institute o f Oriental Studies

Russian Academy o f SciencesM oscow)

26092005

l0303l(Plttgt CHO 103753 (MeacflyHapoflHbiH) MocKBa T C n yji PoxcnecTBeHKa12 Ten (095)921-1884 (095)925-6461 Oaicc (095)975-2396 E-mail ivran orcru

In contrast to Indian National Congress Bose and his activists basically counted on armed struggle and open cooperation against enemies of England - Germany Italy and Japan Bose dreamed about freedom for India through crushing defeat of Britain Bose could not do it himself so he linked activity of his troops and groups with assault of Germany on India from the West and Japan from the East The aim of Bose was to expedite the assault in all possible ways and reinforce it from inside by subversive Anti-English activity in India and if possible to attached nature o f mass anti-British revolt However at that time not all people considered his activity as ldquosubversiverdquo Fascism was not so popular in India at that time but racism and violence were condemned everywhere A lot of Indians were satisfied with telling blows delivered hateful center o f empire by axis countries in particular against the background of British demonstrative nonshyrecognition of Indian rights for self-determination J Nehru wrote about this period How can we conciliate two basic directions of our policy - opposition to British imperialism and opposition to fascism and nazism How can we adjust our nationalism with our internationalism That was a difficult question for us taking in view current situation However this question would not be difficult if the British Government take a step to show us its refusal from imperialistic policy in India and rely on peoplersquos good willrdquo

But it did not happen Indian public reacted accordingly Describing the psychological atmosphere in the country that time Jawaharlal Nehru wrote ldquoPeople were pushing out not by patriotic feelings but by their willingness to save themselves from an offense and the worstrdquo

So S Bose did not have any mass support but he could use the mood of majority for his own purposes Nehru wrote about it the following ldquoProtection of the imperialism which we were fighting with for such a long time seemed to be non-sense and impossible to usrdquo

Unofficial translation

ldquoMatsottardquo is obtaining Soviet visa

Instructions were really complicated It was necessary to send Subhas Chandra Bose to Germany He was wanted by Britain secret service colonial Administration and local police throughout India Bose was staunch and irreconcilable adversary of Great Britain and may be the most dangerous one at that time

Extracts of the book whiten by Yuri L Kuznets ldquoMarauders are quitting the gamerdquo

Published in 1992 by ldquoInterprakstrdquo Moscow

Of course Bose made his main counting on the military defeat of England at the time when Hitlerrsquos Germany had been already at the war with it and Japan was still neutral So Bose was interested in Berlin When Japan occupied Burma and came close to the Indiarsquos borders Bose reoriented to the Far East

In spring 1941 his ways crossed with Bhagat Ram Bose decided to shift from India to Berlin because some of his friends and relatives were arrested in India and he by himself also was wanted He needed Hitlerrsquos support including financial one Ports we under police control and departure trough one of them was very risky Bose took another way and in February came to Kabul He was accompanied by Bhagat Ram who was not a member o f Bosersquos organization he did not like axis-members but he was posted as Bosersquos escort by his party ldquoKirti Kissanrdquo because o f his knowledge of Phushtun zone which they had to cross as well as Afghanistan and Kabul He also had his own flat in Kabul - the premises which belonged to Ultam Chang and his shop It was supposed that Ram was doing a favour to Bose only due to their common aim - to weak British positions in India at most

Ram fulfilled his task Bose settled down in Kabul and started to make arrangements for the next step of his journey During war time he could come to Germany only through the territory o f USSR For this purpose he required a passport which he did not have German Embassy applied to the Italian one Italians considered the German request positively Bose got passport in respect of Italian citizen Mazzotta Holding this passport Bose applied to the Soviet Embassy for transit visa crossed the USSR territory and came to Berlin

Mazzotta disappeared But German Consulate General drew attention to Bhagat Ram who was introduced as a powerful Indian activist in Afghanistan and India with anti-British orientation It was o f interest and he was suggested to work for the German Secret Service German resident was satisfied with Ramrsquos past his contacts and mood especially because he was concerned about difficulties o f the anti-British activities in India shortage of agents and information as well as conspiratorial bases in India Bosersquos recommendation also helped Ram was thinking it would be important for me and my party to establish contacts with enemies of their enemies

Offer on co-operation was accepted Ram left German Consulate having 100 000 Indian Rupees in his pocket 12 guns and ballets Money and arms were required by the people whom Ram would be recruiting in India Since May 1941 after the German finished their checking Ram had become the main agent o f the German Secret Service in India

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337 Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 9 4 0 5 September 9 2005

The Em bassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Em bassyrsquos earlier Note Verbales on the visit of a delegation of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 20-30 2005 in connection with enquiring into the facts and circum stances relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

It is confirmed th a t all logistical arrangem ents for official JMCI delegation and the accompanying eight deponents would be facilitated by the Embassy with no financial implications to the Russian side

It would be appreciated if the decision of the esteemed Ministry on visas for the visiting team may kindly be expedited

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

Copy to Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

No 5830 2DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Notes No SA16605 of 08 August No SA17405 of 18 August and No SA17905 and No SA18005 of 26 August this year has the honour to inform as follows

Justice Mukherjee as a Head of the Delegation set up by the Government of India to inquire about life of Subhas Chandra Bose pertaining to the period from 1945 onwards as well as the accompanying delegation will be given access to the documents kept in the Reading Halls o f the Federal and State Archives of the Subjects o f the Russian Federation in Moscow St Petersburg Irkutsk and Omsk through the Federal Archives Agency of the Russian Federation All expenditures related to the arrangements for their visit air-passage accommodation transport and medical insurance etc should be borne by the Indian side The Federal Archive Agency requests to inform Mr MK Mukherjee of the addresses of Federal Archives given below

1 Russian State Archive for social and political history - 103 821 Moscow 15 B Dmitrovka Str Director - Kiril M Anderson Tel 229 97 26

2 Russian State Archive of Audio- Photo Documents - 143 400 Moscow Region Krasnogorsk 1 Rechnaya Str Director - Lyudmila P Zapryagaeva Tel 562 14 64 563 08 45

3 Russian State Archive for Phono Documents 105 005 Moscow3 2ya Baumanskaya Str Director - Vladimir A Kolyada Tel 261 13 00

4 Russian State Naval Archive - 191 186 St Perersburg 36 Millionnaya Str Director - Vladimir S Sobolev Tel (812)312 11 37

The Federal Archives Agency recommends the following for work with the documents o f

- Central State Archive of St Petersburg - to apply to St Petersburg Archives Committee (193 015 St Petersburg 39 Tavricheskaya Str) Chairman of the Committee - Mr Anatoly D Yashkov Tel (812) 271 44 55)

- State Archive of Omsk Region - to apply to the Archive Department of the Ministry for State and Legal Development o f Omsk Region Head - Ms Galina Yu Borodina (644 099 Omsk 1 Tretyakova Str) Tel (381-2) 25 57 26

- State Archive of Irkutsk Region - to apply to Archive Department of Irkutsk Region Head - Ms Nadezhda K Shestakova (664003 Irkutsk 36a Gorkogo Str) Tel (395-2) 24 06 42

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow ldquo 15 ldquo September 2005

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA Moscow

slvNon-paper

Ha npoTaaceHHH npozjojDKHTeribHoro n e p n o f la BpeMeHH HHflHHCKaji cT opoH a-4ampI

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HCHe3HOBeHM nojiHTHHecKoro Hh^hh CySxauia HaHflpbi Boca

PoccHHCKan CTopoHa HeoflHOKpaTHO no^TBepMCflaJia CBoe corjiacne Ha t o

h t o S h npeflCTaBHTejm k o m h c c h h MKMyKepzpKH m o tjih 03HaK0MHTca c

AOKyMeHTaMH HaxoamHMHCfl b o tk p b i to m flociyne ltJ)ezjepajibHbix apxHBOB h

rocy^apcTBeHHBix apxHBOB cy6beKTOB P o c c h h c k o h Oe^epanHH a raiOKe b

HHCTHTyTe B ocTO K O B e^eH M P o c c h h c k o h axafleMHH HayK (cm HOTy MM]

P o c c h h Ndeg 2 5 5 7 2 amp A o t 1 8 0 7 2 0 0 5 r )

Y^OBJieTBOpHTb n p o c b 6y h h h h c k o h c to p o h b i o f lo c r y n e k 3aKpbmgtiM

apxHBaM He npe^CTaBJiaeTCH B03M05KHHM B c o o t b c t c t b h h c 3aKOHOflaTejibCTBOM

P o c c h h c k o h O e jep a n H H (3aKOH 06 apxHBHOM fle jie o t 2 0 0 4 r ) p a 6oTa c

HepacceKpeHeHHbiM H jjoKyMeHTaMH pa3pemeHa j i h h i l c i p o r o o n p e^ e jieH H o n

K aTeropH H jihh 6e3 b c h k h x HCKjiioneHHH 3 t o K acaeT ca He to j ib k o

npe^cT aB H T eneH f lp y r a x ro c y n a p c T B h o h rp aac^ aH P o c c h h c k o h O e ^ e p a ip iH

H c x o ^ h H3 flpyacecTBeHHoro xapaKTepa p o c c h h c k o - h h a h h c k h x OTHOineHHH

H npHHHMafl BO BHHMaHHe 3HaHHMOCTb 3TOH TeMBI RJIX HHflHHCKOH CTOpOHbl

poccHftcKHe KOMneTeHTHBie opraHbi npoBenH H C H epnbm aiom H e H3bicKaHHfl

apxHBHBix M aTepH anoB 3a nepH O ^ c 4 0 -x qo cep e^ H H b i 5 0 - x i t b pe3yjibT aT e

KOTOpbix 6bm BbWBJieH p a fl AOKyMeHTOB b KOTopbix ynoMHHajiocb h m s C H E o ca

Bee o h h b KonHH nepe^aHbi h h ^ h h c k o h CTopoHe (b H a crao c T H HaHjeHHbiH b

2004 r b apxHBax OCE 46-th CTpaHHHHbiH OKyMeHT)

B 3aK pbiTbix apxH BH bix (J)OHflax HaxoA5imHxcfl Ha TeppHTOpHH P o cchh ck o h

O e^epaHH H KaKHX-jinSo CBe^eHHH 0 CHEoce He o6HapygtKeHo

9

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow___ Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337

Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 8 0 0 5 August 26 2005

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Embassyrsquos earlier communications regarding the visit of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 18-30 2005

By way of background information given below are the relevant details of JMCI -

(i) The Government o f India Ministry o f Home Affairs New Delhi vide a gazette notification No S 0339(B) dated 14th May 1999 appointed Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry for Inquiry into the Alleged Disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under Section (3) o f the Commission o f Inquiry Act o f 1952 (60 o f 1952)

(ii) As per this notification Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry shall inquire into all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945 and subsequent developments connected therewith including-(a) whether Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is dead or alive(b) I f he is dead whether he died in the plane crash as alleged(c) Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are the ashes o f Netaji(d) Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and if

so when and how(e) I f he is alive in respect o f his whereabouts

(iii) The Commission shall also examine the manner in which the exercise o f Scrutiny o f Publications touching upon the question o f death or otherwise on Netaji can be undertaken by the Central Government in the circumstances

(iv) Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry is funded by the Ministry o f Home Affairs Government o f India and is an official Commission

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

Copy to M inistry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV t J 001

A MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS (PP) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of material immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

Deputy Secretary (Russia) Ph 23015199 Intercom 2285

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

Dr T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

T c J i h irvMUt(SOMNATH GHOSH)

Deputy Secretary Ministry of External Affairs

New Deifci

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 1^1002

( t

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No R T I-2 pound _ A S (P P )2 0 0 7

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance_of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anufpfiar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) 6t

Appellate Authority (RTI) 09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

g^py forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - H W U(Ajal Choudhfy)

1 o 7

0 v

j N lsquoaA gt ^ 1 ^

04 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV

MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS-iEP-) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of matenal immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

D tpu ij u su ta i J iu J o ia JPh 23015199 Intercom 228S

D r T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

h i 7-

_100pound 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 002

Most Immediate

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No RTI-HiLAS(PP) 2007

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed bv Shri Anul Dhar under RTI 200S - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anurbhar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC ------ = = = = mdash

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) amp

Appellate Authority (RTI)09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

JZopy forwarded to JS(Eurasla) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - t t U X f (Ajal ChoudMfy)

k

Buff 43402

Square C u t Raider A4 434Made in London

Blue 43403 Green 43404 Grey 43405 Orange 43406 Pink 43407 Red 43408 Yellow 43409 Mauve 43414

Page 9: V ' . . . Disci* wi/K 0*s*/ - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ...

copyEmbassy of India

Moscow

Deputy Secretary(Eurasia) has requested this Missionrsquos input on Part 2 of the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP seeking information under RTI Act 2005 whether Netaji Subash Chandra Bose is still alive in Okotoks Jail in Siberia and if notldquosought the information about the prisoner who has been lodged in Okotoks Jailrdquo

2 As per records available in the Mission Russian Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 informed that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose having stayed on the territory o f the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years

3 Copies o f following relevant correspondence received from Russian side are placed below -

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Ambassador YuKotov to Ambassador Ronen Sen (with enclosure)

4 DFA is placed below for approval pi

SS(Pol)892014

Counselfor(Pol)

I

E-MailFax

No MOSPOL125190 September 9 2014

From Indem bassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) from SS(Pol)

Please refer to your mail dated Sept 3 2014 seeking inputs on Part 2 o f the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose

2 Copies o f the follow ing relevant correspondence received from Russian side are attached-

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Amb Kotov to Amb Ronen Sen

3 It may be seen from the above papers that there is no r ^

particular ja il m entioned in the applicantrsquos query Henee - it would b e -pppmpriatR_to_rep ly -to -tho applicant that- nomdashstteh-- informationmdashismdash-available with -asv

a v a i l a b l e mdash ^ - ^ t h e stay o f Netaji Subash Chandra

W ith Regards

(Gopal Ram) Second Secretary (Pol)

C o u n s e llo r (P o litic a l)

Pag o f 1

I f I

From d irers ltd ire rs m eagovingtltm inpo l ind ianem bassyrugt

~ent W ednesday S ep tem ber 03 2014 1113 AM Attach IM G pdf Subject S P A M ldquo RTI MOST IMMEDIATE

For Counsellor (Pol)

Enclosed please find an RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate seeking information on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

It is requested that Missions inputs on Part 2 of the question raised in the RTI application may be sent to us at an early date

Regards

Pankaj Saxena Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) Ministry of External Affairs RoomNo235G South Block New Delhi-110 011 Tel 2301 4600

ltK

4 ^ A ^ c A U - f o -

f j - W j2 v

bull

932014

A l fr

p o litic a l d ip lo m a tic s o lu tio n H o w e v e r w e re fo c u s e d m ilita r i ly o n s t re n g th e n in g d e fe n s e o f o u r a llie s T h a t s o u r c o re ta s k R a s m u s s e n s a id b e fo re a m e e tin g w ith E U d e fe n s e m in is te rs

W e re r ig h t n o w c o n s id e r in g fu r th e r s te p s to s tre n g th e n o u r c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e A s I in d ic a te d th a t a ls o in c lu d e s w h a t I w o u ld ca ll a p p ro p r ia te d e p lo y m e n ts h e a d d e d c o m m e n tin g on th e c u rre n t a g e n d a

B u t its a b it to o e a r ly to g o in to d e ta ils a s to h o w w e w ill in c o n c re te te rm s s tre n g th e n c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e B u t no o n e s h o u ld d o u b t o u r d e te rm in a t io n to e n s u re in te n s iv e d e fe n s e a n d p ro te c tio n o f a ll a ll ie s R a s m u s s e n s ta te d w ith n o fu r th e r d e ta ils o n th e a ll ia n c e s p ro s p e c t iv e s tra te g y

S p e a k in g a t p r io r m e e tin g s th e S e c re ta ry -G e n e ra l a ls o v o ic e d c o n c e rn s a b o u t c la s h e s in e a s te rn U k ra in e b e tw e e n p ro - fe d e ra liz a t io n p ro te s te rs a n d fo rc e s lo y a l to th e g o v e rn m e n t c a llin g on R u s s ia to d e -e s c a la te th e c r is is a n d pu ll b a c k its la rg e n u m b e r o f tro o p s in c lu d in g s p e c ia l fo rc e s fro m th e a re a a ro u n d U k ra in e s b o rd e r w h ile w a rn in g th a t a n y fu r th e r R u s s ia n m ilita ry in te r fe re n c e w o u ld o n ly d e e p e n R u s s ia s in te rn a t io n a l is o la t io n

R u s s ia n F o re ig n M in is te r S e rg e i L a v ro v re je c te d W e s te rn a c c u s a t io n s th a t R u s s ia w a s b e h in d th e c r is is in s o u th e a s te rn U k ra in e s a y in g n e ith e r R u s s ia n s e c u r ity a g e n ts n o r s o ld ie rs h a v e b e e n d e p lo y e d to th e re g io n

T h e M in is try s a id th a t N A T O is a tte m p tin g to u s e th e U k ra in ia n c r is is a s an im a g in a ry th re a t to u n ite th e a ll ia n c e s m e m b e rs p u s h in g fo r R u s s ia s is o la t io n

Updated headline quote in paras 2 3

fA

Rusele fljo r Se (tgte

Russ

C rit

Russia T Ballistic Mi

Advance Interceploi Western R

EU Aggr Ukrainian 1 Legitimizir Change - Politician

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M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Tel 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u s rs m e a g o v in

WI (AD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u F S (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P lease find a ttached a self-exp lanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f Subhash C hand ra Bose u n d er the R T I Act for kind necessary action a t your end

ahul S hrivastava) U n d er S ecre tary 7 Janu ary 2 0 0 8

No RTI5517606Ministry of External Affairs

( RTI Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquos note WI (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content of the note was conveyed to the Information Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government of

j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russian 1 Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the National

Achieve o f India

We have received a communication to this effect from the CIC which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(AK Nag) JS (Wei amp Inf) amp CPIO

December 18 2007

In fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r

gt O P KEJARIWAL fe laquoft-110067 B lo ck-IV 5 th F lo o r O ld JN U C a m p u s

N e w D e lh i-1 1 0 0 6 7 T ele fax 26717351

C entra In fo rm a t io n C o m m is s io n

November 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T I5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian Governm ent for disclosure of the N eta ji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar We have now received a le tte r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N eta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portan t from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere ind iv idualrsquos in terest He suggests and reuests therefore that this m ateria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India from abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m a tte r t h erefore is pursued w ith the I Russian G overnm ent so th a t w hatever m ateriah s o f va lue a nd in te rest to India m ay com e to us especially in the present case

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) Ministry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

Yours sincerely

(OP Kejariw al)

To 26 November 2007

Dr OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner Central Information Commission Old JNU Campus New Delhi - 110067

Subject R eq u est to Ind ian Errbassy to procure p ost-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian arch ives

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter NoR TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2007 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision N oC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made v this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the

Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Embassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

i

2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing ruies or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at times provide information A request from the Embassy of India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

^ would not yvant this exercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant records are identified the Embassy may procure them for the National Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India

since they are likely to provide a never befc 3 insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world w a r for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n L ____2 63 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mayzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez iden ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)[A rch ive o f the P res id en t o f the R uss ian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lsk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606-13-33 Fax (495 ) 606 -19 -66

2 Is to riko-dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del R F (ID D M ID) [H is torico-D ocum enta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in is try o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o lenska ia -S enna ia p loshchad 3234 Tel (495) 244-32-19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i po litik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (A V P RF)[A rch ive o f Fore ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241-04-80

4 Tsen tra lrsquonyi a rkh iv M in is te rs tva o bo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f D e fense]142100 M oskovskaia ob las t P odo lrsquosk ul K irova 74 Tel (495) 715-90-05 (0967) 54-00-03

5 G lavno je R azvedyva te lno je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilitary In te lligence D irecto ra te arch ives Address not know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 TsentraPnyi a rkh iv Federa lno i s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (TsA FSB R ossjj)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F edera l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzhby vneshne i razvedki RF (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)[O perational A rch ive o f the Fore ign In te lligence S erv ice ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 5110Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 245 -33 -68 Fax (495) 247-05-29

8 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (TsA M VD R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In te rna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovocherem ushk inska ia 67 (Archive) ul Zoi i A leksa nd ra K osm odem iansk ikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-90

2

o o ^ y - q ^ - s z n ^ h

A deg U lt 6 S (3 2 -

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bull - - - bull bull

i - r

-0

F a x M e s s a g e P n o m

7 Jan 2008 1626

NameFax Number

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C

L i

DIRlt ERS)MEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1626 P0105

M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Te l 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u srs m eag o v in

WI(AJD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u FS (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P le as e find a ttached a self-explanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f S ubhash C hand ra Bose under the RT Act for kind necessary action a t your end

lahul S h rivastava) U n d e rs e c re ta ry 7 J a n u a ry 2 0 0 8

DIR(ERS gtMEflRNQ235C 7 Jan 2008 16=26 P020b

No RTI5517606 Ministry of External Affairs

( RTX Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquo s note W I (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser o f complete correspondence

with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash | Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content o f the note was conveyed to the Information j Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant bull The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government o f j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russiani Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the Nationali bull

W e have received a communication to this effect from the CIC

i s J

Achieve o f India

which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(A K Nag) JS (W ei amp Inf) amp CPIO1

December 18 2007

DIR( ERS gtMEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1627 P 0305

gt O P KEJARIWALSTTJprf

-MiX TR 4 58 cfcr TPTT

fcc=6ft11 0 0 6 7 Biock-lV 5th Floor Oki JNU Campus

I n fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r New Delhi-110067 Telefax 26717351

Centra Information Commission

Novem ber 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T 5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian G overnm ent fo r disclosure of the N etaji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar W e have now received a le t te r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N e ta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portant from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere individuals in terest He suggests and reuests th ere fo re that this m a te ria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India f rom abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m atte r therefore is pursued w ith the Russian Governm ent so th a t w hatever m ateria l is of va lue and interest to India may come toTis especially in the present case

Yours sincerely

(O P Kejariw al)

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) M inistry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C 7 Jan 2008 16 = 2 P 0405

02 6 N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 7

Dr OP Kejariwal information Com missioner Central Information Commission

+ Old JNU Campus N ew Delhi - 110067

Subject R e q u e s t to Ind ian Em bassy to procure post-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian a rc h ive s

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter N o R TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2 0 07 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTi Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision NoC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

lt think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Em bassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

4 2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing rules or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at tim es provide information A request from the Embassy o f India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

I would not w ant this e xercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant fcS ords s re identified the Em bassym ay procure them fo rtheN atTonal Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India since they are likely to provide a never befc s insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

1

DIR ( ERS) ME ARN0235C7 Jan 2008 16=27

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world war for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n t 2 6 3 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mazzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez idsn ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)Archive o f th e P re s id e n t o f the R ussian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lrsquosk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606 -13 -33 Fax (495) 606-19-66

2 Is to riko -dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del RF (ID D M ID) [H is to rico -D ocum en ta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in istry o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o ie nska ia -S en n a ia p loshchad rsquo 3234 Tel (495) 244 -32 -19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i p o lit ik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (AVP RF)[A rch ive o f Fo re ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241 -04 -80

4 Tsen tra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva obo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f th e M in is try o f D e fense] - bull -142100 M oskovska ia o b la s t P odo lsk ul K irova74 Tel (495 )715-90-05 (0 9 6 7 )5 4 -0 0 -0 3

5 G lavno je R a zve dyva te ln o je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilita ry In te lligence D irectora te a rch ives A ddress no t know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv FederaPnoi s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (T sA FS B R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F e de ra l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzh by vneshne i razvedki R F (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)(O perational A rch ive o f the F o re ign In te lligence Service ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 51 10Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 2 4 5 -33 -6 8 Fax (495) 247-05-29

Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (T sA M VD R ossii)[Central A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In terna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovoche rem ushk inska la 67 (Archive) ul Z o i i A le ksa n d ra K osm odem ianskikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-30

ffs

amp-3gt) i c y v

Embassy of India Moscow(Political Wing) f t

r r v ^Subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with USSRRussia over the

disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 reg

Reference remarks made by the Ambassador on FR a letter from JS (Wei ampInf) addressed to Shri OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner copy endorsed to Min (Pol) on the above subject

Back ground of the case On receipt o f a copy o f AS (PP )rsquo s Note No RTI- 36AS(PP)07 dated 942007 on the above subject Mission vide fax dated 130407 forwarded few copies o f Missionrsquos correspondence with the local authorities on the subject to AS(PP) -------- At F A

Subsequently on receipt o f JS(ERS)rsquo s letter No 1 lJS(ERS)2007 dated 20407 enclosed with A S (PP )rsquo s Note No 30AS(PP)07 amp JS(CNV)rsquo s Note along with copies o f correspondence available in CNV Division on the subject Mission has sent a Note Verbale No SA8907 dated 1752007 to Russian Foreign Ministry requesting for the views o f the Russian side whether the information provided by them could be released to the appellant -------At FB

Documents provided by Russian side and forwarded to the Commission

(i) Documents initially provided by the Russian side attached with Note Verbale No1423 DA dated 28h June 2001 which was forwarded to the Ministry on August

31 2001 may please be seen a t-----FC in the linked file

(ii ) On the basis of an affidavit submitted to the Justice Mukherjee Commission a Note Verbale No SA25904 dated December 22 2004 was sent to the M FA and reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 13142 DA dated 4 March 2005 enclosed with a copy of letter from Mr V Sayadyants to the Soviet Ambassador to Iran Mr IV Sadchikov regarding the political situation in India in 1946 may please be seen a t--------FD in the linked file

Response of the Russian side

( i) A reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 42952 DA dated 2262007 stating therein that ldquo the documents from Russian Archives handed over in June 2001 were for official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up by it for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo This was conveyed to the Ministry vide letter No MOSPOL125190 dated 472007 --------At FE

P2

2

Again on receipt o f a copy o f the decision o f Central Information Commission vide No RTI5517606 dated 22082007 (At FF) Mission took up the matter with M FA vide Note Verbale No SA17307 dated 1892007 for which a reply was received vide No 42952DA dated 11007 reiterating their view that the documents from RussianArchives were submitted exclusively for official use by the GOI including Thiswas conveyed to the Ministry vide E-gram dated 10102007-----At FG

Submitted as desired by Min (Pol) please

2

f^TT FTRTTM IN ISTR Y O F E X TE R N A L A F FA IR S

NEW D ELH I

Dated 2nd November 2007 I gt gt v

gt ldquo $

NoRTI551762006

Shri OP KejariwalInformation Commissioner Central Information Commission Club Building Old JNU Campus New Delhi-110 067 bull

Subject- Disclosure o f complete correspondenc e with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RT[ Act 2005

SirAs per directives o f the Honrsquoble Central Information

Commission contained in Para 13 o f the decisioNoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi seeking certified copies o f the complete correspondence this Ministry had with the Governments of the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

9 ^ 2 Our Embassy in Moscow again approached the Government of Russian Federation to get their consent to the disclosure o f documents under reference but the Government of Russian Federation reiterated that documents were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government o f India for investigation o f Netajee Subhash Chandra Bose disappearance

3 However they state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note o f the Embassy can approach the authorities o f the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy o f India for permission to get to know the M aterials deposited in Federal and State Archives o f the Russian Federation

OV-

g ji)

j d L

Yours faithfully

(AK Nag) Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer

_ f

- i V lt L

Copy for information forwarded to-

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110 018

2 Director(ERS) Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi with reference to his Note NoW l(AD)5511007 dated 25102007

Minister (Pol) Embassy o f India Moscow

Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp Central Public Information Officer

N o W l(A D ) 5 5 1 1 0 0 7 M inistry o f External A ffa irs

(ERS D ivision)

W ith re ference your N ote No R T I5 5 1 7 6 0 6 dated 2 2 8 2 0 0 7 to JS (E R S ) regarding d isclosure o f com plete correspondence w ith the USSRRussia o v e r th e d is a p p e a ra n c e o N e ta ji S u b h a s h C h a n d ra B o s g u n d e r R T I A c t 2005 p lease find enclosed th e unofficial translation o f th e note verb ale dated 1 0 c to b e r rsquo0 7 sent by R ussian M inistry o f Foreign Affairs in reply to the note verbale sent by our E m bassy in M o scow on the subject

(A rya S an d e e p ) D irector (E R S )

2 5 O ctob er 2 0 0 7

JS (W ei amp Inf ampCentral Public In form ation O fficer

v C op y to M in ister (Pol) E m bassy o f India M oscow

U n o ffic ia l T ra n s la tio n

Quote

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highest consideration

Moscow 01st October 2007

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

For official use only

E-GRAM

NoMOSPOL 125 190 laquo y October 10 2007

From To

Indembassy Moscow Foreign New Delhi

AStERS) from Minister (Poll

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

Q u o teUnofficial translation

Moscow 01st October 2007

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

sd-(Dr Subhakanta Behera)

Minister (Political)

a I JH

NICEMAIL r^T^X Page 1 o f 1

y

Current Folder SentMaill y II

I - Compose rsquo^ Addresses ^ Folders EOptions gt Search ^ H e lp sij^Fetch ^ss^Calen

Message List | Delete | Edit Previous I Next Forward I Forward as Attachment | Reply | Reply A ll Message as N ew ------------1 ----------- 1-------------------------------- 1 ldquo r J 1

Subject Message from EI MoscowFrom dcmmoscowmeagovinDate Wed October 10 2007 110 pm

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NoMOSpOL125190 October 10 2007

From Indernbassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

AS(BRS) from Minister (Pol)

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

Q u o teUnofficial translation

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of

September 20o7 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22laquod of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

For official use only

1

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

Moscow 01st October 2007

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Minister (Political)

No64682DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and

the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 da ted the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

In add ition to the Note o f the M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion No 429 5 2D A dated the 22 nd o f June 2007 in form tha t docum ents from R ussian a rch ives w ere subm itted e xc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the

the Com m issionAfor investiga tion o f N eta jee S ubhas C handra B ose d isappea rance d e ta iis ^s ta b lis h e d by the G ove rnm en t o f IndiaD

p TU-Indian c itizen m en tioned in the Note o f the E m bassy has ^ f fg h t th rough the E m b a s sy tfo request and to fee- get to k n o w ^ a te r ia ls depos ited in Federa l and S ta te A rch ives o f the R ussian F ede ra tion w ith the perm iss ion o f its authorities

The M in is try ava ils th is opportun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest conside ra tion

M oscow 01st O ctober 2007

A ppend ix N ote N o4295 2D A

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

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No42952DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and quo ting the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 dated the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

D ocum ents from R ussian a rch ives m entioned in the N ote o f the E m bassy w ere subm itted in particu lar in June 2001 exc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the use by the C om m iss ion fo r inves tiga tion o f N e ta jee S ubhas C handra Bose d isappea rance deta ils estab lished by the G ove rnm en t o f India

W e a lso in form tha t the access to Federa l and S ta te A rch ive s o f the R ussian Federa tion is a llow ed w ith the perm iss ion o f Federa l a rch ives A g en cy (R osarch ives) the read ing in read ing room s o f concre te a rch ives w ith th e perm ission o f a rch ives s truc tu res au tho rities o f co rrespond ing bod ies on the basis o f appea l o f E m bassies sc ien tific research ins titu tes and pub lic o rgan iza tions

The M in is try ava ils th is oppo rtun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest considera tion

M oscow 02nd June 2007

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

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NoSA17307

gt v

TRcT ltTv5f rram TTWTEMBASSY OF INDIA

MOSCOWriOCOIbCTBO HhaMM

MocKBa

18 September 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure of entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

J rThe Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent

vdeg a u th o r ity (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sidersquos view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set

^ up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji V A Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not

^ disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if suchaterial could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry it

could be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissionrsquos work is over Thecompetent authority is of the opinion that the material in question could be disclosed

W ^ deg the Appellant They further advised the Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi to formal clearance for the disclosure of the entire material on the above subject

J ^ ^ ^ f r o r y ^ e ^ i l i s s i a n side

- esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure of the above material maylease be communicated to this Mission at an early date

-

f

mbassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to tfte ^ in ijP r^W f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ^ of the Russian F e d e r ^ J ^(2nd Asia Department) 4 - 1 ^ gt i Csy~~~ aM o s c o w 1

6-8 yn BopoHUOBO rioie 131940 r MocKBa

Ten 007-095-783-75-35 007-095-783-75-34

wwwindianembassyru

tjgt2 t 007-095-916-36- 3 2 007-095-975-23-37

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR

JS(WelampInf) amp Central Public Information Officer has forwarded u s the CIC decision with request to initiate action in accordance with p a ra -13 th e Information Commission is all for disclosure of the material The CIC does not see any reason why the m aterial should not be disclosed now to any researcher since the Justice Mukherjee Commissionrsquos work is over Accordingly it has advised the Ministry of External Affairs to seek the formal clearance from the Russian authorities in the m atter

2 DCMrsquos last comm unication with JS(ERS) was made on 4th July 2007 DCM had forwarded the translation of the note verbale received from the Russian Foreign Office

3 In the light of above we may again send a note verbale to the Foreign Office in accordance with p a ra -13 of the CIC decision

Subm itted please

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

Sept 13 2007

NoSA17307 $ September 2007

The Embassy o f India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure o f entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

The Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent authority (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sides view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if such material could be made available to the Justice Mukheerjee Commission for inquiry they see no reason why-thisO material should iw k be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissions work is over The competent authority is of the ifem opinion that the material in question should be disclosed to the Appellant They further advised the Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi to obtain formal clearance for the disclosure o f the entire material on the above subject from the Russian side

The esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure o f the above material may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2nd Asia Department) Moscow

No R TI5517606 Ministry o f External Affairs

(RTI Division)

Subject - Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

Please find enclosed herewith Central Information Com m issionrsquos decision NoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar o f New Delhi

2 It is requested that necessary action may please be initiated in accordance with para-13 o f the CIC decision

EnclAs above

JS (Eiirasia)

(AiC Nag) Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer22-08-2007

mdash o j^ VxkxraquoA

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(e-US)

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Central Information Commission ilaquoWDlaquoted4i^USd|ampL~

sect $ I| | i yyNoCICOKA200600671

Dated 10 August 2007

Name of the Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar263 Kangra NiketanVikaspuri New Delhi - 110 018

Name of the Public Authority Ministry of External Affairs

Background

Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi filed an application with the PIO Ministry of

External Affairs on 2 August 2006 for seeking certified copies of the complete

correspondence the Ministry of External Affairs had with the Governments of

the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash

Chandra Bose

2 The PIO vide his letter dated 25 August 2006 informed the Appellant that

the request to the Government of USSR and the Russian Federation were made

through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels The PiO also stated that the

requisite copies of the correspondence could not be disclosed at it involves the

relations with a foreign State and so was exempt from disclosure as per the

provisions of Clause 8(1 )(a)amp(f) of the RTI Act

3 Dissatisfied with the reply of the PIO the Appellant filed an appeal with

the first Appellate Authority on 23 September 2006 who vide his letter dated 6

November 2006 again denied disclosure of the documents taking recourse to the

Section 8(1 )(a) and (i) The bench of Dr OP Kejariwal Information

mmissioner heard the matter on 23 March 2007

4 The main stand of the Respondents to the information sought by the

Appellant which is regarding the correspondence between India and the

Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia was that this

information could not be disclosed as it was likely to affect the countryrsquos

relationship with another State On making enquiries from the Respondents it

was clear that this correspondence had neither been seen nor been examined

by an expert to come to such a conclusion Therefore the Commission felt

that the Applicantrsquos application had been treated casually

5 The Commission then directed the Respondents to first have this

correspondence examined by their own experts and if need be by an outside

expert who they could rely on and then take a firm decision In case the

experts came to the conclusion that the applicability of the denial clause was

not relevant in the case the material could be disclosed to the Appellant

However in case the Respondents came to the conclusion that the relations

between the Governments of india and Russia would be affected through the

disclosure of this information the Commission would like the issue to be

settled only after a reference had been made to the Government of Russia

6 The matter was taken up for a second hearing by the bench of Dr OP

Kejariwal Information Commissioner on 10 August 2007

7 Shri AK Naag Joint Secretary (Inf amp Wei) amp CPIO and Shri Nand

Kishore Under Secretary (RTI) represented the Respondents

8 The Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar was present in person

Decision

9 The Commission heard both the sides During the hearing the

Respondents stated before the Commission that they had received a response

from the Government of the Russian Federation Moscow in pursuance of the

Commissionrsquos earlier Order in the matter dated 23 March 2007

10 This letter stated ldquoaccording to the correspondence received from the

Embassy of India Moscow the Russian Foreign Office has stated that the

documents handed over by them in June 2001 were meant only for the GOIrsquos

official use and for the work of the Commission in investigations into the

disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo

11 During the hearing the Appellant stated that his request included the

entire correspondence between the Governments of India and the USSR

regarding nf NPtajirsquos disappearance The Commission accepted this

request and directed the Respondents to clearly mention this while seeking the

approval of the Russian authorities for disclosure of this material

12 Also during the hearing the Appellant made a plea for a copy of the

letter received by the Ministry of External Affairs resulting from the application

that he had made on the issue The Commission saw no objection in this

request and directs the Respondents to supply a copy of this letter to the

Appellant

13 The Commission further feels that if the material could be made

available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the

disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be

disclosed now to any Researcher now that that Commissionrsquos work is over The

information Commission therefore is all for disclosure of this material to the

Appellant However it advises the Ministry of External Affairs to seek a formal------ ------ - _ ____________ ___

clearance from the Russian Authorities in the matter

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110018

Shri AK Nag Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) a Central Public Information Officer Room No 207 Akbar Bhawan Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110021

3 Shri Ajay Choudhary Additional Secretary amp Appellate Authority Room No 144 C South Block Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110011

4 Officer Incharge NSC

5 Press E Group CIC

(OP Kejariwal) Information Commissioner

Cc

The Statesman

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17 August 2007

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01

[ India ]-

Netaji filesrsquo disclosure ordered

New Delhi Aug 16 The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the external affairs ministry to disclose its correspondence with the erstwhile USSR over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra BoseldquoThe Commission feels that if the material could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be disclosed to any researcher nowrdquo information commissioner Mr OP Kejariwal saidThe Commission made this observation while hearing Mission Netajirsquos plea for certified copies of the complete correspondence between India and the USSR over Netajirsquos disappearance in 1945 The CIC in its decision relied on a letter from officials in Moscow that said the documents which were handed over to India were meant for ldquoofficial use and for the work o f the Mukherjee Commission n PTI

Discussion on this Ind ia itemDisclaimer These are Internet generated discussion threads for which the The Statesman has no responsibilityNo discussions on this item

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http wwwthestatesmannetpagenewsphpclid=2amptheme=ampusrsess=lampid=l 66383 8172007

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raquo

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR and noting of FS(Pol) thereon

2 It seems the Russian Foreign Office does not want to add anything beyond what they have already pu t in the note verbale of Ju n e 22 2007 However if the said note verbale is read together with the bilateral Agreement of 2000 it becomes clear th a t there is no bar oft supplying confidential information to persons asking for the sam e According to Article 3b ot the Agreement decisions to hand over particular classified information shall be taken by the Parties on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the laws of their States

3 Moreover as a scrutiny of the correspondences between the SovietRussian and Indian sides shows they do not contain any sensitive information All the correspondences convey the result of the search in the Russian Archives Perhaps tha t is why JS(CNV) was inclined to suggest the disclosure of the correspondences

4 Given my positive view on the m atter for disclosure of the correspondences I would however like to propose tha t the Ministry may be sent a copy of the note verbale received from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to take into cognizance of the Agreement of 2000 before taking any final decision on the m atter If needed LampT Division in the Ministry may also be consulted

Subm itted please

(r

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

July 3 2007

No 42952DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation and in reference to the Note SA8907 dated 17th May 2007 has honour to inform the following -

The documents from Russian archives referred to in the Embassyrsquos note in particular handed over in June 2001 for official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set up by it for the investigation of circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

cm)

a

W e further inform that the access to materials belong to federal and state archives of the Russian Federation is given with the consent of Federal Agency of Achieves (Rosarchiv) and permission to work in reading halls of agency archives is given by authorities of archives belong to concerned agencies on direct requests by embassies scientific amp research institutions and social organizations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation assurances of its highest consideration

^ ft o j L (vLoo jP xjlJ~plt~ Moscow 22 June 2007

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TOOfct

ra q

NoS -^ V JS (E R S )0 7

I

9 hTIclt o agtA

P ^ gt r^ yV lt gt V gilaquo )laquo A ^ t Ministry o f External AffairsSouth Block New D elh i-110 011 M ail jsers m eagovin

J L ^ 7 7 0 A A t u - Phone 23017411

PhFax 2 3 0 1 9 2 2

j 3 gt kC ) h ^ Alt 5 ^ ^ M-V r Vw

T his is w ith reference to m y le tter no 11 J S (E R S)2007 d a ted April 20 2007 regard ing a req u e s t m ade u n d e r ldquoRight to in form ationrdquo (copy enclosed for ready reference) It is req u ested th a t th e R u ssian s id e rsquos resp o n se m ay kindly be in tim ated^atjan early da te ^ ^

rajj-vMaaS

Y ours sincerely

(Dr J Bhagwati

X ^h ri D ivyabh M an ch an d a D eputy C hief of M ission E m bassy of Ind ia Moscow

Copy to

AS(PP) JS(CNV)

(Dr J Bhagwati)

No 11 JS (E R S ) 2 0 0 7

Deari

Please refer to AS (PP) an d Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 M arch 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence betw een the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra B osersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E u rasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm w ith the R ussian side w hether they would have any objection to release of correspondence received from them on th is subject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos response m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

S d -(Dr J Bhagwati)

Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) A^(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

S

20 April 2007h

( Dr J Bhagwati )

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tel 7837535 Fax 9752337

NoSA8907 17 May 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 2YuA dated 8 January 1992 and subsequent correspondence (viz No 73YuA dated 27 October 1995 N 547 dated 20 March 1997 19073DA dated 20 March 2003 and 59542DA dated 6 October 2004) including a letter from Ambassador Yu Kutov regarding information about the reported stay of a former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

An Indian citizen had filed a petition under the Right to Information Act 2005 for obtaining all informationdocuments relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The information obtained from the Russian side was denied to the appellant at that time

^Thereupon an appeal was filed by the concerned citizen and currently the V Government of India is considering whether the informationdocuments

-t obtained from Russian authorities on the subject could be released toappellant Views of the Russian side whether the information provided by

( them could be released to the appellant would be essential for the^ f Government of India to take decision on the matter

The esteemed Ministryrsquos views on the matter may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the

s of its highest consideration

f V Ministry of Foreign AffairsL o f the Russian Federation

cr - A sia Department) ^V ^^(V io sco w

A V

Ministry o f External Affairs South Block N ew D elh i-110 011 Mail jsers m eagovinMail jsers m ea Phone 23017411

i]r

Phone 23017411 PhFax 23011922

S e c r e t

No H JS (E R S )2007

Dear L b ]

Please refer to AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence between the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra Bosersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E urasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm with the R ussian side w hether they would have

amp any objection to release of correspondence received from them on thissubject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos re~sponse m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

^Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) AS(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

( Dr J B hagw ati)

V

V No^5AS(PP)2007

Right to Inform atioi Timt

Most Im

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)rsquos Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Inform ation Act 2 005

Shri Anuj Dhar had initially requested this Ministry last year requesting form information on the following two points-

1 Certified copies of complete correspondence the MEA has had with the Governments o f the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

2 Confirmation on whether the Ministry had sought information from the erstwhile Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation by merely issuing Notes Verbale or some serious efforts were ever made at a higher (say Ministerial) level to uncover the mystery surrounding the fate of Netaji

filed an appeal with the CIC The appeal was considered by the CIC on 23 March 2007 The CIC has directed that the Ministry should have the documents under reference carefully examined by a panel of experts to determine whether the information sought by the applicant can be given or not

While we have not received the final decision of the Commission this would a time-bound exercise and it is therefore requested that JS(CNV) may please make the records available to me for a preliminary examination so that expeditious action can be taken on receipt of the formal decision of the CIC

The information was denied to Shri Dhar by this Ministry whereupon he

(AjAdditional Secretary (PP) fit

Appellate Authority (RTI) 28 March 2007

JS(CNV)

Copy forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with the request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me as soon as possible

o f iHC-ifl no 3 20 HOO bull rsquobull bullP

vrrwr 5fn tnrvtEMBASSY OF IN D IA

6-0 Ulitsa Obukha M O S C O W

Tel No 237-0820

t t v

Septe mb er 16 1991

The Embassy of I nd ia presents its compli me nt s to the Mi nistry of For ei gn Aff ai rs of the USSR and has the ho nour to enclose her ew it h a c o ll ect io n opound documents or NetSji S ub ha sh C h an d ra B o s e at one time a President of the Ind-ior N at io na l C o n g r e s s and a leading fig are in ths Indian freedom movement received from H r _ Ch it ts S s s u M em b er of P ar l ia m en t and Gene ra l Secretary All r d i a Forward Bloc a group founded by Meta ji Subhas-i X h 3 n d r a Fgt = $ e ord at present a c o n s t it ue n t of tne Left Front G o v e r n shyment in the Indian state of West Bengal

2 In these d o c u me n ts there are su ggestions quotingthe then Soviet A m b a s s a d o r in Kabul and the Soviet Vice Consu l in T e h er an to the effect that Netaji Subhash Chandra

itighr have found his way to the Soviet Union after the alleged ae ro p la n e cr as h in August 1 9 A 5 As recently as March 5 I990 The H i n d u s t a n Time an Indian daili n e w s p a p e r quoted a scholar of the Soviet Institute if Or ie nt al S t ud ie s to the effect t h a t there are t c S o v i e t sc ho la rs who have applied to tne Covernen-c of the US Sr for pe rm is si on to e xa min e cla ss if ie d documents

3- In the light of the current policy on Soviet nationala r ch i ve s the Embassy of India would appreciate if an rate- rial that sheds light on the fate of Netaji Subhush Chandra Dose in the a rch iv es of S ov ie t or ga nisations including s ec u r i t y o r g a ni s at io ns is made available to the Embassy of India

A The Ere bossy of India n vails itself of this opportunityto renew to the M i n s t r y of Foreign Affairs of the USSH the a s s u r a n c e s of its highest c on si deration

Seal

M i n i t r y of Foreign Af fa ir s Covernment of USSRM o s c o bullgt

E rc 1 a s a b o v e

if nI

(rough translation)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation

No ZAuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that according to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no information whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow8 January 1992

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

trrlter r_ EM B A S S Y OF INDIA6-8 Ulitsa Voiomsovo Polyo

N o S A 8 3 9 5 July 27 19SS

The Embassy of India presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to correspondence resting with their Note Verbaie No 2YuA of S January 15S2 regarding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Enclosed is a booklet which contends that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may have come to the former Soviet Union in 1945 There has teen further speculation in this context reportedly on the basis of archival materials In view of this it would be highly appreciated if ail materials available on the subject couid be examined for a final determination on whether or not Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose entered or stayed anywhere in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 or subsequently

The Embassy of India avails itself of tnis opportunity to renew to tne Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration - bull -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (South Asia Department) Moscow

v

(Unofficial T ransl

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

73YuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central Archival Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents^of Modern History no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to

renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 1995

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1995 Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years W e have now been informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory otthe former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador Kotov forwarding the note categorically asserts th a t we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soilrdquo and that extensive research can hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovrsquos letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

2 I would like you to please bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

(Pripuran Singh Haer)

0 M0 5 F f l I I 0 bull rsquo 1 ~ 6 C

Pripuran Singh Haer Charge dAffaires

MOSPOL125190

r o h o11 bull i bull r o j o o r i

trn s laquoPi j a r m rrcsl p - igt llsquo7EM B A S S Y OF INDIA

6-8 U l iu a Votomsovo PolyM O S C O W

Tel No S i 7-CS20 Tolex 413409 INDEMSU

Tgts Fa bullbull-9 3

October 31 19S5

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1SSS Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years We have now bee informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1595 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is nc

s informatcn whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory cf the formeSoviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador

ji Kotov forwarcing the note categorically asserts that we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soil and that extensive research can

1 hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovsbullvu letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

v jf2 1 wouid iike you to piesse bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

kt (Pripuran Singh Haer)

Shri R L Narayan Joint Secretary (EE) Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi

diams i iL Mr Ror on Sen Arnba ssador of Ind ia to th e R u s s i a n F e d e r a t i o n

D e a r R o n e n

E n c lo sed Y o u will find o u r no te c o n c e rn in g S u b h a sh C h a n d ra

Bose D o bel ieve th a t we have t r ied o u r best to discover any relevant

I actsU n f o r tu n a te ly I a m p ro fo u n d ly d is t ressed being u n a b le to provide

t any posi t ive in f o r m a t i o n on th e subject o f no t th e least im p o r t a n c e for

the In d ia n public Alas by now it a p p e a r s that we can be su re tha t Netnj has neve r set foot o n th e R u ss ia n soil Extensive re sea rch car r ied out

u p o n th e latest r eq u es t o f Y o u r s can h a rd ly leave any d oub ts to lhgt

effect

S in ce re ly Y ours Y a K o t o v

w

r lt W 3 lt tfr s t pound 2 3 i

Intervention by H EM rAnatoly MDrukov Ambassador of Russia in India during the

eress-conference on the 210296 in le Foreign Correspondentsrsquo Club__________

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is

deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people

who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73Y uA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

inform ation on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

m uch em otion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

j i

gt J -

i

Directorate of Foreign Relatilt Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

March 20 1997

N 547

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to you and has the honour to forward herewith the letter of Mr L Joychandra Singh addressed a second time to the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

In reply to this repeated query the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence (CAMD) of the Russian Federation has pointed out that there is no other data relating to the fate of Subhash Chandra Bose besides the information conveyed to you vide letter No1843 dated October 28 1996 (enclosing No222672 of the CAMD)

We request you to kindly inform Mr L Joychandra Singh of the above reply from the Archives

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Military Wing of the Embassy of India in Moscow the assurances of its highest consideration

Military Attache in the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation

Brig D Singh

No 19073DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federations presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassyrsquos note verbale No SA 1003 dated 8 January 2003 and the Ministryrsquos note verbale No 1423DA dated 28 June 2001 has the honour to inform you about the following

A search was conducted for documents related to the fate ofSCBose in the following federal archives

Russian State Military Archive (RGVA) Russian State Archives of Socio-Political History (RGASPI) State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) and Russian State Historical Archives of the Far East (RGIA DV) The information requested for was not found in the GARF RGVA and RGIA DV archives

Copies of the documents found in the RGIA DV Archives were sent to the Embassy in 2001

No information has been found about the fate of SC Bose in the Central Archives of the Russian FSB the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in the m anuscript section of the Russian State Library or in the Russian State Archives of Photographic Documents (RGAKFD)

We would also like to inform th a t the personnel archives of Eva Yakovlevna Lyusternik were sent after her death to the Russian Academy of Sciencesrsquo Institute of Oriental Studies and the open part of the archival m aterial on IV Stalin was sent from the archives of the President of the Russian Federation to RGASPI

The Ministry would like to use th is opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

M inistry of Foreign AtlairsR u ssian F ed eratio n

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Moscow 20th March 2003

^ M la iet ja Affaireo f the deration

No S 9 5 4 2 A A

The M inistry of Foreign Affairs of th e R ussian Federation p resen ts its com plim ents to the Em bassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and in continuation of Note No 55382XA dated Septem ber 14 2004 h as the honour to intorm th a t Information sought on the fate of Ind iarsquos p rom inent political figure Netaji S u b h ash C hand ra Bose was no t found in the C entral Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia

The M inistry avails of th is opportun ity to renew to the Em bassy the a ssu ra n ce s of its highest consideration

M oscow October 6 2004

E m bassy o f th e Republic o f India M oscow -

Ministry o f External Affairs CNV Division

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Information Act

Reference note at FR from AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) regarding CICrsquos directives on appeal by Shri Anuj Dhar who was denied information requested concerning disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his whereabouts in the former USSRRussia i f any

2 Vide letter o f 020806 at FA Shri Dhar had requested for (a) certified copies o f complete correspondence between MEA and the Government o f USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referring to Our Embassyrsquos intervention with the Russian MFA in 199219951997 2001 and 2003 and (b) whether MEA sought information from the Russian side in a routine manner through issue o f Note Verbales or some serious efforts were made at a higher level

3 Vide issue o f 250806 at FB CPIO on the basis o f inputs from CNV Division replied to Shri Dhar conveying that (a) requests to the Governments o f the USSRRussia were made through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels and (b) requisite copies o f the correspondence sought cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under provisions of Clause 8(l)(a)amp (f) o f the RTI Act Under Clause8(1)(a) there is noobligation to give any citizen information disclosure o f which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity o f India the security strategic scientific or economic interests o f the State relation with foreign State or lead to incitement o f an offence Under Clause 8(l)(f) there is no obligation to give ldquoinformation received in confidence from foreign governmentrdquo

4 Shri Dhar vide his letter o f 230906 at FC had appealed to then Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) on the ground that the reasons given by the CPIO denying him the information aslced for are untenable With regard to the intervention with the USSRRussian Government for information on Netajirsquos disappearance Shri Dhar seeks to know if this matter was pursued at a higher (say Ministerial) level Regarding Ministryrsquos resort to Clause 8(l)(a) Shri Dhar wrote that this is not intelligible to him as to how correspondence dealing with the disappearance o f a national hero can be threat to India or its relations with USSR which does not exist and has been disowned by the successor state o f the Russian Federation He has also questioned as to why information received in this matter o f national importance should be confidential In response to the appeal C lW Division has conveyed to JS (Inf) and CPIO vide its note dated 011106 at FD that (a) the information sought for by Shri Dhar ie whether serious efforts were made with interventions at higher levels with the Russian Government to seek information on Netajirsquos disappearance does not constitute ldquoinformationrdquo as defined in the RTI Act and the question is anecdotal in nature and (b) that copies o f correspondence cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under the relevant clauses in the RTI Act Though there is no evidence on this NGO file it is our understanding that these views were conveyed by the Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) to Shri Dhar Presumably what was meant was that Shri Dhar was seeking the opinion o f the MEA as to whether the efforts made by GOl in its interventions with the Russian Government were serious or just routinely taken up Since such lsquoopinionrsquo is not covered under Clause 1(0 hence it cannot be construed as lsquoinformationrsquo

6 The undersigned has gone through all available records in NGO Section pertaining to correspondence with the USSRRussian Governments seeking information on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose In particular attention is drawn to a note recorded in December 1998 at FE on linked file giving the chronological background to suchcorrespondence starting from May 1990 in the Note for Supplementaries prepared for Rajya Sabha Starred Question No 174 for answer on 101298 dealing with the Asiatic Societyrsquos request for access to Russian archives It may also be seen from the attached

A

Anticipated Questions and their Answersrsquo that Ministry was willing to disclose the contents o f the Note Verbale received from the Russian Government in response to IUdiaji demarches regarding information on Netaji on the floor o f the House There is no i available on NGO files to indicate if such information was in fact disclosed on the flooi o f the House when the PQ was answered However the point to note is Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose such information As per the last line under Clause 8 o f RTI Act ldquoinformation which cannot be denied to the Parliament or the State legislature shall not be denied to any personrdquo Therefore if such information has already been disclosed on the floor o f the House or even by virtue o f Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose we may no deny such information requested by Shri Anuj Dhar

7 Chronologically the correspondence copies available on file and linked files and sought by Shri Dhar are listed as under

(a) NV No Nil dated 160991 from EI Moscow to MFA USSR Government at FF on linked file

(b) NV No 2YuA dated 080192 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at -FGv -- bullbullbulllaquo mdash bullbull

(c) NV No SA8395 dated 270795 from EI M oscow to MFA Russian Government at FH on linked file

(d) NV No 73YuA dated 271095 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at FI

(e) DO letter from CDA EI Moscow enclosing Amb Kotovrsquos letter to Amb Ronen Sen at FJ on linked file

(f) Record o f intervention by Russian Ambassador to India at a press IK lrsquo ltonffirericebnrsquo2i0296 at FK on linked file

(g) NV No N547 dated 200397 from Russian Defence Ministry to EI Moscow at FL

(h) NV No 19073DA dated 200303 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow aft FM and

(k) NV No 59542DA dated 061004 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow 4 FN

8 A perusaldf the available correspondence shows the continuous effort made by the Ministry through the Embassy in Moscow to obtain information available i f any on Netajirsquos whereabouts in Russia It also shows that such effort was made at very high levels even through correspondence between the Indian Ambassador to Russia and his Russian counterpart One such correspondence is even addressed to a private Indian citizen in Manipur and the same has been passed on to him by our Embassy in Moscow There is no evidence to suggest that such correspondence was received in confidence an not to be disclosed However it would be beyond the competence o f CNV Division to make such a judgment merely on perusal ofthe filesrecords available in NGO SectionAS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) may like to consult Eurasia Division and Embassy o f India Moscow on whether disclosure o f such information under RTI woulc be detrimental to bilateral relations

J)(Debnath ShaiO

X At Wi bull JS (CNV)09 April 20f)7

AS fPP) amp Aeffellate Authority TRTI)

fet L 0 k f t t U a k k f c v J y -TI 4 i t i

cn v w et oA 2 4 JhV oW ei w ttC a

i CIC c h t tfcVe (jEuTA4-IAJ jrteaitcrj At-jKCdh-al tjyin cm Mm+cpL

I M i i ) J L j i t

j J 7

i

-r-

31

FAXTo AS(PP)

MEA New Delhi Fax 91-11-23013387

From First Secretary (Pol) Indembassy Moscow

Rpti) DS[Russia] MEA

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tele 007-495-9163544 Fax 007- 495-9163632

With reference to DS[Russia]rsquos message regarding AS[PP]rsquos note to JS[CNV] No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 9 April 2007 on an appeal filed under No RTI act 2005

2 Please find faxed herewith currently available few copies of this Missionrsquos correspondence with local authorities on the subject We will send more m aterial if available by the earliest diplomatic bag

U ) U v tcrv-4 j

(Dr Suresh Babu) FS [Pol]

13042007

A

- P O C C H H C K A fl A K M E M H H HAYK ^

H H C T H T Y T B O C T O K O B E ^ E H H J I

___________ JV2 ____________________

H a JVs_____________________________ T To 1Justice Mukherji

Commission o f Inquiry M irza Ghalib Street

Kolkata

Dear Sir

This is to inform you that as per your request we have checked the Private

Archive o f Prof EYaLustemic in the Indian Center o f the Institute of Oriental

Studies Russian Academy o f Sciences Moscow

We regret to inform you that there is no document on Subash Chandra Bose

With sincere regards

(Shaumian TLHead the Indian Center o f the Institute o f Oriental Studies

Russian Academy o f SciencesM oscow)

26092005

l0303l(Plttgt CHO 103753 (MeacflyHapoflHbiH) MocKBa T C n yji PoxcnecTBeHKa12 Ten (095)921-1884 (095)925-6461 Oaicc (095)975-2396 E-mail ivran orcru

In contrast to Indian National Congress Bose and his activists basically counted on armed struggle and open cooperation against enemies of England - Germany Italy and Japan Bose dreamed about freedom for India through crushing defeat of Britain Bose could not do it himself so he linked activity of his troops and groups with assault of Germany on India from the West and Japan from the East The aim of Bose was to expedite the assault in all possible ways and reinforce it from inside by subversive Anti-English activity in India and if possible to attached nature o f mass anti-British revolt However at that time not all people considered his activity as ldquosubversiverdquo Fascism was not so popular in India at that time but racism and violence were condemned everywhere A lot of Indians were satisfied with telling blows delivered hateful center o f empire by axis countries in particular against the background of British demonstrative nonshyrecognition of Indian rights for self-determination J Nehru wrote about this period How can we conciliate two basic directions of our policy - opposition to British imperialism and opposition to fascism and nazism How can we adjust our nationalism with our internationalism That was a difficult question for us taking in view current situation However this question would not be difficult if the British Government take a step to show us its refusal from imperialistic policy in India and rely on peoplersquos good willrdquo

But it did not happen Indian public reacted accordingly Describing the psychological atmosphere in the country that time Jawaharlal Nehru wrote ldquoPeople were pushing out not by patriotic feelings but by their willingness to save themselves from an offense and the worstrdquo

So S Bose did not have any mass support but he could use the mood of majority for his own purposes Nehru wrote about it the following ldquoProtection of the imperialism which we were fighting with for such a long time seemed to be non-sense and impossible to usrdquo

Unofficial translation

ldquoMatsottardquo is obtaining Soviet visa

Instructions were really complicated It was necessary to send Subhas Chandra Bose to Germany He was wanted by Britain secret service colonial Administration and local police throughout India Bose was staunch and irreconcilable adversary of Great Britain and may be the most dangerous one at that time

Extracts of the book whiten by Yuri L Kuznets ldquoMarauders are quitting the gamerdquo

Published in 1992 by ldquoInterprakstrdquo Moscow

Of course Bose made his main counting on the military defeat of England at the time when Hitlerrsquos Germany had been already at the war with it and Japan was still neutral So Bose was interested in Berlin When Japan occupied Burma and came close to the Indiarsquos borders Bose reoriented to the Far East

In spring 1941 his ways crossed with Bhagat Ram Bose decided to shift from India to Berlin because some of his friends and relatives were arrested in India and he by himself also was wanted He needed Hitlerrsquos support including financial one Ports we under police control and departure trough one of them was very risky Bose took another way and in February came to Kabul He was accompanied by Bhagat Ram who was not a member o f Bosersquos organization he did not like axis-members but he was posted as Bosersquos escort by his party ldquoKirti Kissanrdquo because o f his knowledge of Phushtun zone which they had to cross as well as Afghanistan and Kabul He also had his own flat in Kabul - the premises which belonged to Ultam Chang and his shop It was supposed that Ram was doing a favour to Bose only due to their common aim - to weak British positions in India at most

Ram fulfilled his task Bose settled down in Kabul and started to make arrangements for the next step of his journey During war time he could come to Germany only through the territory o f USSR For this purpose he required a passport which he did not have German Embassy applied to the Italian one Italians considered the German request positively Bose got passport in respect of Italian citizen Mazzotta Holding this passport Bose applied to the Soviet Embassy for transit visa crossed the USSR territory and came to Berlin

Mazzotta disappeared But German Consulate General drew attention to Bhagat Ram who was introduced as a powerful Indian activist in Afghanistan and India with anti-British orientation It was o f interest and he was suggested to work for the German Secret Service German resident was satisfied with Ramrsquos past his contacts and mood especially because he was concerned about difficulties o f the anti-British activities in India shortage of agents and information as well as conspiratorial bases in India Bosersquos recommendation also helped Ram was thinking it would be important for me and my party to establish contacts with enemies of their enemies

Offer on co-operation was accepted Ram left German Consulate having 100 000 Indian Rupees in his pocket 12 guns and ballets Money and arms were required by the people whom Ram would be recruiting in India Since May 1941 after the German finished their checking Ram had become the main agent o f the German Secret Service in India

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337 Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 9 4 0 5 September 9 2005

The Em bassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Em bassyrsquos earlier Note Verbales on the visit of a delegation of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 20-30 2005 in connection with enquiring into the facts and circum stances relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

It is confirmed th a t all logistical arrangem ents for official JMCI delegation and the accompanying eight deponents would be facilitated by the Embassy with no financial implications to the Russian side

It would be appreciated if the decision of the esteemed Ministry on visas for the visiting team may kindly be expedited

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

Copy to Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

No 5830 2DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Notes No SA16605 of 08 August No SA17405 of 18 August and No SA17905 and No SA18005 of 26 August this year has the honour to inform as follows

Justice Mukherjee as a Head of the Delegation set up by the Government of India to inquire about life of Subhas Chandra Bose pertaining to the period from 1945 onwards as well as the accompanying delegation will be given access to the documents kept in the Reading Halls o f the Federal and State Archives of the Subjects o f the Russian Federation in Moscow St Petersburg Irkutsk and Omsk through the Federal Archives Agency of the Russian Federation All expenditures related to the arrangements for their visit air-passage accommodation transport and medical insurance etc should be borne by the Indian side The Federal Archive Agency requests to inform Mr MK Mukherjee of the addresses of Federal Archives given below

1 Russian State Archive for social and political history - 103 821 Moscow 15 B Dmitrovka Str Director - Kiril M Anderson Tel 229 97 26

2 Russian State Archive of Audio- Photo Documents - 143 400 Moscow Region Krasnogorsk 1 Rechnaya Str Director - Lyudmila P Zapryagaeva Tel 562 14 64 563 08 45

3 Russian State Archive for Phono Documents 105 005 Moscow3 2ya Baumanskaya Str Director - Vladimir A Kolyada Tel 261 13 00

4 Russian State Naval Archive - 191 186 St Perersburg 36 Millionnaya Str Director - Vladimir S Sobolev Tel (812)312 11 37

The Federal Archives Agency recommends the following for work with the documents o f

- Central State Archive of St Petersburg - to apply to St Petersburg Archives Committee (193 015 St Petersburg 39 Tavricheskaya Str) Chairman of the Committee - Mr Anatoly D Yashkov Tel (812) 271 44 55)

- State Archive of Omsk Region - to apply to the Archive Department of the Ministry for State and Legal Development o f Omsk Region Head - Ms Galina Yu Borodina (644 099 Omsk 1 Tretyakova Str) Tel (381-2) 25 57 26

- State Archive of Irkutsk Region - to apply to Archive Department of Irkutsk Region Head - Ms Nadezhda K Shestakova (664003 Irkutsk 36a Gorkogo Str) Tel (395-2) 24 06 42

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow ldquo 15 ldquo September 2005

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA Moscow

slvNon-paper

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2004 r b apxHBax OCE 46-th CTpaHHHHbiH OKyMeHT)

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9

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow___ Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337

Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 8 0 0 5 August 26 2005

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Embassyrsquos earlier communications regarding the visit of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 18-30 2005

By way of background information given below are the relevant details of JMCI -

(i) The Government o f India Ministry o f Home Affairs New Delhi vide a gazette notification No S 0339(B) dated 14th May 1999 appointed Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry for Inquiry into the Alleged Disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under Section (3) o f the Commission o f Inquiry Act o f 1952 (60 o f 1952)

(ii) As per this notification Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry shall inquire into all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945 and subsequent developments connected therewith including-(a) whether Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is dead or alive(b) I f he is dead whether he died in the plane crash as alleged(c) Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are the ashes o f Netaji(d) Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and if

so when and how(e) I f he is alive in respect o f his whereabouts

(iii) The Commission shall also examine the manner in which the exercise o f Scrutiny o f Publications touching upon the question o f death or otherwise on Netaji can be undertaken by the Central Government in the circumstances

(iv) Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry is funded by the Ministry o f Home Affairs Government o f India and is an official Commission

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

Copy to M inistry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV t J 001

A MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS (PP) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of material immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

Deputy Secretary (Russia) Ph 23015199 Intercom 2285

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

Dr T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

T c J i h irvMUt(SOMNATH GHOSH)

Deputy Secretary Ministry of External Affairs

New Deifci

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 1^1002

( t

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No R T I-2 pound _ A S (P P )2 0 0 7

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance_of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anufpfiar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) 6t

Appellate Authority (RTI) 09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

g^py forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - H W U(Ajal Choudhfy)

1 o 7

0 v

j N lsquoaA gt ^ 1 ^

04 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV

MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS-iEP-) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of matenal immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

D tpu ij u su ta i J iu J o ia JPh 23015199 Intercom 228S

D r T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

h i 7-

_100pound 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 002

Most Immediate

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No RTI-HiLAS(PP) 2007

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed bv Shri Anul Dhar under RTI 200S - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anurbhar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC ------ = = = = mdash

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) amp

Appellate Authority (RTI)09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

JZopy forwarded to JS(Eurasla) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - t t U X f (Ajal ChoudMfy)

k

Buff 43402

Square C u t Raider A4 434Made in London

Blue 43403 Green 43404 Grey 43405 Orange 43406 Pink 43407 Red 43408 Yellow 43409 Mauve 43414

Page 10: V ' . . . Disci* wi/K 0*s*/ - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ...

E-MailFax

No MOSPOL125190 September 9 2014

From Indem bassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) from SS(Pol)

Please refer to your mail dated Sept 3 2014 seeking inputs on Part 2 o f the RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate ro Pilibhit UP on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose

2 Copies o f the follow ing relevant correspondence received from Russian side are attached-

(i) NV No 2YuA dt8 January 1992(ii) No 73YuA dated October 27 1995(iii) Letter from Amb Kotov to Amb Ronen Sen

3 It may be seen from the above papers that there is no r ^

particular ja il m entioned in the applicantrsquos query Henee - it would b e -pppmpriatR_to_rep ly -to -tho applicant that- nomdashstteh-- informationmdashismdash-available with -asv

a v a i l a b l e mdash ^ - ^ t h e stay o f Netaji Subash Chandra

W ith Regards

(Gopal Ram) Second Secretary (Pol)

C o u n s e llo r (P o litic a l)

Pag o f 1

I f I

From d irers ltd ire rs m eagovingtltm inpo l ind ianem bassyrugt

~ent W ednesday S ep tem ber 03 2014 1113 AM Attach IM G pdf Subject S P A M ldquo RTI MOST IMMEDIATE

For Counsellor (Pol)

Enclosed please find an RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate seeking information on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

It is requested that Missions inputs on Part 2 of the question raised in the RTI application may be sent to us at an early date

Regards

Pankaj Saxena Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) Ministry of External Affairs RoomNo235G South Block New Delhi-110 011 Tel 2301 4600

ltK

4 ^ A ^ c A U - f o -

f j - W j2 v

bull

932014

A l fr

p o litic a l d ip lo m a tic s o lu tio n H o w e v e r w e re fo c u s e d m ilita r i ly o n s t re n g th e n in g d e fe n s e o f o u r a llie s T h a t s o u r c o re ta s k R a s m u s s e n s a id b e fo re a m e e tin g w ith E U d e fe n s e m in is te rs

W e re r ig h t n o w c o n s id e r in g fu r th e r s te p s to s tre n g th e n o u r c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e A s I in d ic a te d th a t a ls o in c lu d e s w h a t I w o u ld ca ll a p p ro p r ia te d e p lo y m e n ts h e a d d e d c o m m e n tin g on th e c u rre n t a g e n d a

B u t its a b it to o e a r ly to g o in to d e ta ils a s to h o w w e w ill in c o n c re te te rm s s tre n g th e n c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e B u t no o n e s h o u ld d o u b t o u r d e te rm in a t io n to e n s u re in te n s iv e d e fe n s e a n d p ro te c tio n o f a ll a ll ie s R a s m u s s e n s ta te d w ith n o fu r th e r d e ta ils o n th e a ll ia n c e s p ro s p e c t iv e s tra te g y

S p e a k in g a t p r io r m e e tin g s th e S e c re ta ry -G e n e ra l a ls o v o ic e d c o n c e rn s a b o u t c la s h e s in e a s te rn U k ra in e b e tw e e n p ro - fe d e ra liz a t io n p ro te s te rs a n d fo rc e s lo y a l to th e g o v e rn m e n t c a llin g on R u s s ia to d e -e s c a la te th e c r is is a n d pu ll b a c k its la rg e n u m b e r o f tro o p s in c lu d in g s p e c ia l fo rc e s fro m th e a re a a ro u n d U k ra in e s b o rd e r w h ile w a rn in g th a t a n y fu r th e r R u s s ia n m ilita ry in te r fe re n c e w o u ld o n ly d e e p e n R u s s ia s in te rn a t io n a l is o la t io n

R u s s ia n F o re ig n M in is te r S e rg e i L a v ro v re je c te d W e s te rn a c c u s a t io n s th a t R u s s ia w a s b e h in d th e c r is is in s o u th e a s te rn U k ra in e s a y in g n e ith e r R u s s ia n s e c u r ity a g e n ts n o r s o ld ie rs h a v e b e e n d e p lo y e d to th e re g io n

T h e M in is try s a id th a t N A T O is a tte m p tin g to u s e th e U k ra in ia n c r is is a s an im a g in a ry th re a t to u n ite th e a ll ia n c e s m e m b e rs p u s h in g fo r R u s s ia s is o la t io n

Updated headline quote in paras 2 3

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7 A bandoned W onders o f the USSR

W orld s Most B eautifu l Things

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WI (AD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u F S (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P lease find a ttached a self-exp lanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f Subhash C hand ra Bose u n d er the R T I Act for kind necessary action a t your end

ahul S hrivastava) U n d er S ecre tary 7 Janu ary 2 0 0 8

No RTI5517606Ministry of External Affairs

( RTI Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquos note WI (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content of the note was conveyed to the Information Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government of

j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russian 1 Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the National

Achieve o f India

We have received a communication to this effect from the CIC which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(AK Nag) JS (Wei amp Inf) amp CPIO

December 18 2007

In fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r

gt O P KEJARIWAL fe laquoft-110067 B lo ck-IV 5 th F lo o r O ld JN U C a m p u s

N e w D e lh i-1 1 0 0 6 7 T ele fax 26717351

C entra In fo rm a t io n C o m m is s io n

November 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T I5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian Governm ent for disclosure of the N eta ji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar We have now received a le tte r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N eta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portan t from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere ind iv idualrsquos in terest He suggests and reuests therefore that this m ateria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India from abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m a tte r t h erefore is pursued w ith the I Russian G overnm ent so th a t w hatever m ateriah s o f va lue a nd in te rest to India m ay com e to us especially in the present case

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) Ministry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

Yours sincerely

(OP Kejariw al)

To 26 November 2007

Dr OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner Central Information Commission Old JNU Campus New Delhi - 110067

Subject R eq u est to Ind ian Errbassy to procure p ost-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian arch ives

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter NoR TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2007 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision N oC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made v this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the

Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Embassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

i

2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing ruies or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at times provide information A request from the Embassy of India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

^ would not yvant this exercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant records are identified the Embassy may procure them for the National Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India

since they are likely to provide a never befc 3 insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world w a r for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n L ____2 63 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mayzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez iden ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)[A rch ive o f the P res id en t o f the R uss ian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lsk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606-13-33 Fax (495 ) 606 -19 -66

2 Is to riko-dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del R F (ID D M ID) [H is torico-D ocum enta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in is try o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o lenska ia -S enna ia p loshchad 3234 Tel (495) 244-32-19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i po litik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (A V P RF)[A rch ive o f Fore ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241-04-80

4 Tsen tra lrsquonyi a rkh iv M in is te rs tva o bo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f D e fense]142100 M oskovskaia ob las t P odo lrsquosk ul K irova 74 Tel (495) 715-90-05 (0967) 54-00-03

5 G lavno je R azvedyva te lno je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilitary In te lligence D irecto ra te arch ives Address not know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 TsentraPnyi a rkh iv Federa lno i s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (TsA FSB R ossjj)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F edera l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzhby vneshne i razvedki RF (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)[O perational A rch ive o f the Fore ign In te lligence S erv ice ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 5110Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 245 -33 -68 Fax (495) 247-05-29

8 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (TsA M VD R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In te rna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovocherem ushk inska ia 67 (Archive) ul Zoi i A leksa nd ra K osm odem iansk ikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-90

2

o o ^ y - q ^ - s z n ^ h

A deg U lt 6 S (3 2 -

gt

bull - - - bull bull

i - r

-0

F a x M e s s a g e P n o m

7 Jan 2008 1626

NameFax Number

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C

L i

DIRlt ERS)MEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1626 P0105

M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Te l 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u srs m eag o v in

WI(AJD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u FS (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P le as e find a ttached a self-explanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f S ubhash C hand ra Bose under the RT Act for kind necessary action a t your end

lahul S h rivastava) U n d e rs e c re ta ry 7 J a n u a ry 2 0 0 8

DIR(ERS gtMEflRNQ235C 7 Jan 2008 16=26 P020b

No RTI5517606 Ministry of External Affairs

( RTX Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquo s note W I (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser o f complete correspondence

with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash | Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content o f the note was conveyed to the Information j Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant bull The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government o f j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russiani Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the Nationali bull

W e have received a communication to this effect from the CIC

i s J

Achieve o f India

which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(A K Nag) JS (W ei amp Inf) amp CPIO1

December 18 2007

DIR( ERS gtMEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1627 P 0305

gt O P KEJARIWALSTTJprf

-MiX TR 4 58 cfcr TPTT

fcc=6ft11 0 0 6 7 Biock-lV 5th Floor Oki JNU Campus

I n fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r New Delhi-110067 Telefax 26717351

Centra Information Commission

Novem ber 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T 5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian G overnm ent fo r disclosure of the N etaji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar W e have now received a le t te r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N e ta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portant from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere individuals in terest He suggests and reuests th ere fo re that this m a te ria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India f rom abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m atte r therefore is pursued w ith the Russian Governm ent so th a t w hatever m ateria l is of va lue and interest to India may come toTis especially in the present case

Yours sincerely

(O P Kejariw al)

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) M inistry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C 7 Jan 2008 16 = 2 P 0405

02 6 N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 7

Dr OP Kejariwal information Com missioner Central Information Commission

+ Old JNU Campus N ew Delhi - 110067

Subject R e q u e s t to Ind ian Em bassy to procure post-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian a rc h ive s

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter N o R TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2 0 07 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTi Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision NoC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

lt think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Em bassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

4 2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing rules or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at tim es provide information A request from the Embassy o f India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

I would not w ant this e xercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant fcS ords s re identified the Em bassym ay procure them fo rtheN atTonal Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India since they are likely to provide a never befc s insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

1

DIR ( ERS) ME ARN0235C7 Jan 2008 16=27

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world war for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n t 2 6 3 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mazzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez idsn ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)Archive o f th e P re s id e n t o f the R ussian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lrsquosk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606 -13 -33 Fax (495) 606-19-66

2 Is to riko -dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del RF (ID D M ID) [H is to rico -D ocum en ta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in istry o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o ie nska ia -S en n a ia p loshchad rsquo 3234 Tel (495) 244 -32 -19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i p o lit ik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (AVP RF)[A rch ive o f Fo re ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241 -04 -80

4 Tsen tra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva obo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f th e M in is try o f D e fense] - bull -142100 M oskovska ia o b la s t P odo lsk ul K irova74 Tel (495 )715-90-05 (0 9 6 7 )5 4 -0 0 -0 3

5 G lavno je R a zve dyva te ln o je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilita ry In te lligence D irectora te a rch ives A ddress no t know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv FederaPnoi s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (T sA FS B R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F e de ra l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzh by vneshne i razvedki R F (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)(O perational A rch ive o f the F o re ign In te lligence Service ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 51 10Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 2 4 5 -33 -6 8 Fax (495) 247-05-29

Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (T sA M VD R ossii)[Central A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In terna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovoche rem ushk inska la 67 (Archive) ul Z o i i A le ksa n d ra K osm odem ianskikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-30

ffs

amp-3gt) i c y v

Embassy of India Moscow(Political Wing) f t

r r v ^Subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with USSRRussia over the

disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 reg

Reference remarks made by the Ambassador on FR a letter from JS (Wei ampInf) addressed to Shri OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner copy endorsed to Min (Pol) on the above subject

Back ground of the case On receipt o f a copy o f AS (PP )rsquo s Note No RTI- 36AS(PP)07 dated 942007 on the above subject Mission vide fax dated 130407 forwarded few copies o f Missionrsquos correspondence with the local authorities on the subject to AS(PP) -------- At F A

Subsequently on receipt o f JS(ERS)rsquo s letter No 1 lJS(ERS)2007 dated 20407 enclosed with A S (PP )rsquo s Note No 30AS(PP)07 amp JS(CNV)rsquo s Note along with copies o f correspondence available in CNV Division on the subject Mission has sent a Note Verbale No SA8907 dated 1752007 to Russian Foreign Ministry requesting for the views o f the Russian side whether the information provided by them could be released to the appellant -------At FB

Documents provided by Russian side and forwarded to the Commission

(i) Documents initially provided by the Russian side attached with Note Verbale No1423 DA dated 28h June 2001 which was forwarded to the Ministry on August

31 2001 may please be seen a t-----FC in the linked file

(ii ) On the basis of an affidavit submitted to the Justice Mukherjee Commission a Note Verbale No SA25904 dated December 22 2004 was sent to the M FA and reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 13142 DA dated 4 March 2005 enclosed with a copy of letter from Mr V Sayadyants to the Soviet Ambassador to Iran Mr IV Sadchikov regarding the political situation in India in 1946 may please be seen a t--------FD in the linked file

Response of the Russian side

( i) A reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 42952 DA dated 2262007 stating therein that ldquo the documents from Russian Archives handed over in June 2001 were for official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up by it for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo This was conveyed to the Ministry vide letter No MOSPOL125190 dated 472007 --------At FE

P2

2

Again on receipt o f a copy o f the decision o f Central Information Commission vide No RTI5517606 dated 22082007 (At FF) Mission took up the matter with M FA vide Note Verbale No SA17307 dated 1892007 for which a reply was received vide No 42952DA dated 11007 reiterating their view that the documents from RussianArchives were submitted exclusively for official use by the GOI including Thiswas conveyed to the Ministry vide E-gram dated 10102007-----At FG

Submitted as desired by Min (Pol) please

2

f^TT FTRTTM IN ISTR Y O F E X TE R N A L A F FA IR S

NEW D ELH I

Dated 2nd November 2007 I gt gt v

gt ldquo $

NoRTI551762006

Shri OP KejariwalInformation Commissioner Central Information Commission Club Building Old JNU Campus New Delhi-110 067 bull

Subject- Disclosure o f complete correspondenc e with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RT[ Act 2005

SirAs per directives o f the Honrsquoble Central Information

Commission contained in Para 13 o f the decisioNoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi seeking certified copies o f the complete correspondence this Ministry had with the Governments of the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

9 ^ 2 Our Embassy in Moscow again approached the Government of Russian Federation to get their consent to the disclosure o f documents under reference but the Government of Russian Federation reiterated that documents were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government o f India for investigation o f Netajee Subhash Chandra Bose disappearance

3 However they state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note o f the Embassy can approach the authorities o f the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy o f India for permission to get to know the M aterials deposited in Federal and State Archives o f the Russian Federation

OV-

g ji)

j d L

Yours faithfully

(AK Nag) Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer

_ f

- i V lt L

Copy for information forwarded to-

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110 018

2 Director(ERS) Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi with reference to his Note NoW l(AD)5511007 dated 25102007

Minister (Pol) Embassy o f India Moscow

Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp Central Public Information Officer

N o W l(A D ) 5 5 1 1 0 0 7 M inistry o f External A ffa irs

(ERS D ivision)

W ith re ference your N ote No R T I5 5 1 7 6 0 6 dated 2 2 8 2 0 0 7 to JS (E R S ) regarding d isclosure o f com plete correspondence w ith the USSRRussia o v e r th e d is a p p e a ra n c e o N e ta ji S u b h a s h C h a n d ra B o s g u n d e r R T I A c t 2005 p lease find enclosed th e unofficial translation o f th e note verb ale dated 1 0 c to b e r rsquo0 7 sent by R ussian M inistry o f Foreign Affairs in reply to the note verbale sent by our E m bassy in M o scow on the subject

(A rya S an d e e p ) D irector (E R S )

2 5 O ctob er 2 0 0 7

JS (W ei amp Inf ampCentral Public In form ation O fficer

v C op y to M in ister (Pol) E m bassy o f India M oscow

U n o ffic ia l T ra n s la tio n

Quote

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highest consideration

Moscow 01st October 2007

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

For official use only

E-GRAM

NoMOSPOL 125 190 laquo y October 10 2007

From To

Indembassy Moscow Foreign New Delhi

AStERS) from Minister (Poll

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

Q u o teUnofficial translation

Moscow 01st October 2007

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

sd-(Dr Subhakanta Behera)

Minister (Political)

a I JH

NICEMAIL r^T^X Page 1 o f 1

y

Current Folder SentMaill y II

I - Compose rsquo^ Addresses ^ Folders EOptions gt Search ^ H e lp sij^Fetch ^ss^Calen

Message List | Delete | Edit Previous I Next Forward I Forward as Attachment | Reply | Reply A ll Message as N ew ------------1 ----------- 1-------------------------------- 1 ldquo r J 1

Subject Message from EI MoscowFrom dcmmoscowmeagovinDate Wed October 10 2007 110 pm

To jsersmeagovinPriority NormalOptions V iew Full Header | V iew Printable V ersion | Add to Addressbook

Attachments

untitled -[l] Ok [texthtm l] download | view

MQS10100716dth 175 k [ applicationoctet-stream ] download

10)0o

NoMOSpOL125190 October 10 2007

From Indernbassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

AS(BRS) from Minister (Pol)

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

Q u o teUnofficial translation

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of

September 20o7 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22laquod of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

For official use only

1

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

Moscow 01st October 2007

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Minister (Political)

No64682DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and

the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 da ted the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

In add ition to the Note o f the M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion No 429 5 2D A dated the 22 nd o f June 2007 in form tha t docum ents from R ussian a rch ives w ere subm itted e xc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the

the Com m issionAfor investiga tion o f N eta jee S ubhas C handra B ose d isappea rance d e ta iis ^s ta b lis h e d by the G ove rnm en t o f IndiaD

p TU-Indian c itizen m en tioned in the Note o f the E m bassy has ^ f fg h t th rough the E m b a s sy tfo request and to fee- get to k n o w ^ a te r ia ls depos ited in Federa l and S ta te A rch ives o f the R ussian F ede ra tion w ith the perm iss ion o f its authorities

The M in is try ava ils th is opportun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest conside ra tion

M oscow 01st O ctober 2007

A ppend ix N ote N o4295 2D A

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

ampJk i A

lAK i

M

bull J U h J t ^ J JLflJ L (L S U s ^ S u (jrcopywO ^ (V|Pj iVv ^ |0]laquo f 1 r i r I - r r J I - 1Olgt-^ |1 CJ |ltg fkiiXn

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P o c c h h c k o h O e^epa iiH H JVe 4 2 9 5 2 ^ A o t 2 2 h ioh h 2 0 0 7 r o ^ a

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No42952DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and quo ting the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 dated the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

D ocum ents from R ussian a rch ives m entioned in the N ote o f the E m bassy w ere subm itted in particu lar in June 2001 exc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the use by the C om m iss ion fo r inves tiga tion o f N e ta jee S ubhas C handra Bose d isappea rance deta ils estab lished by the G ove rnm en t o f India

W e a lso in form tha t the access to Federa l and S ta te A rch ive s o f the R ussian Federa tion is a llow ed w ith the perm iss ion o f Federa l a rch ives A g en cy (R osarch ives) the read ing in read ing room s o f concre te a rch ives w ith th e perm ission o f a rch ives s truc tu res au tho rities o f co rrespond ing bod ies on the basis o f appea l o f E m bassies sc ien tific research ins titu tes and pub lic o rgan iza tions

The M in is try ava ils th is oppo rtun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest considera tion

M oscow 02nd June 2007

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

MHHHCTepcTBO PiHocTpaHHbix 0eji Pocchhckoh

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No SA8907 ot 17 Mah 2007 rofla HMeeT qecrb coo6ihhtigt

cjreiyiomee

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Be^oMCTBeHHbix apxHBOB - c pa3pemeHHH pyKOBO^cTBa

apXHBHbIX CTpyKTyp COOTBeTCTByK)mHX Be^OMCTB no npHMOMy

oSpameHHK) nocojibCTB HayHHo-HccjiextoBaTejibCKHX

nOCOJIbCTBY PECnYBJIHKH HHffHH

rMocKBa

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M ocKBaWo I S P

NoSA17307

gt v

TRcT ltTv5f rram TTWTEMBASSY OF INDIA

MOSCOWriOCOIbCTBO HhaMM

MocKBa

18 September 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure of entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

J rThe Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent

vdeg a u th o r ity (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sidersquos view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set

^ up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji V A Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not

^ disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if suchaterial could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry it

could be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissionrsquos work is over Thecompetent authority is of the opinion that the material in question could be disclosed

W ^ deg the Appellant They further advised the Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi to formal clearance for the disclosure of the entire material on the above subject

J ^ ^ ^ f r o r y ^ e ^ i l i s s i a n side

- esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure of the above material maylease be communicated to this Mission at an early date

-

f

mbassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to tfte ^ in ijP r^W f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ^ of the Russian F e d e r ^ J ^(2nd Asia Department) 4 - 1 ^ gt i Csy~~~ aM o s c o w 1

6-8 yn BopoHUOBO rioie 131940 r MocKBa

Ten 007-095-783-75-35 007-095-783-75-34

wwwindianembassyru

tjgt2 t 007-095-916-36- 3 2 007-095-975-23-37

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR

JS(WelampInf) amp Central Public Information Officer has forwarded u s the CIC decision with request to initiate action in accordance with p a ra -13 th e Information Commission is all for disclosure of the material The CIC does not see any reason why the m aterial should not be disclosed now to any researcher since the Justice Mukherjee Commissionrsquos work is over Accordingly it has advised the Ministry of External Affairs to seek the formal clearance from the Russian authorities in the m atter

2 DCMrsquos last comm unication with JS(ERS) was made on 4th July 2007 DCM had forwarded the translation of the note verbale received from the Russian Foreign Office

3 In the light of above we may again send a note verbale to the Foreign Office in accordance with p a ra -13 of the CIC decision

Subm itted please

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

Sept 13 2007

NoSA17307 $ September 2007

The Embassy o f India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure o f entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

The Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent authority (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sides view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if such material could be made available to the Justice Mukheerjee Commission for inquiry they see no reason why-thisO material should iw k be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissions work is over The competent authority is of the ifem opinion that the material in question should be disclosed to the Appellant They further advised the Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi to obtain formal clearance for the disclosure o f the entire material on the above subject from the Russian side

The esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure o f the above material may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2nd Asia Department) Moscow

No R TI5517606 Ministry o f External Affairs

(RTI Division)

Subject - Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

Please find enclosed herewith Central Information Com m issionrsquos decision NoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar o f New Delhi

2 It is requested that necessary action may please be initiated in accordance with para-13 o f the CIC decision

EnclAs above

JS (Eiirasia)

(AiC Nag) Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer22-08-2007

mdash o j^ VxkxraquoA

OJLgt ^

J amp u - cVjl_JL bull

X k ~ Ajo-vyWpound

(XaA

- e j

(e-US)

V mdash j ^ bull

S c

X H bull ( 0 r h

gf if raquofn2(gt0Dy N o pound 3 amp RTI D1V200gt

Central Information Commission ilaquoWDlaquoted4i^USd|ampL~

sect $ I| | i yyNoCICOKA200600671

Dated 10 August 2007

Name of the Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar263 Kangra NiketanVikaspuri New Delhi - 110 018

Name of the Public Authority Ministry of External Affairs

Background

Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi filed an application with the PIO Ministry of

External Affairs on 2 August 2006 for seeking certified copies of the complete

correspondence the Ministry of External Affairs had with the Governments of

the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash

Chandra Bose

2 The PIO vide his letter dated 25 August 2006 informed the Appellant that

the request to the Government of USSR and the Russian Federation were made

through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels The PiO also stated that the

requisite copies of the correspondence could not be disclosed at it involves the

relations with a foreign State and so was exempt from disclosure as per the

provisions of Clause 8(1 )(a)amp(f) of the RTI Act

3 Dissatisfied with the reply of the PIO the Appellant filed an appeal with

the first Appellate Authority on 23 September 2006 who vide his letter dated 6

November 2006 again denied disclosure of the documents taking recourse to the

Section 8(1 )(a) and (i) The bench of Dr OP Kejariwal Information

mmissioner heard the matter on 23 March 2007

4 The main stand of the Respondents to the information sought by the

Appellant which is regarding the correspondence between India and the

Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia was that this

information could not be disclosed as it was likely to affect the countryrsquos

relationship with another State On making enquiries from the Respondents it

was clear that this correspondence had neither been seen nor been examined

by an expert to come to such a conclusion Therefore the Commission felt

that the Applicantrsquos application had been treated casually

5 The Commission then directed the Respondents to first have this

correspondence examined by their own experts and if need be by an outside

expert who they could rely on and then take a firm decision In case the

experts came to the conclusion that the applicability of the denial clause was

not relevant in the case the material could be disclosed to the Appellant

However in case the Respondents came to the conclusion that the relations

between the Governments of india and Russia would be affected through the

disclosure of this information the Commission would like the issue to be

settled only after a reference had been made to the Government of Russia

6 The matter was taken up for a second hearing by the bench of Dr OP

Kejariwal Information Commissioner on 10 August 2007

7 Shri AK Naag Joint Secretary (Inf amp Wei) amp CPIO and Shri Nand

Kishore Under Secretary (RTI) represented the Respondents

8 The Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar was present in person

Decision

9 The Commission heard both the sides During the hearing the

Respondents stated before the Commission that they had received a response

from the Government of the Russian Federation Moscow in pursuance of the

Commissionrsquos earlier Order in the matter dated 23 March 2007

10 This letter stated ldquoaccording to the correspondence received from the

Embassy of India Moscow the Russian Foreign Office has stated that the

documents handed over by them in June 2001 were meant only for the GOIrsquos

official use and for the work of the Commission in investigations into the

disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo

11 During the hearing the Appellant stated that his request included the

entire correspondence between the Governments of India and the USSR

regarding nf NPtajirsquos disappearance The Commission accepted this

request and directed the Respondents to clearly mention this while seeking the

approval of the Russian authorities for disclosure of this material

12 Also during the hearing the Appellant made a plea for a copy of the

letter received by the Ministry of External Affairs resulting from the application

that he had made on the issue The Commission saw no objection in this

request and directs the Respondents to supply a copy of this letter to the

Appellant

13 The Commission further feels that if the material could be made

available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the

disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be

disclosed now to any Researcher now that that Commissionrsquos work is over The

information Commission therefore is all for disclosure of this material to the

Appellant However it advises the Ministry of External Affairs to seek a formal------ ------ - _ ____________ ___

clearance from the Russian Authorities in the matter

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110018

Shri AK Nag Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) a Central Public Information Officer Room No 207 Akbar Bhawan Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110021

3 Shri Ajay Choudhary Additional Secretary amp Appellate Authority Room No 144 C South Block Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110011

4 Officer Incharge NSC

5 Press E Group CIC

(OP Kejariwal) Information Commissioner

Cc

The Statesman

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17 August 2007

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01

[ India ]-

Netaji filesrsquo disclosure ordered

New Delhi Aug 16 The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the external affairs ministry to disclose its correspondence with the erstwhile USSR over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra BoseldquoThe Commission feels that if the material could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be disclosed to any researcher nowrdquo information commissioner Mr OP Kejariwal saidThe Commission made this observation while hearing Mission Netajirsquos plea for certified copies of the complete correspondence between India and the USSR over Netajirsquos disappearance in 1945 The CIC in its decision relied on a letter from officials in Moscow that said the documents which were handed over to India were meant for ldquoofficial use and for the work o f the Mukherjee Commission n PTI

Discussion on this Ind ia itemDisclaimer These are Internet generated discussion threads for which the The Statesman has no responsibilityNo discussions on this item

t o P os

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Usernar

Passwo

New

9 fM raquo f -

m m m m

O ther India

Cabinet nod to new farm scheme

Q case CBI m ay cancel notice

Thaw in Left-UPA ties

Keshubhai joins rebels

http wwwthestatesmannetpagenewsphpclid=2amptheme=ampusrsess=lampid=l 66383 8172007

N o f j j M j l J X K

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raquo

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR and noting of FS(Pol) thereon

2 It seems the Russian Foreign Office does not want to add anything beyond what they have already pu t in the note verbale of Ju n e 22 2007 However if the said note verbale is read together with the bilateral Agreement of 2000 it becomes clear th a t there is no bar oft supplying confidential information to persons asking for the sam e According to Article 3b ot the Agreement decisions to hand over particular classified information shall be taken by the Parties on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the laws of their States

3 Moreover as a scrutiny of the correspondences between the SovietRussian and Indian sides shows they do not contain any sensitive information All the correspondences convey the result of the search in the Russian Archives Perhaps tha t is why JS(CNV) was inclined to suggest the disclosure of the correspondences

4 Given my positive view on the m atter for disclosure of the correspondences I would however like to propose tha t the Ministry may be sent a copy of the note verbale received from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to take into cognizance of the Agreement of 2000 before taking any final decision on the m atter If needed LampT Division in the Ministry may also be consulted

Subm itted please

(r

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

July 3 2007

No 42952DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation and in reference to the Note SA8907 dated 17th May 2007 has honour to inform the following -

The documents from Russian archives referred to in the Embassyrsquos note in particular handed over in June 2001 for official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set up by it for the investigation of circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

cm)

a

W e further inform that the access to materials belong to federal and state archives of the Russian Federation is given with the consent of Federal Agency of Achieves (Rosarchiv) and permission to work in reading halls of agency archives is given by authorities of archives belong to concerned agencies on direct requests by embassies scientific amp research institutions and social organizations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation assurances of its highest consideration

^ ft o j L (vLoo jP xjlJ~plt~ Moscow 22 June 2007

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T his is w ith reference to m y le tter no 11 J S (E R S)2007 d a ted April 20 2007 regard ing a req u e s t m ade u n d e r ldquoRight to in form ationrdquo (copy enclosed for ready reference) It is req u ested th a t th e R u ssian s id e rsquos resp o n se m ay kindly be in tim ated^atjan early da te ^ ^

rajj-vMaaS

Y ours sincerely

(Dr J Bhagwati

X ^h ri D ivyabh M an ch an d a D eputy C hief of M ission E m bassy of Ind ia Moscow

Copy to

AS(PP) JS(CNV)

(Dr J Bhagwati)

No 11 JS (E R S ) 2 0 0 7

Deari

Please refer to AS (PP) an d Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 M arch 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence betw een the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra B osersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E u rasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm w ith the R ussian side w hether they would have any objection to release of correspondence received from them on th is subject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos response m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

S d -(Dr J Bhagwati)

Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) A^(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

S

20 April 2007h

( Dr J Bhagwati )

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tel 7837535 Fax 9752337

NoSA8907 17 May 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 2YuA dated 8 January 1992 and subsequent correspondence (viz No 73YuA dated 27 October 1995 N 547 dated 20 March 1997 19073DA dated 20 March 2003 and 59542DA dated 6 October 2004) including a letter from Ambassador Yu Kutov regarding information about the reported stay of a former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

An Indian citizen had filed a petition under the Right to Information Act 2005 for obtaining all informationdocuments relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The information obtained from the Russian side was denied to the appellant at that time

^Thereupon an appeal was filed by the concerned citizen and currently the V Government of India is considering whether the informationdocuments

-t obtained from Russian authorities on the subject could be released toappellant Views of the Russian side whether the information provided by

( them could be released to the appellant would be essential for the^ f Government of India to take decision on the matter

The esteemed Ministryrsquos views on the matter may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the

s of its highest consideration

f V Ministry of Foreign AffairsL o f the Russian Federation

cr - A sia Department) ^V ^^(V io sco w

A V

Ministry o f External Affairs South Block N ew D elh i-110 011 Mail jsers m eagovinMail jsers m ea Phone 23017411

i]r

Phone 23017411 PhFax 23011922

S e c r e t

No H JS (E R S )2007

Dear L b ]

Please refer to AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence between the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra Bosersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E urasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm with the R ussian side w hether they would have

amp any objection to release of correspondence received from them on thissubject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos re~sponse m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

^Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) AS(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

( Dr J B hagw ati)

V

V No^5AS(PP)2007

Right to Inform atioi Timt

Most Im

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)rsquos Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Inform ation Act 2 005

Shri Anuj Dhar had initially requested this Ministry last year requesting form information on the following two points-

1 Certified copies of complete correspondence the MEA has had with the Governments o f the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

2 Confirmation on whether the Ministry had sought information from the erstwhile Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation by merely issuing Notes Verbale or some serious efforts were ever made at a higher (say Ministerial) level to uncover the mystery surrounding the fate of Netaji

filed an appeal with the CIC The appeal was considered by the CIC on 23 March 2007 The CIC has directed that the Ministry should have the documents under reference carefully examined by a panel of experts to determine whether the information sought by the applicant can be given or not

While we have not received the final decision of the Commission this would a time-bound exercise and it is therefore requested that JS(CNV) may please make the records available to me for a preliminary examination so that expeditious action can be taken on receipt of the formal decision of the CIC

The information was denied to Shri Dhar by this Ministry whereupon he

(AjAdditional Secretary (PP) fit

Appellate Authority (RTI) 28 March 2007

JS(CNV)

Copy forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with the request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me as soon as possible

o f iHC-ifl no 3 20 HOO bull rsquobull bullP

vrrwr 5fn tnrvtEMBASSY OF IN D IA

6-0 Ulitsa Obukha M O S C O W

Tel No 237-0820

t t v

Septe mb er 16 1991

The Embassy of I nd ia presents its compli me nt s to the Mi nistry of For ei gn Aff ai rs of the USSR and has the ho nour to enclose her ew it h a c o ll ect io n opound documents or NetSji S ub ha sh C h an d ra B o s e at one time a President of the Ind-ior N at io na l C o n g r e s s and a leading fig are in ths Indian freedom movement received from H r _ Ch it ts S s s u M em b er of P ar l ia m en t and Gene ra l Secretary All r d i a Forward Bloc a group founded by Meta ji Subhas-i X h 3 n d r a Fgt = $ e ord at present a c o n s t it ue n t of tne Left Front G o v e r n shyment in the Indian state of West Bengal

2 In these d o c u me n ts there are su ggestions quotingthe then Soviet A m b a s s a d o r in Kabul and the Soviet Vice Consu l in T e h er an to the effect that Netaji Subhash Chandra

itighr have found his way to the Soviet Union after the alleged ae ro p la n e cr as h in August 1 9 A 5 As recently as March 5 I990 The H i n d u s t a n Time an Indian daili n e w s p a p e r quoted a scholar of the Soviet Institute if Or ie nt al S t ud ie s to the effect t h a t there are t c S o v i e t sc ho la rs who have applied to tne Covernen-c of the US Sr for pe rm is si on to e xa min e cla ss if ie d documents

3- In the light of the current policy on Soviet nationala r ch i ve s the Embassy of India would appreciate if an rate- rial that sheds light on the fate of Netaji Subhush Chandra Dose in the a rch iv es of S ov ie t or ga nisations including s ec u r i t y o r g a ni s at io ns is made available to the Embassy of India

A The Ere bossy of India n vails itself of this opportunityto renew to the M i n s t r y of Foreign Affairs of the USSH the a s s u r a n c e s of its highest c on si deration

Seal

M i n i t r y of Foreign Af fa ir s Covernment of USSRM o s c o bullgt

E rc 1 a s a b o v e

if nI

(rough translation)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation

No ZAuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that according to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no information whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow8 January 1992

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

trrlter r_ EM B A S S Y OF INDIA6-8 Ulitsa Voiomsovo Polyo

N o S A 8 3 9 5 July 27 19SS

The Embassy of India presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to correspondence resting with their Note Verbaie No 2YuA of S January 15S2 regarding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Enclosed is a booklet which contends that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may have come to the former Soviet Union in 1945 There has teen further speculation in this context reportedly on the basis of archival materials In view of this it would be highly appreciated if ail materials available on the subject couid be examined for a final determination on whether or not Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose entered or stayed anywhere in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 or subsequently

The Embassy of India avails itself of tnis opportunity to renew to tne Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration - bull -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (South Asia Department) Moscow

v

(Unofficial T ransl

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

73YuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central Archival Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents^of Modern History no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to

renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 1995

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1995 Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years W e have now been informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory otthe former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador Kotov forwarding the note categorically asserts th a t we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soilrdquo and that extensive research can hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovrsquos letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

2 I would like you to please bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

(Pripuran Singh Haer)

0 M0 5 F f l I I 0 bull rsquo 1 ~ 6 C

Pripuran Singh Haer Charge dAffaires

MOSPOL125190

r o h o11 bull i bull r o j o o r i

trn s laquoPi j a r m rrcsl p - igt llsquo7EM B A S S Y OF INDIA

6-8 U l iu a Votomsovo PolyM O S C O W

Tel No S i 7-CS20 Tolex 413409 INDEMSU

Tgts Fa bullbull-9 3

October 31 19S5

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1SSS Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years We have now bee informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1595 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is nc

s informatcn whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory cf the formeSoviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador

ji Kotov forwarcing the note categorically asserts that we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soil and that extensive research can

1 hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovsbullvu letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

v jf2 1 wouid iike you to piesse bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

kt (Pripuran Singh Haer)

Shri R L Narayan Joint Secretary (EE) Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi

diams i iL Mr Ror on Sen Arnba ssador of Ind ia to th e R u s s i a n F e d e r a t i o n

D e a r R o n e n

E n c lo sed Y o u will find o u r no te c o n c e rn in g S u b h a sh C h a n d ra

Bose D o bel ieve th a t we have t r ied o u r best to discover any relevant

I actsU n f o r tu n a te ly I a m p ro fo u n d ly d is t ressed being u n a b le to provide

t any posi t ive in f o r m a t i o n on th e subject o f no t th e least im p o r t a n c e for

the In d ia n public Alas by now it a p p e a r s that we can be su re tha t Netnj has neve r set foot o n th e R u ss ia n soil Extensive re sea rch car r ied out

u p o n th e latest r eq u es t o f Y o u r s can h a rd ly leave any d oub ts to lhgt

effect

S in ce re ly Y ours Y a K o t o v

w

r lt W 3 lt tfr s t pound 2 3 i

Intervention by H EM rAnatoly MDrukov Ambassador of Russia in India during the

eress-conference on the 210296 in le Foreign Correspondentsrsquo Club__________

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is

deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people

who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73Y uA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

inform ation on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

m uch em otion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

j i

gt J -

i

Directorate of Foreign Relatilt Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

March 20 1997

N 547

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to you and has the honour to forward herewith the letter of Mr L Joychandra Singh addressed a second time to the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

In reply to this repeated query the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence (CAMD) of the Russian Federation has pointed out that there is no other data relating to the fate of Subhash Chandra Bose besides the information conveyed to you vide letter No1843 dated October 28 1996 (enclosing No222672 of the CAMD)

We request you to kindly inform Mr L Joychandra Singh of the above reply from the Archives

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Military Wing of the Embassy of India in Moscow the assurances of its highest consideration

Military Attache in the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation

Brig D Singh

No 19073DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federations presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassyrsquos note verbale No SA 1003 dated 8 January 2003 and the Ministryrsquos note verbale No 1423DA dated 28 June 2001 has the honour to inform you about the following

A search was conducted for documents related to the fate ofSCBose in the following federal archives

Russian State Military Archive (RGVA) Russian State Archives of Socio-Political History (RGASPI) State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) and Russian State Historical Archives of the Far East (RGIA DV) The information requested for was not found in the GARF RGVA and RGIA DV archives

Copies of the documents found in the RGIA DV Archives were sent to the Embassy in 2001

No information has been found about the fate of SC Bose in the Central Archives of the Russian FSB the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in the m anuscript section of the Russian State Library or in the Russian State Archives of Photographic Documents (RGAKFD)

We would also like to inform th a t the personnel archives of Eva Yakovlevna Lyusternik were sent after her death to the Russian Academy of Sciencesrsquo Institute of Oriental Studies and the open part of the archival m aterial on IV Stalin was sent from the archives of the President of the Russian Federation to RGASPI

The Ministry would like to use th is opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

M inistry of Foreign AtlairsR u ssian F ed eratio n

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Moscow 20th March 2003

^ M la iet ja Affaireo f the deration

No S 9 5 4 2 A A

The M inistry of Foreign Affairs of th e R ussian Federation p resen ts its com plim ents to the Em bassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and in continuation of Note No 55382XA dated Septem ber 14 2004 h as the honour to intorm th a t Information sought on the fate of Ind iarsquos p rom inent political figure Netaji S u b h ash C hand ra Bose was no t found in the C entral Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia

The M inistry avails of th is opportun ity to renew to the Em bassy the a ssu ra n ce s of its highest consideration

M oscow October 6 2004

E m bassy o f th e Republic o f India M oscow -

Ministry o f External Affairs CNV Division

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Information Act

Reference note at FR from AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) regarding CICrsquos directives on appeal by Shri Anuj Dhar who was denied information requested concerning disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his whereabouts in the former USSRRussia i f any

2 Vide letter o f 020806 at FA Shri Dhar had requested for (a) certified copies o f complete correspondence between MEA and the Government o f USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referring to Our Embassyrsquos intervention with the Russian MFA in 199219951997 2001 and 2003 and (b) whether MEA sought information from the Russian side in a routine manner through issue o f Note Verbales or some serious efforts were made at a higher level

3 Vide issue o f 250806 at FB CPIO on the basis o f inputs from CNV Division replied to Shri Dhar conveying that (a) requests to the Governments o f the USSRRussia were made through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels and (b) requisite copies o f the correspondence sought cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under provisions of Clause 8(l)(a)amp (f) o f the RTI Act Under Clause8(1)(a) there is noobligation to give any citizen information disclosure o f which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity o f India the security strategic scientific or economic interests o f the State relation with foreign State or lead to incitement o f an offence Under Clause 8(l)(f) there is no obligation to give ldquoinformation received in confidence from foreign governmentrdquo

4 Shri Dhar vide his letter o f 230906 at FC had appealed to then Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) on the ground that the reasons given by the CPIO denying him the information aslced for are untenable With regard to the intervention with the USSRRussian Government for information on Netajirsquos disappearance Shri Dhar seeks to know if this matter was pursued at a higher (say Ministerial) level Regarding Ministryrsquos resort to Clause 8(l)(a) Shri Dhar wrote that this is not intelligible to him as to how correspondence dealing with the disappearance o f a national hero can be threat to India or its relations with USSR which does not exist and has been disowned by the successor state o f the Russian Federation He has also questioned as to why information received in this matter o f national importance should be confidential In response to the appeal C lW Division has conveyed to JS (Inf) and CPIO vide its note dated 011106 at FD that (a) the information sought for by Shri Dhar ie whether serious efforts were made with interventions at higher levels with the Russian Government to seek information on Netajirsquos disappearance does not constitute ldquoinformationrdquo as defined in the RTI Act and the question is anecdotal in nature and (b) that copies o f correspondence cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under the relevant clauses in the RTI Act Though there is no evidence on this NGO file it is our understanding that these views were conveyed by the Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) to Shri Dhar Presumably what was meant was that Shri Dhar was seeking the opinion o f the MEA as to whether the efforts made by GOl in its interventions with the Russian Government were serious or just routinely taken up Since such lsquoopinionrsquo is not covered under Clause 1(0 hence it cannot be construed as lsquoinformationrsquo

6 The undersigned has gone through all available records in NGO Section pertaining to correspondence with the USSRRussian Governments seeking information on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose In particular attention is drawn to a note recorded in December 1998 at FE on linked file giving the chronological background to suchcorrespondence starting from May 1990 in the Note for Supplementaries prepared for Rajya Sabha Starred Question No 174 for answer on 101298 dealing with the Asiatic Societyrsquos request for access to Russian archives It may also be seen from the attached

A

Anticipated Questions and their Answersrsquo that Ministry was willing to disclose the contents o f the Note Verbale received from the Russian Government in response to IUdiaji demarches regarding information on Netaji on the floor o f the House There is no i available on NGO files to indicate if such information was in fact disclosed on the flooi o f the House when the PQ was answered However the point to note is Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose such information As per the last line under Clause 8 o f RTI Act ldquoinformation which cannot be denied to the Parliament or the State legislature shall not be denied to any personrdquo Therefore if such information has already been disclosed on the floor o f the House or even by virtue o f Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose we may no deny such information requested by Shri Anuj Dhar

7 Chronologically the correspondence copies available on file and linked files and sought by Shri Dhar are listed as under

(a) NV No Nil dated 160991 from EI Moscow to MFA USSR Government at FF on linked file

(b) NV No 2YuA dated 080192 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at -FGv -- bullbullbulllaquo mdash bullbull

(c) NV No SA8395 dated 270795 from EI M oscow to MFA Russian Government at FH on linked file

(d) NV No 73YuA dated 271095 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at FI

(e) DO letter from CDA EI Moscow enclosing Amb Kotovrsquos letter to Amb Ronen Sen at FJ on linked file

(f) Record o f intervention by Russian Ambassador to India at a press IK lrsquo ltonffirericebnrsquo2i0296 at FK on linked file

(g) NV No N547 dated 200397 from Russian Defence Ministry to EI Moscow at FL

(h) NV No 19073DA dated 200303 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow aft FM and

(k) NV No 59542DA dated 061004 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow 4 FN

8 A perusaldf the available correspondence shows the continuous effort made by the Ministry through the Embassy in Moscow to obtain information available i f any on Netajirsquos whereabouts in Russia It also shows that such effort was made at very high levels even through correspondence between the Indian Ambassador to Russia and his Russian counterpart One such correspondence is even addressed to a private Indian citizen in Manipur and the same has been passed on to him by our Embassy in Moscow There is no evidence to suggest that such correspondence was received in confidence an not to be disclosed However it would be beyond the competence o f CNV Division to make such a judgment merely on perusal ofthe filesrecords available in NGO SectionAS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) may like to consult Eurasia Division and Embassy o f India Moscow on whether disclosure o f such information under RTI woulc be detrimental to bilateral relations

J)(Debnath ShaiO

X At Wi bull JS (CNV)09 April 20f)7

AS fPP) amp Aeffellate Authority TRTI)

fet L 0 k f t t U a k k f c v J y -TI 4 i t i

cn v w et oA 2 4 JhV oW ei w ttC a

i CIC c h t tfcVe (jEuTA4-IAJ jrteaitcrj At-jKCdh-al tjyin cm Mm+cpL

I M i i ) J L j i t

j J 7

i

-r-

31

FAXTo AS(PP)

MEA New Delhi Fax 91-11-23013387

From First Secretary (Pol) Indembassy Moscow

Rpti) DS[Russia] MEA

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tele 007-495-9163544 Fax 007- 495-9163632

With reference to DS[Russia]rsquos message regarding AS[PP]rsquos note to JS[CNV] No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 9 April 2007 on an appeal filed under No RTI act 2005

2 Please find faxed herewith currently available few copies of this Missionrsquos correspondence with local authorities on the subject We will send more m aterial if available by the earliest diplomatic bag

U ) U v tcrv-4 j

(Dr Suresh Babu) FS [Pol]

13042007

A

- P O C C H H C K A fl A K M E M H H HAYK ^

H H C T H T Y T B O C T O K O B E ^ E H H J I

___________ JV2 ____________________

H a JVs_____________________________ T To 1Justice Mukherji

Commission o f Inquiry M irza Ghalib Street

Kolkata

Dear Sir

This is to inform you that as per your request we have checked the Private

Archive o f Prof EYaLustemic in the Indian Center o f the Institute of Oriental

Studies Russian Academy o f Sciences Moscow

We regret to inform you that there is no document on Subash Chandra Bose

With sincere regards

(Shaumian TLHead the Indian Center o f the Institute o f Oriental Studies

Russian Academy o f SciencesM oscow)

26092005

l0303l(Plttgt CHO 103753 (MeacflyHapoflHbiH) MocKBa T C n yji PoxcnecTBeHKa12 Ten (095)921-1884 (095)925-6461 Oaicc (095)975-2396 E-mail ivran orcru

In contrast to Indian National Congress Bose and his activists basically counted on armed struggle and open cooperation against enemies of England - Germany Italy and Japan Bose dreamed about freedom for India through crushing defeat of Britain Bose could not do it himself so he linked activity of his troops and groups with assault of Germany on India from the West and Japan from the East The aim of Bose was to expedite the assault in all possible ways and reinforce it from inside by subversive Anti-English activity in India and if possible to attached nature o f mass anti-British revolt However at that time not all people considered his activity as ldquosubversiverdquo Fascism was not so popular in India at that time but racism and violence were condemned everywhere A lot of Indians were satisfied with telling blows delivered hateful center o f empire by axis countries in particular against the background of British demonstrative nonshyrecognition of Indian rights for self-determination J Nehru wrote about this period How can we conciliate two basic directions of our policy - opposition to British imperialism and opposition to fascism and nazism How can we adjust our nationalism with our internationalism That was a difficult question for us taking in view current situation However this question would not be difficult if the British Government take a step to show us its refusal from imperialistic policy in India and rely on peoplersquos good willrdquo

But it did not happen Indian public reacted accordingly Describing the psychological atmosphere in the country that time Jawaharlal Nehru wrote ldquoPeople were pushing out not by patriotic feelings but by their willingness to save themselves from an offense and the worstrdquo

So S Bose did not have any mass support but he could use the mood of majority for his own purposes Nehru wrote about it the following ldquoProtection of the imperialism which we were fighting with for such a long time seemed to be non-sense and impossible to usrdquo

Unofficial translation

ldquoMatsottardquo is obtaining Soviet visa

Instructions were really complicated It was necessary to send Subhas Chandra Bose to Germany He was wanted by Britain secret service colonial Administration and local police throughout India Bose was staunch and irreconcilable adversary of Great Britain and may be the most dangerous one at that time

Extracts of the book whiten by Yuri L Kuznets ldquoMarauders are quitting the gamerdquo

Published in 1992 by ldquoInterprakstrdquo Moscow

Of course Bose made his main counting on the military defeat of England at the time when Hitlerrsquos Germany had been already at the war with it and Japan was still neutral So Bose was interested in Berlin When Japan occupied Burma and came close to the Indiarsquos borders Bose reoriented to the Far East

In spring 1941 his ways crossed with Bhagat Ram Bose decided to shift from India to Berlin because some of his friends and relatives were arrested in India and he by himself also was wanted He needed Hitlerrsquos support including financial one Ports we under police control and departure trough one of them was very risky Bose took another way and in February came to Kabul He was accompanied by Bhagat Ram who was not a member o f Bosersquos organization he did not like axis-members but he was posted as Bosersquos escort by his party ldquoKirti Kissanrdquo because o f his knowledge of Phushtun zone which they had to cross as well as Afghanistan and Kabul He also had his own flat in Kabul - the premises which belonged to Ultam Chang and his shop It was supposed that Ram was doing a favour to Bose only due to their common aim - to weak British positions in India at most

Ram fulfilled his task Bose settled down in Kabul and started to make arrangements for the next step of his journey During war time he could come to Germany only through the territory o f USSR For this purpose he required a passport which he did not have German Embassy applied to the Italian one Italians considered the German request positively Bose got passport in respect of Italian citizen Mazzotta Holding this passport Bose applied to the Soviet Embassy for transit visa crossed the USSR territory and came to Berlin

Mazzotta disappeared But German Consulate General drew attention to Bhagat Ram who was introduced as a powerful Indian activist in Afghanistan and India with anti-British orientation It was o f interest and he was suggested to work for the German Secret Service German resident was satisfied with Ramrsquos past his contacts and mood especially because he was concerned about difficulties o f the anti-British activities in India shortage of agents and information as well as conspiratorial bases in India Bosersquos recommendation also helped Ram was thinking it would be important for me and my party to establish contacts with enemies of their enemies

Offer on co-operation was accepted Ram left German Consulate having 100 000 Indian Rupees in his pocket 12 guns and ballets Money and arms were required by the people whom Ram would be recruiting in India Since May 1941 after the German finished their checking Ram had become the main agent o f the German Secret Service in India

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337 Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 9 4 0 5 September 9 2005

The Em bassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Em bassyrsquos earlier Note Verbales on the visit of a delegation of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 20-30 2005 in connection with enquiring into the facts and circum stances relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

It is confirmed th a t all logistical arrangem ents for official JMCI delegation and the accompanying eight deponents would be facilitated by the Embassy with no financial implications to the Russian side

It would be appreciated if the decision of the esteemed Ministry on visas for the visiting team may kindly be expedited

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

Copy to Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

No 5830 2DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Notes No SA16605 of 08 August No SA17405 of 18 August and No SA17905 and No SA18005 of 26 August this year has the honour to inform as follows

Justice Mukherjee as a Head of the Delegation set up by the Government of India to inquire about life of Subhas Chandra Bose pertaining to the period from 1945 onwards as well as the accompanying delegation will be given access to the documents kept in the Reading Halls o f the Federal and State Archives of the Subjects o f the Russian Federation in Moscow St Petersburg Irkutsk and Omsk through the Federal Archives Agency of the Russian Federation All expenditures related to the arrangements for their visit air-passage accommodation transport and medical insurance etc should be borne by the Indian side The Federal Archive Agency requests to inform Mr MK Mukherjee of the addresses of Federal Archives given below

1 Russian State Archive for social and political history - 103 821 Moscow 15 B Dmitrovka Str Director - Kiril M Anderson Tel 229 97 26

2 Russian State Archive of Audio- Photo Documents - 143 400 Moscow Region Krasnogorsk 1 Rechnaya Str Director - Lyudmila P Zapryagaeva Tel 562 14 64 563 08 45

3 Russian State Archive for Phono Documents 105 005 Moscow3 2ya Baumanskaya Str Director - Vladimir A Kolyada Tel 261 13 00

4 Russian State Naval Archive - 191 186 St Perersburg 36 Millionnaya Str Director - Vladimir S Sobolev Tel (812)312 11 37

The Federal Archives Agency recommends the following for work with the documents o f

- Central State Archive of St Petersburg - to apply to St Petersburg Archives Committee (193 015 St Petersburg 39 Tavricheskaya Str) Chairman of the Committee - Mr Anatoly D Yashkov Tel (812) 271 44 55)

- State Archive of Omsk Region - to apply to the Archive Department of the Ministry for State and Legal Development o f Omsk Region Head - Ms Galina Yu Borodina (644 099 Omsk 1 Tretyakova Str) Tel (381-2) 25 57 26

- State Archive of Irkutsk Region - to apply to Archive Department of Irkutsk Region Head - Ms Nadezhda K Shestakova (664003 Irkutsk 36a Gorkogo Str) Tel (395-2) 24 06 42

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow ldquo 15 ldquo September 2005

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA Moscow

slvNon-paper

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9

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow___ Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337

Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 8 0 0 5 August 26 2005

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Embassyrsquos earlier communications regarding the visit of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 18-30 2005

By way of background information given below are the relevant details of JMCI -

(i) The Government o f India Ministry o f Home Affairs New Delhi vide a gazette notification No S 0339(B) dated 14th May 1999 appointed Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry for Inquiry into the Alleged Disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under Section (3) o f the Commission o f Inquiry Act o f 1952 (60 o f 1952)

(ii) As per this notification Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry shall inquire into all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945 and subsequent developments connected therewith including-(a) whether Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is dead or alive(b) I f he is dead whether he died in the plane crash as alleged(c) Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are the ashes o f Netaji(d) Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and if

so when and how(e) I f he is alive in respect o f his whereabouts

(iii) The Commission shall also examine the manner in which the exercise o f Scrutiny o f Publications touching upon the question o f death or otherwise on Netaji can be undertaken by the Central Government in the circumstances

(iv) Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry is funded by the Ministry o f Home Affairs Government o f India and is an official Commission

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

Copy to M inistry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV t J 001

A MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS (PP) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of material immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

Deputy Secretary (Russia) Ph 23015199 Intercom 2285

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

Dr T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

T c J i h irvMUt(SOMNATH GHOSH)

Deputy Secretary Ministry of External Affairs

New Deifci

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 1^1002

( t

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No R T I-2 pound _ A S (P P )2 0 0 7

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance_of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anufpfiar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) 6t

Appellate Authority (RTI) 09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

g^py forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - H W U(Ajal Choudhfy)

1 o 7

0 v

j N lsquoaA gt ^ 1 ^

04 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV

MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS-iEP-) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of matenal immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

D tpu ij u su ta i J iu J o ia JPh 23015199 Intercom 228S

D r T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

h i 7-

_100pound 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 002

Most Immediate

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No RTI-HiLAS(PP) 2007

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed bv Shri Anul Dhar under RTI 200S - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anurbhar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC ------ = = = = mdash

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) amp

Appellate Authority (RTI)09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

JZopy forwarded to JS(Eurasla) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - t t U X f (Ajal ChoudMfy)

k

Buff 43402

Square C u t Raider A4 434Made in London

Blue 43403 Green 43404 Grey 43405 Orange 43406 Pink 43407 Red 43408 Yellow 43409 Mauve 43414

Page 11: V ' . . . Disci* wi/K 0*s*/ - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ...

C o u n s e llo r (P o litic a l)

Pag o f 1

I f I

From d irers ltd ire rs m eagovingtltm inpo l ind ianem bassyrugt

~ent W ednesday S ep tem ber 03 2014 1113 AM Attach IM G pdf Subject S P A M ldquo RTI MOST IMMEDIATE

For Counsellor (Pol)

Enclosed please find an RTI application from Shri Murari Srivastava Advocate seeking information on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

It is requested that Missions inputs on Part 2 of the question raised in the RTI application may be sent to us at an early date

Regards

Pankaj Saxena Deputy Secretary (Eurasia) Ministry of External Affairs RoomNo235G South Block New Delhi-110 011 Tel 2301 4600

ltK

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p o litic a l d ip lo m a tic s o lu tio n H o w e v e r w e re fo c u s e d m ilita r i ly o n s t re n g th e n in g d e fe n s e o f o u r a llie s T h a t s o u r c o re ta s k R a s m u s s e n s a id b e fo re a m e e tin g w ith E U d e fe n s e m in is te rs

W e re r ig h t n o w c o n s id e r in g fu r th e r s te p s to s tre n g th e n o u r c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e A s I in d ic a te d th a t a ls o in c lu d e s w h a t I w o u ld ca ll a p p ro p r ia te d e p lo y m e n ts h e a d d e d c o m m e n tin g on th e c u rre n t a g e n d a

B u t its a b it to o e a r ly to g o in to d e ta ils a s to h o w w e w ill in c o n c re te te rm s s tre n g th e n c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e B u t no o n e s h o u ld d o u b t o u r d e te rm in a t io n to e n s u re in te n s iv e d e fe n s e a n d p ro te c tio n o f a ll a ll ie s R a s m u s s e n s ta te d w ith n o fu r th e r d e ta ils o n th e a ll ia n c e s p ro s p e c t iv e s tra te g y

S p e a k in g a t p r io r m e e tin g s th e S e c re ta ry -G e n e ra l a ls o v o ic e d c o n c e rn s a b o u t c la s h e s in e a s te rn U k ra in e b e tw e e n p ro - fe d e ra liz a t io n p ro te s te rs a n d fo rc e s lo y a l to th e g o v e rn m e n t c a llin g on R u s s ia to d e -e s c a la te th e c r is is a n d pu ll b a c k its la rg e n u m b e r o f tro o p s in c lu d in g s p e c ia l fo rc e s fro m th e a re a a ro u n d U k ra in e s b o rd e r w h ile w a rn in g th a t a n y fu r th e r R u s s ia n m ilita ry in te r fe re n c e w o u ld o n ly d e e p e n R u s s ia s in te rn a t io n a l is o la t io n

R u s s ia n F o re ig n M in is te r S e rg e i L a v ro v re je c te d W e s te rn a c c u s a t io n s th a t R u s s ia w a s b e h in d th e c r is is in s o u th e a s te rn U k ra in e s a y in g n e ith e r R u s s ia n s e c u r ity a g e n ts n o r s o ld ie rs h a v e b e e n d e p lo y e d to th e re g io n

T h e M in is try s a id th a t N A T O is a tte m p tin g to u s e th e U k ra in ia n c r is is a s an im a g in a ry th re a t to u n ite th e a ll ia n c e s m e m b e rs p u s h in g fo r R u s s ia s is o la t io n

Updated headline quote in paras 2 3

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Tel 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u s rs m e a g o v in

WI (AD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u F S (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P lease find a ttached a self-exp lanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f Subhash C hand ra Bose u n d er the R T I Act for kind necessary action a t your end

ahul S hrivastava) U n d er S ecre tary 7 Janu ary 2 0 0 8

No RTI5517606Ministry of External Affairs

( RTI Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquos note WI (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content of the note was conveyed to the Information Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government of

j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russian 1 Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the National

Achieve o f India

We have received a communication to this effect from the CIC which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(AK Nag) JS (Wei amp Inf) amp CPIO

December 18 2007

In fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r

gt O P KEJARIWAL fe laquoft-110067 B lo ck-IV 5 th F lo o r O ld JN U C a m p u s

N e w D e lh i-1 1 0 0 6 7 T ele fax 26717351

C entra In fo rm a t io n C o m m is s io n

November 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T I5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian Governm ent for disclosure of the N eta ji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar We have now received a le tte r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N eta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portan t from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere ind iv idualrsquos in terest He suggests and reuests therefore that this m ateria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India from abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m a tte r t h erefore is pursued w ith the I Russian G overnm ent so th a t w hatever m ateriah s o f va lue a nd in te rest to India m ay com e to us especially in the present case

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) Ministry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

Yours sincerely

(OP Kejariw al)

To 26 November 2007

Dr OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner Central Information Commission Old JNU Campus New Delhi - 110067

Subject R eq u est to Ind ian Errbassy to procure p ost-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian arch ives

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter NoR TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2007 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision N oC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made v this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the

Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Embassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

i

2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing ruies or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at times provide information A request from the Embassy of India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

^ would not yvant this exercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant records are identified the Embassy may procure them for the National Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India

since they are likely to provide a never befc 3 insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world w a r for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n L ____2 63 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mayzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez iden ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)[A rch ive o f the P res id en t o f the R uss ian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lsk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606-13-33 Fax (495 ) 606 -19 -66

2 Is to riko-dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del R F (ID D M ID) [H is torico-D ocum enta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in is try o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o lenska ia -S enna ia p loshchad 3234 Tel (495) 244-32-19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i po litik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (A V P RF)[A rch ive o f Fore ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241-04-80

4 Tsen tra lrsquonyi a rkh iv M in is te rs tva o bo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f D e fense]142100 M oskovskaia ob las t P odo lrsquosk ul K irova 74 Tel (495) 715-90-05 (0967) 54-00-03

5 G lavno je R azvedyva te lno je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilitary In te lligence D irecto ra te arch ives Address not know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 TsentraPnyi a rkh iv Federa lno i s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (TsA FSB R ossjj)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F edera l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzhby vneshne i razvedki RF (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)[O perational A rch ive o f the Fore ign In te lligence S erv ice ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 5110Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 245 -33 -68 Fax (495) 247-05-29

8 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (TsA M VD R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In te rna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovocherem ushk inska ia 67 (Archive) ul Zoi i A leksa nd ra K osm odem iansk ikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-90

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DIRlt ERS)MEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1626 P0105

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WI(AJD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u FS (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P le as e find a ttached a self-explanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f S ubhash C hand ra Bose under the RT Act for kind necessary action a t your end

lahul S h rivastava) U n d e rs e c re ta ry 7 J a n u a ry 2 0 0 8

DIR(ERS gtMEflRNQ235C 7 Jan 2008 16=26 P020b

No RTI5517606 Ministry of External Affairs

( RTX Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquo s note W I (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser o f complete correspondence

with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash | Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content o f the note was conveyed to the Information j Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant bull The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government o f j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russiani Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the Nationali bull

W e have received a communication to this effect from the CIC

i s J

Achieve o f India

which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(A K Nag) JS (W ei amp Inf) amp CPIO1

December 18 2007

DIR( ERS gtMEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1627 P 0305

gt O P KEJARIWALSTTJprf

-MiX TR 4 58 cfcr TPTT

fcc=6ft11 0 0 6 7 Biock-lV 5th Floor Oki JNU Campus

I n fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r New Delhi-110067 Telefax 26717351

Centra Information Commission

Novem ber 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T 5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian G overnm ent fo r disclosure of the N etaji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar W e have now received a le t te r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N e ta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portant from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere individuals in terest He suggests and reuests th ere fo re that this m a te ria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India f rom abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m atte r therefore is pursued w ith the Russian Governm ent so th a t w hatever m ateria l is of va lue and interest to India may come toTis especially in the present case

Yours sincerely

(O P Kejariw al)

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) M inistry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C 7 Jan 2008 16 = 2 P 0405

02 6 N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 7

Dr OP Kejariwal information Com missioner Central Information Commission

+ Old JNU Campus N ew Delhi - 110067

Subject R e q u e s t to Ind ian Em bassy to procure post-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian a rc h ive s

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter N o R TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2 0 07 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTi Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision NoC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

lt think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Em bassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

4 2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing rules or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at tim es provide information A request from the Embassy o f India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

I would not w ant this e xercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant fcS ords s re identified the Em bassym ay procure them fo rtheN atTonal Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India since they are likely to provide a never befc s insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

1

DIR ( ERS) ME ARN0235C7 Jan 2008 16=27

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world war for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n t 2 6 3 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mazzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez idsn ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)Archive o f th e P re s id e n t o f the R ussian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lrsquosk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606 -13 -33 Fax (495) 606-19-66

2 Is to riko -dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del RF (ID D M ID) [H is to rico -D ocum en ta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in istry o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o ie nska ia -S en n a ia p loshchad rsquo 3234 Tel (495) 244 -32 -19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i p o lit ik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (AVP RF)[A rch ive o f Fo re ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241 -04 -80

4 Tsen tra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva obo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f th e M in is try o f D e fense] - bull -142100 M oskovska ia o b la s t P odo lsk ul K irova74 Tel (495 )715-90-05 (0 9 6 7 )5 4 -0 0 -0 3

5 G lavno je R a zve dyva te ln o je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilita ry In te lligence D irectora te a rch ives A ddress no t know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv FederaPnoi s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (T sA FS B R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F e de ra l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzh by vneshne i razvedki R F (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)(O perational A rch ive o f the F o re ign In te lligence Service ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 51 10Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 2 4 5 -33 -6 8 Fax (495) 247-05-29

Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (T sA M VD R ossii)[Central A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In terna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovoche rem ushk inska la 67 (Archive) ul Z o i i A le ksa n d ra K osm odem ianskikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-30

ffs

amp-3gt) i c y v

Embassy of India Moscow(Political Wing) f t

r r v ^Subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with USSRRussia over the

disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 reg

Reference remarks made by the Ambassador on FR a letter from JS (Wei ampInf) addressed to Shri OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner copy endorsed to Min (Pol) on the above subject

Back ground of the case On receipt o f a copy o f AS (PP )rsquo s Note No RTI- 36AS(PP)07 dated 942007 on the above subject Mission vide fax dated 130407 forwarded few copies o f Missionrsquos correspondence with the local authorities on the subject to AS(PP) -------- At F A

Subsequently on receipt o f JS(ERS)rsquo s letter No 1 lJS(ERS)2007 dated 20407 enclosed with A S (PP )rsquo s Note No 30AS(PP)07 amp JS(CNV)rsquo s Note along with copies o f correspondence available in CNV Division on the subject Mission has sent a Note Verbale No SA8907 dated 1752007 to Russian Foreign Ministry requesting for the views o f the Russian side whether the information provided by them could be released to the appellant -------At FB

Documents provided by Russian side and forwarded to the Commission

(i) Documents initially provided by the Russian side attached with Note Verbale No1423 DA dated 28h June 2001 which was forwarded to the Ministry on August

31 2001 may please be seen a t-----FC in the linked file

(ii ) On the basis of an affidavit submitted to the Justice Mukherjee Commission a Note Verbale No SA25904 dated December 22 2004 was sent to the M FA and reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 13142 DA dated 4 March 2005 enclosed with a copy of letter from Mr V Sayadyants to the Soviet Ambassador to Iran Mr IV Sadchikov regarding the political situation in India in 1946 may please be seen a t--------FD in the linked file

Response of the Russian side

( i) A reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 42952 DA dated 2262007 stating therein that ldquo the documents from Russian Archives handed over in June 2001 were for official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up by it for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo This was conveyed to the Ministry vide letter No MOSPOL125190 dated 472007 --------At FE

P2

2

Again on receipt o f a copy o f the decision o f Central Information Commission vide No RTI5517606 dated 22082007 (At FF) Mission took up the matter with M FA vide Note Verbale No SA17307 dated 1892007 for which a reply was received vide No 42952DA dated 11007 reiterating their view that the documents from RussianArchives were submitted exclusively for official use by the GOI including Thiswas conveyed to the Ministry vide E-gram dated 10102007-----At FG

Submitted as desired by Min (Pol) please

2

f^TT FTRTTM IN ISTR Y O F E X TE R N A L A F FA IR S

NEW D ELH I

Dated 2nd November 2007 I gt gt v

gt ldquo $

NoRTI551762006

Shri OP KejariwalInformation Commissioner Central Information Commission Club Building Old JNU Campus New Delhi-110 067 bull

Subject- Disclosure o f complete correspondenc e with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RT[ Act 2005

SirAs per directives o f the Honrsquoble Central Information

Commission contained in Para 13 o f the decisioNoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi seeking certified copies o f the complete correspondence this Ministry had with the Governments of the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

9 ^ 2 Our Embassy in Moscow again approached the Government of Russian Federation to get their consent to the disclosure o f documents under reference but the Government of Russian Federation reiterated that documents were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government o f India for investigation o f Netajee Subhash Chandra Bose disappearance

3 However they state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note o f the Embassy can approach the authorities o f the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy o f India for permission to get to know the M aterials deposited in Federal and State Archives o f the Russian Federation

OV-

g ji)

j d L

Yours faithfully

(AK Nag) Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer

_ f

- i V lt L

Copy for information forwarded to-

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110 018

2 Director(ERS) Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi with reference to his Note NoW l(AD)5511007 dated 25102007

Minister (Pol) Embassy o f India Moscow

Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp Central Public Information Officer

N o W l(A D ) 5 5 1 1 0 0 7 M inistry o f External A ffa irs

(ERS D ivision)

W ith re ference your N ote No R T I5 5 1 7 6 0 6 dated 2 2 8 2 0 0 7 to JS (E R S ) regarding d isclosure o f com plete correspondence w ith the USSRRussia o v e r th e d is a p p e a ra n c e o N e ta ji S u b h a s h C h a n d ra B o s g u n d e r R T I A c t 2005 p lease find enclosed th e unofficial translation o f th e note verb ale dated 1 0 c to b e r rsquo0 7 sent by R ussian M inistry o f Foreign Affairs in reply to the note verbale sent by our E m bassy in M o scow on the subject

(A rya S an d e e p ) D irector (E R S )

2 5 O ctob er 2 0 0 7

JS (W ei amp Inf ampCentral Public In form ation O fficer

v C op y to M in ister (Pol) E m bassy o f India M oscow

U n o ffic ia l T ra n s la tio n

Quote

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highest consideration

Moscow 01st October 2007

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

For official use only

E-GRAM

NoMOSPOL 125 190 laquo y October 10 2007

From To

Indembassy Moscow Foreign New Delhi

AStERS) from Minister (Poll

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

Q u o teUnofficial translation

Moscow 01st October 2007

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

sd-(Dr Subhakanta Behera)

Minister (Political)

a I JH

NICEMAIL r^T^X Page 1 o f 1

y

Current Folder SentMaill y II

I - Compose rsquo^ Addresses ^ Folders EOptions gt Search ^ H e lp sij^Fetch ^ss^Calen

Message List | Delete | Edit Previous I Next Forward I Forward as Attachment | Reply | Reply A ll Message as N ew ------------1 ----------- 1-------------------------------- 1 ldquo r J 1

Subject Message from EI MoscowFrom dcmmoscowmeagovinDate Wed October 10 2007 110 pm

To jsersmeagovinPriority NormalOptions V iew Full Header | V iew Printable V ersion | Add to Addressbook

Attachments

untitled -[l] Ok [texthtm l] download | view

MQS10100716dth 175 k [ applicationoctet-stream ] download

10)0o

NoMOSpOL125190 October 10 2007

From Indernbassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

AS(BRS) from Minister (Pol)

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

Q u o teUnofficial translation

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of

September 20o7 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22laquod of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

For official use only

1

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

Moscow 01st October 2007

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Minister (Political)

No64682DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and

the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 da ted the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

In add ition to the Note o f the M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion No 429 5 2D A dated the 22 nd o f June 2007 in form tha t docum ents from R ussian a rch ives w ere subm itted e xc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the

the Com m issionAfor investiga tion o f N eta jee S ubhas C handra B ose d isappea rance d e ta iis ^s ta b lis h e d by the G ove rnm en t o f IndiaD

p TU-Indian c itizen m en tioned in the Note o f the E m bassy has ^ f fg h t th rough the E m b a s sy tfo request and to fee- get to k n o w ^ a te r ia ls depos ited in Federa l and S ta te A rch ives o f the R ussian F ede ra tion w ith the perm iss ion o f its authorities

The M in is try ava ils th is opportun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest conside ra tion

M oscow 01st O ctober 2007

A ppend ix N ote N o4295 2D A

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

ampJk i A

lAK i

M

bull J U h J t ^ J JLflJ L (L S U s ^ S u (jrcopywO ^ (V|Pj iVv ^ |0]laquo f 1 r i r I - r r J I - 1Olgt-^ |1 CJ |ltg fkiiXn

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o 1

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Nlti 4 2 9 5 2 M

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No42952DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and quo ting the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 dated the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

D ocum ents from R ussian a rch ives m entioned in the N ote o f the E m bassy w ere subm itted in particu lar in June 2001 exc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the use by the C om m iss ion fo r inves tiga tion o f N e ta jee S ubhas C handra Bose d isappea rance deta ils estab lished by the G ove rnm en t o f India

W e a lso in form tha t the access to Federa l and S ta te A rch ive s o f the R ussian Federa tion is a llow ed w ith the perm iss ion o f Federa l a rch ives A g en cy (R osarch ives) the read ing in read ing room s o f concre te a rch ives w ith th e perm ission o f a rch ives s truc tu res au tho rities o f co rrespond ing bod ies on the basis o f appea l o f E m bassies sc ien tific research ins titu tes and pub lic o rgan iza tions

The M in is try ava ils th is oppo rtun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest considera tion

M oscow 02nd June 2007

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

MHHHCTepcTBO PiHocTpaHHbix 0eji Pocchhckoh

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No SA8907 ot 17 Mah 2007 rofla HMeeT qecrb coo6ihhtigt

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NoSA17307

gt v

TRcT ltTv5f rram TTWTEMBASSY OF INDIA

MOSCOWriOCOIbCTBO HhaMM

MocKBa

18 September 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure of entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

J rThe Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent

vdeg a u th o r ity (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sidersquos view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set

^ up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji V A Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not

^ disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if suchaterial could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry it

could be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissionrsquos work is over Thecompetent authority is of the opinion that the material in question could be disclosed

W ^ deg the Appellant They further advised the Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi to formal clearance for the disclosure of the entire material on the above subject

J ^ ^ ^ f r o r y ^ e ^ i l i s s i a n side

- esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure of the above material maylease be communicated to this Mission at an early date

-

f

mbassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to tfte ^ in ijP r^W f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ^ of the Russian F e d e r ^ J ^(2nd Asia Department) 4 - 1 ^ gt i Csy~~~ aM o s c o w 1

6-8 yn BopoHUOBO rioie 131940 r MocKBa

Ten 007-095-783-75-35 007-095-783-75-34

wwwindianembassyru

tjgt2 t 007-095-916-36- 3 2 007-095-975-23-37

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR

JS(WelampInf) amp Central Public Information Officer has forwarded u s the CIC decision with request to initiate action in accordance with p a ra -13 th e Information Commission is all for disclosure of the material The CIC does not see any reason why the m aterial should not be disclosed now to any researcher since the Justice Mukherjee Commissionrsquos work is over Accordingly it has advised the Ministry of External Affairs to seek the formal clearance from the Russian authorities in the m atter

2 DCMrsquos last comm unication with JS(ERS) was made on 4th July 2007 DCM had forwarded the translation of the note verbale received from the Russian Foreign Office

3 In the light of above we may again send a note verbale to the Foreign Office in accordance with p a ra -13 of the CIC decision

Subm itted please

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

Sept 13 2007

NoSA17307 $ September 2007

The Embassy o f India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure o f entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

The Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent authority (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sides view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if such material could be made available to the Justice Mukheerjee Commission for inquiry they see no reason why-thisO material should iw k be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissions work is over The competent authority is of the ifem opinion that the material in question should be disclosed to the Appellant They further advised the Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi to obtain formal clearance for the disclosure o f the entire material on the above subject from the Russian side

The esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure o f the above material may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2nd Asia Department) Moscow

No R TI5517606 Ministry o f External Affairs

(RTI Division)

Subject - Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

Please find enclosed herewith Central Information Com m issionrsquos decision NoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar o f New Delhi

2 It is requested that necessary action may please be initiated in accordance with para-13 o f the CIC decision

EnclAs above

JS (Eiirasia)

(AiC Nag) Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer22-08-2007

mdash o j^ VxkxraquoA

OJLgt ^

J amp u - cVjl_JL bull

X k ~ Ajo-vyWpound

(XaA

- e j

(e-US)

V mdash j ^ bull

S c

X H bull ( 0 r h

gf if raquofn2(gt0Dy N o pound 3 amp RTI D1V200gt

Central Information Commission ilaquoWDlaquoted4i^USd|ampL~

sect $ I| | i yyNoCICOKA200600671

Dated 10 August 2007

Name of the Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar263 Kangra NiketanVikaspuri New Delhi - 110 018

Name of the Public Authority Ministry of External Affairs

Background

Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi filed an application with the PIO Ministry of

External Affairs on 2 August 2006 for seeking certified copies of the complete

correspondence the Ministry of External Affairs had with the Governments of

the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash

Chandra Bose

2 The PIO vide his letter dated 25 August 2006 informed the Appellant that

the request to the Government of USSR and the Russian Federation were made

through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels The PiO also stated that the

requisite copies of the correspondence could not be disclosed at it involves the

relations with a foreign State and so was exempt from disclosure as per the

provisions of Clause 8(1 )(a)amp(f) of the RTI Act

3 Dissatisfied with the reply of the PIO the Appellant filed an appeal with

the first Appellate Authority on 23 September 2006 who vide his letter dated 6

November 2006 again denied disclosure of the documents taking recourse to the

Section 8(1 )(a) and (i) The bench of Dr OP Kejariwal Information

mmissioner heard the matter on 23 March 2007

4 The main stand of the Respondents to the information sought by the

Appellant which is regarding the correspondence between India and the

Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia was that this

information could not be disclosed as it was likely to affect the countryrsquos

relationship with another State On making enquiries from the Respondents it

was clear that this correspondence had neither been seen nor been examined

by an expert to come to such a conclusion Therefore the Commission felt

that the Applicantrsquos application had been treated casually

5 The Commission then directed the Respondents to first have this

correspondence examined by their own experts and if need be by an outside

expert who they could rely on and then take a firm decision In case the

experts came to the conclusion that the applicability of the denial clause was

not relevant in the case the material could be disclosed to the Appellant

However in case the Respondents came to the conclusion that the relations

between the Governments of india and Russia would be affected through the

disclosure of this information the Commission would like the issue to be

settled only after a reference had been made to the Government of Russia

6 The matter was taken up for a second hearing by the bench of Dr OP

Kejariwal Information Commissioner on 10 August 2007

7 Shri AK Naag Joint Secretary (Inf amp Wei) amp CPIO and Shri Nand

Kishore Under Secretary (RTI) represented the Respondents

8 The Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar was present in person

Decision

9 The Commission heard both the sides During the hearing the

Respondents stated before the Commission that they had received a response

from the Government of the Russian Federation Moscow in pursuance of the

Commissionrsquos earlier Order in the matter dated 23 March 2007

10 This letter stated ldquoaccording to the correspondence received from the

Embassy of India Moscow the Russian Foreign Office has stated that the

documents handed over by them in June 2001 were meant only for the GOIrsquos

official use and for the work of the Commission in investigations into the

disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo

11 During the hearing the Appellant stated that his request included the

entire correspondence between the Governments of India and the USSR

regarding nf NPtajirsquos disappearance The Commission accepted this

request and directed the Respondents to clearly mention this while seeking the

approval of the Russian authorities for disclosure of this material

12 Also during the hearing the Appellant made a plea for a copy of the

letter received by the Ministry of External Affairs resulting from the application

that he had made on the issue The Commission saw no objection in this

request and directs the Respondents to supply a copy of this letter to the

Appellant

13 The Commission further feels that if the material could be made

available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the

disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be

disclosed now to any Researcher now that that Commissionrsquos work is over The

information Commission therefore is all for disclosure of this material to the

Appellant However it advises the Ministry of External Affairs to seek a formal------ ------ - _ ____________ ___

clearance from the Russian Authorities in the matter

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110018

Shri AK Nag Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) a Central Public Information Officer Room No 207 Akbar Bhawan Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110021

3 Shri Ajay Choudhary Additional Secretary amp Appellate Authority Room No 144 C South Block Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110011

4 Officer Incharge NSC

5 Press E Group CIC

(OP Kejariwal) Information Commissioner

Cc

The Statesman

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01

[ India ]-

Netaji filesrsquo disclosure ordered

New Delhi Aug 16 The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the external affairs ministry to disclose its correspondence with the erstwhile USSR over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra BoseldquoThe Commission feels that if the material could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be disclosed to any researcher nowrdquo information commissioner Mr OP Kejariwal saidThe Commission made this observation while hearing Mission Netajirsquos plea for certified copies of the complete correspondence between India and the USSR over Netajirsquos disappearance in 1945 The CIC in its decision relied on a letter from officials in Moscow that said the documents which were handed over to India were meant for ldquoofficial use and for the work o f the Mukherjee Commission n PTI

Discussion on this Ind ia itemDisclaimer These are Internet generated discussion threads for which the The Statesman has no responsibilityNo discussions on this item

t o P os

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Usernar

Passwo

New

9 fM raquo f -

m m m m

O ther India

Cabinet nod to new farm scheme

Q case CBI m ay cancel notice

Thaw in Left-UPA ties

Keshubhai joins rebels

http wwwthestatesmannetpagenewsphpclid=2amptheme=ampusrsess=lampid=l 66383 8172007

N o f j j M j l J X K

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raquo

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR and noting of FS(Pol) thereon

2 It seems the Russian Foreign Office does not want to add anything beyond what they have already pu t in the note verbale of Ju n e 22 2007 However if the said note verbale is read together with the bilateral Agreement of 2000 it becomes clear th a t there is no bar oft supplying confidential information to persons asking for the sam e According to Article 3b ot the Agreement decisions to hand over particular classified information shall be taken by the Parties on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the laws of their States

3 Moreover as a scrutiny of the correspondences between the SovietRussian and Indian sides shows they do not contain any sensitive information All the correspondences convey the result of the search in the Russian Archives Perhaps tha t is why JS(CNV) was inclined to suggest the disclosure of the correspondences

4 Given my positive view on the m atter for disclosure of the correspondences I would however like to propose tha t the Ministry may be sent a copy of the note verbale received from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to take into cognizance of the Agreement of 2000 before taking any final decision on the m atter If needed LampT Division in the Ministry may also be consulted

Subm itted please

(r

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

July 3 2007

No 42952DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation and in reference to the Note SA8907 dated 17th May 2007 has honour to inform the following -

The documents from Russian archives referred to in the Embassyrsquos note in particular handed over in June 2001 for official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set up by it for the investigation of circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

cm)

a

W e further inform that the access to materials belong to federal and state archives of the Russian Federation is given with the consent of Federal Agency of Achieves (Rosarchiv) and permission to work in reading halls of agency archives is given by authorities of archives belong to concerned agencies on direct requests by embassies scientific amp research institutions and social organizations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation assurances of its highest consideration

^ ft o j L (vLoo jP xjlJ~plt~ Moscow 22 June 2007

J ~ L 1 ^ mdash -J - ~ ^

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NoS -^ V JS (E R S )0 7

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9 hTIclt o agtA

P ^ gt r^ yV lt gt V gilaquo )laquo A ^ t Ministry o f External AffairsSouth Block New D elh i-110 011 M ail jsers m eagovin

J L ^ 7 7 0 A A t u - Phone 23017411

PhFax 2 3 0 1 9 2 2

j 3 gt kC ) h ^ Alt 5 ^ ^ M-V r Vw

T his is w ith reference to m y le tter no 11 J S (E R S)2007 d a ted April 20 2007 regard ing a req u e s t m ade u n d e r ldquoRight to in form ationrdquo (copy enclosed for ready reference) It is req u ested th a t th e R u ssian s id e rsquos resp o n se m ay kindly be in tim ated^atjan early da te ^ ^

rajj-vMaaS

Y ours sincerely

(Dr J Bhagwati

X ^h ri D ivyabh M an ch an d a D eputy C hief of M ission E m bassy of Ind ia Moscow

Copy to

AS(PP) JS(CNV)

(Dr J Bhagwati)

No 11 JS (E R S ) 2 0 0 7

Deari

Please refer to AS (PP) an d Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 M arch 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence betw een the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra B osersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E u rasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm w ith the R ussian side w hether they would have any objection to release of correspondence received from them on th is subject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos response m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

S d -(Dr J Bhagwati)

Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) A^(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

S

20 April 2007h

( Dr J Bhagwati )

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tel 7837535 Fax 9752337

NoSA8907 17 May 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 2YuA dated 8 January 1992 and subsequent correspondence (viz No 73YuA dated 27 October 1995 N 547 dated 20 March 1997 19073DA dated 20 March 2003 and 59542DA dated 6 October 2004) including a letter from Ambassador Yu Kutov regarding information about the reported stay of a former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

An Indian citizen had filed a petition under the Right to Information Act 2005 for obtaining all informationdocuments relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The information obtained from the Russian side was denied to the appellant at that time

^Thereupon an appeal was filed by the concerned citizen and currently the V Government of India is considering whether the informationdocuments

-t obtained from Russian authorities on the subject could be released toappellant Views of the Russian side whether the information provided by

( them could be released to the appellant would be essential for the^ f Government of India to take decision on the matter

The esteemed Ministryrsquos views on the matter may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the

s of its highest consideration

f V Ministry of Foreign AffairsL o f the Russian Federation

cr - A sia Department) ^V ^^(V io sco w

A V

Ministry o f External Affairs South Block N ew D elh i-110 011 Mail jsers m eagovinMail jsers m ea Phone 23017411

i]r

Phone 23017411 PhFax 23011922

S e c r e t

No H JS (E R S )2007

Dear L b ]

Please refer to AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence between the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra Bosersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E urasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm with the R ussian side w hether they would have

amp any objection to release of correspondence received from them on thissubject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos re~sponse m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

^Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) AS(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

( Dr J B hagw ati)

V

V No^5AS(PP)2007

Right to Inform atioi Timt

Most Im

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)rsquos Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Inform ation Act 2 005

Shri Anuj Dhar had initially requested this Ministry last year requesting form information on the following two points-

1 Certified copies of complete correspondence the MEA has had with the Governments o f the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

2 Confirmation on whether the Ministry had sought information from the erstwhile Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation by merely issuing Notes Verbale or some serious efforts were ever made at a higher (say Ministerial) level to uncover the mystery surrounding the fate of Netaji

filed an appeal with the CIC The appeal was considered by the CIC on 23 March 2007 The CIC has directed that the Ministry should have the documents under reference carefully examined by a panel of experts to determine whether the information sought by the applicant can be given or not

While we have not received the final decision of the Commission this would a time-bound exercise and it is therefore requested that JS(CNV) may please make the records available to me for a preliminary examination so that expeditious action can be taken on receipt of the formal decision of the CIC

The information was denied to Shri Dhar by this Ministry whereupon he

(AjAdditional Secretary (PP) fit

Appellate Authority (RTI) 28 March 2007

JS(CNV)

Copy forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with the request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me as soon as possible

o f iHC-ifl no 3 20 HOO bull rsquobull bullP

vrrwr 5fn tnrvtEMBASSY OF IN D IA

6-0 Ulitsa Obukha M O S C O W

Tel No 237-0820

t t v

Septe mb er 16 1991

The Embassy of I nd ia presents its compli me nt s to the Mi nistry of For ei gn Aff ai rs of the USSR and has the ho nour to enclose her ew it h a c o ll ect io n opound documents or NetSji S ub ha sh C h an d ra B o s e at one time a President of the Ind-ior N at io na l C o n g r e s s and a leading fig are in ths Indian freedom movement received from H r _ Ch it ts S s s u M em b er of P ar l ia m en t and Gene ra l Secretary All r d i a Forward Bloc a group founded by Meta ji Subhas-i X h 3 n d r a Fgt = $ e ord at present a c o n s t it ue n t of tne Left Front G o v e r n shyment in the Indian state of West Bengal

2 In these d o c u me n ts there are su ggestions quotingthe then Soviet A m b a s s a d o r in Kabul and the Soviet Vice Consu l in T e h er an to the effect that Netaji Subhash Chandra

itighr have found his way to the Soviet Union after the alleged ae ro p la n e cr as h in August 1 9 A 5 As recently as March 5 I990 The H i n d u s t a n Time an Indian daili n e w s p a p e r quoted a scholar of the Soviet Institute if Or ie nt al S t ud ie s to the effect t h a t there are t c S o v i e t sc ho la rs who have applied to tne Covernen-c of the US Sr for pe rm is si on to e xa min e cla ss if ie d documents

3- In the light of the current policy on Soviet nationala r ch i ve s the Embassy of India would appreciate if an rate- rial that sheds light on the fate of Netaji Subhush Chandra Dose in the a rch iv es of S ov ie t or ga nisations including s ec u r i t y o r g a ni s at io ns is made available to the Embassy of India

A The Ere bossy of India n vails itself of this opportunityto renew to the M i n s t r y of Foreign Affairs of the USSH the a s s u r a n c e s of its highest c on si deration

Seal

M i n i t r y of Foreign Af fa ir s Covernment of USSRM o s c o bullgt

E rc 1 a s a b o v e

if nI

(rough translation)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation

No ZAuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that according to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no information whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow8 January 1992

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

trrlter r_ EM B A S S Y OF INDIA6-8 Ulitsa Voiomsovo Polyo

N o S A 8 3 9 5 July 27 19SS

The Embassy of India presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to correspondence resting with their Note Verbaie No 2YuA of S January 15S2 regarding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Enclosed is a booklet which contends that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may have come to the former Soviet Union in 1945 There has teen further speculation in this context reportedly on the basis of archival materials In view of this it would be highly appreciated if ail materials available on the subject couid be examined for a final determination on whether or not Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose entered or stayed anywhere in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 or subsequently

The Embassy of India avails itself of tnis opportunity to renew to tne Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration - bull -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (South Asia Department) Moscow

v

(Unofficial T ransl

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

73YuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central Archival Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents^of Modern History no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to

renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 1995

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1995 Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years W e have now been informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory otthe former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador Kotov forwarding the note categorically asserts th a t we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soilrdquo and that extensive research can hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovrsquos letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

2 I would like you to please bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

(Pripuran Singh Haer)

0 M0 5 F f l I I 0 bull rsquo 1 ~ 6 C

Pripuran Singh Haer Charge dAffaires

MOSPOL125190

r o h o11 bull i bull r o j o o r i

trn s laquoPi j a r m rrcsl p - igt llsquo7EM B A S S Y OF INDIA

6-8 U l iu a Votomsovo PolyM O S C O W

Tel No S i 7-CS20 Tolex 413409 INDEMSU

Tgts Fa bullbull-9 3

October 31 19S5

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1SSS Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years We have now bee informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1595 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is nc

s informatcn whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory cf the formeSoviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador

ji Kotov forwarcing the note categorically asserts that we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soil and that extensive research can

1 hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovsbullvu letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

v jf2 1 wouid iike you to piesse bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

kt (Pripuran Singh Haer)

Shri R L Narayan Joint Secretary (EE) Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi

diams i iL Mr Ror on Sen Arnba ssador of Ind ia to th e R u s s i a n F e d e r a t i o n

D e a r R o n e n

E n c lo sed Y o u will find o u r no te c o n c e rn in g S u b h a sh C h a n d ra

Bose D o bel ieve th a t we have t r ied o u r best to discover any relevant

I actsU n f o r tu n a te ly I a m p ro fo u n d ly d is t ressed being u n a b le to provide

t any posi t ive in f o r m a t i o n on th e subject o f no t th e least im p o r t a n c e for

the In d ia n public Alas by now it a p p e a r s that we can be su re tha t Netnj has neve r set foot o n th e R u ss ia n soil Extensive re sea rch car r ied out

u p o n th e latest r eq u es t o f Y o u r s can h a rd ly leave any d oub ts to lhgt

effect

S in ce re ly Y ours Y a K o t o v

w

r lt W 3 lt tfr s t pound 2 3 i

Intervention by H EM rAnatoly MDrukov Ambassador of Russia in India during the

eress-conference on the 210296 in le Foreign Correspondentsrsquo Club__________

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is

deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people

who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73Y uA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

inform ation on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

m uch em otion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

j i

gt J -

i

Directorate of Foreign Relatilt Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

March 20 1997

N 547

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to you and has the honour to forward herewith the letter of Mr L Joychandra Singh addressed a second time to the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

In reply to this repeated query the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence (CAMD) of the Russian Federation has pointed out that there is no other data relating to the fate of Subhash Chandra Bose besides the information conveyed to you vide letter No1843 dated October 28 1996 (enclosing No222672 of the CAMD)

We request you to kindly inform Mr L Joychandra Singh of the above reply from the Archives

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Military Wing of the Embassy of India in Moscow the assurances of its highest consideration

Military Attache in the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation

Brig D Singh

No 19073DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federations presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassyrsquos note verbale No SA 1003 dated 8 January 2003 and the Ministryrsquos note verbale No 1423DA dated 28 June 2001 has the honour to inform you about the following

A search was conducted for documents related to the fate ofSCBose in the following federal archives

Russian State Military Archive (RGVA) Russian State Archives of Socio-Political History (RGASPI) State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) and Russian State Historical Archives of the Far East (RGIA DV) The information requested for was not found in the GARF RGVA and RGIA DV archives

Copies of the documents found in the RGIA DV Archives were sent to the Embassy in 2001

No information has been found about the fate of SC Bose in the Central Archives of the Russian FSB the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in the m anuscript section of the Russian State Library or in the Russian State Archives of Photographic Documents (RGAKFD)

We would also like to inform th a t the personnel archives of Eva Yakovlevna Lyusternik were sent after her death to the Russian Academy of Sciencesrsquo Institute of Oriental Studies and the open part of the archival m aterial on IV Stalin was sent from the archives of the President of the Russian Federation to RGASPI

The Ministry would like to use th is opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

M inistry of Foreign AtlairsR u ssian F ed eratio n

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Moscow 20th March 2003

^ M la iet ja Affaireo f the deration

No S 9 5 4 2 A A

The M inistry of Foreign Affairs of th e R ussian Federation p resen ts its com plim ents to the Em bassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and in continuation of Note No 55382XA dated Septem ber 14 2004 h as the honour to intorm th a t Information sought on the fate of Ind iarsquos p rom inent political figure Netaji S u b h ash C hand ra Bose was no t found in the C entral Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia

The M inistry avails of th is opportun ity to renew to the Em bassy the a ssu ra n ce s of its highest consideration

M oscow October 6 2004

E m bassy o f th e Republic o f India M oscow -

Ministry o f External Affairs CNV Division

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Information Act

Reference note at FR from AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) regarding CICrsquos directives on appeal by Shri Anuj Dhar who was denied information requested concerning disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his whereabouts in the former USSRRussia i f any

2 Vide letter o f 020806 at FA Shri Dhar had requested for (a) certified copies o f complete correspondence between MEA and the Government o f USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referring to Our Embassyrsquos intervention with the Russian MFA in 199219951997 2001 and 2003 and (b) whether MEA sought information from the Russian side in a routine manner through issue o f Note Verbales or some serious efforts were made at a higher level

3 Vide issue o f 250806 at FB CPIO on the basis o f inputs from CNV Division replied to Shri Dhar conveying that (a) requests to the Governments o f the USSRRussia were made through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels and (b) requisite copies o f the correspondence sought cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under provisions of Clause 8(l)(a)amp (f) o f the RTI Act Under Clause8(1)(a) there is noobligation to give any citizen information disclosure o f which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity o f India the security strategic scientific or economic interests o f the State relation with foreign State or lead to incitement o f an offence Under Clause 8(l)(f) there is no obligation to give ldquoinformation received in confidence from foreign governmentrdquo

4 Shri Dhar vide his letter o f 230906 at FC had appealed to then Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) on the ground that the reasons given by the CPIO denying him the information aslced for are untenable With regard to the intervention with the USSRRussian Government for information on Netajirsquos disappearance Shri Dhar seeks to know if this matter was pursued at a higher (say Ministerial) level Regarding Ministryrsquos resort to Clause 8(l)(a) Shri Dhar wrote that this is not intelligible to him as to how correspondence dealing with the disappearance o f a national hero can be threat to India or its relations with USSR which does not exist and has been disowned by the successor state o f the Russian Federation He has also questioned as to why information received in this matter o f national importance should be confidential In response to the appeal C lW Division has conveyed to JS (Inf) and CPIO vide its note dated 011106 at FD that (a) the information sought for by Shri Dhar ie whether serious efforts were made with interventions at higher levels with the Russian Government to seek information on Netajirsquos disappearance does not constitute ldquoinformationrdquo as defined in the RTI Act and the question is anecdotal in nature and (b) that copies o f correspondence cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under the relevant clauses in the RTI Act Though there is no evidence on this NGO file it is our understanding that these views were conveyed by the Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) to Shri Dhar Presumably what was meant was that Shri Dhar was seeking the opinion o f the MEA as to whether the efforts made by GOl in its interventions with the Russian Government were serious or just routinely taken up Since such lsquoopinionrsquo is not covered under Clause 1(0 hence it cannot be construed as lsquoinformationrsquo

6 The undersigned has gone through all available records in NGO Section pertaining to correspondence with the USSRRussian Governments seeking information on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose In particular attention is drawn to a note recorded in December 1998 at FE on linked file giving the chronological background to suchcorrespondence starting from May 1990 in the Note for Supplementaries prepared for Rajya Sabha Starred Question No 174 for answer on 101298 dealing with the Asiatic Societyrsquos request for access to Russian archives It may also be seen from the attached

A

Anticipated Questions and their Answersrsquo that Ministry was willing to disclose the contents o f the Note Verbale received from the Russian Government in response to IUdiaji demarches regarding information on Netaji on the floor o f the House There is no i available on NGO files to indicate if such information was in fact disclosed on the flooi o f the House when the PQ was answered However the point to note is Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose such information As per the last line under Clause 8 o f RTI Act ldquoinformation which cannot be denied to the Parliament or the State legislature shall not be denied to any personrdquo Therefore if such information has already been disclosed on the floor o f the House or even by virtue o f Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose we may no deny such information requested by Shri Anuj Dhar

7 Chronologically the correspondence copies available on file and linked files and sought by Shri Dhar are listed as under

(a) NV No Nil dated 160991 from EI Moscow to MFA USSR Government at FF on linked file

(b) NV No 2YuA dated 080192 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at -FGv -- bullbullbulllaquo mdash bullbull

(c) NV No SA8395 dated 270795 from EI M oscow to MFA Russian Government at FH on linked file

(d) NV No 73YuA dated 271095 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at FI

(e) DO letter from CDA EI Moscow enclosing Amb Kotovrsquos letter to Amb Ronen Sen at FJ on linked file

(f) Record o f intervention by Russian Ambassador to India at a press IK lrsquo ltonffirericebnrsquo2i0296 at FK on linked file

(g) NV No N547 dated 200397 from Russian Defence Ministry to EI Moscow at FL

(h) NV No 19073DA dated 200303 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow aft FM and

(k) NV No 59542DA dated 061004 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow 4 FN

8 A perusaldf the available correspondence shows the continuous effort made by the Ministry through the Embassy in Moscow to obtain information available i f any on Netajirsquos whereabouts in Russia It also shows that such effort was made at very high levels even through correspondence between the Indian Ambassador to Russia and his Russian counterpart One such correspondence is even addressed to a private Indian citizen in Manipur and the same has been passed on to him by our Embassy in Moscow There is no evidence to suggest that such correspondence was received in confidence an not to be disclosed However it would be beyond the competence o f CNV Division to make such a judgment merely on perusal ofthe filesrecords available in NGO SectionAS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) may like to consult Eurasia Division and Embassy o f India Moscow on whether disclosure o f such information under RTI woulc be detrimental to bilateral relations

J)(Debnath ShaiO

X At Wi bull JS (CNV)09 April 20f)7

AS fPP) amp Aeffellate Authority TRTI)

fet L 0 k f t t U a k k f c v J y -TI 4 i t i

cn v w et oA 2 4 JhV oW ei w ttC a

i CIC c h t tfcVe (jEuTA4-IAJ jrteaitcrj At-jKCdh-al tjyin cm Mm+cpL

I M i i ) J L j i t

j J 7

i

-r-

31

FAXTo AS(PP)

MEA New Delhi Fax 91-11-23013387

From First Secretary (Pol) Indembassy Moscow

Rpti) DS[Russia] MEA

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tele 007-495-9163544 Fax 007- 495-9163632

With reference to DS[Russia]rsquos message regarding AS[PP]rsquos note to JS[CNV] No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 9 April 2007 on an appeal filed under No RTI act 2005

2 Please find faxed herewith currently available few copies of this Missionrsquos correspondence with local authorities on the subject We will send more m aterial if available by the earliest diplomatic bag

U ) U v tcrv-4 j

(Dr Suresh Babu) FS [Pol]

13042007

A

- P O C C H H C K A fl A K M E M H H HAYK ^

H H C T H T Y T B O C T O K O B E ^ E H H J I

___________ JV2 ____________________

H a JVs_____________________________ T To 1Justice Mukherji

Commission o f Inquiry M irza Ghalib Street

Kolkata

Dear Sir

This is to inform you that as per your request we have checked the Private

Archive o f Prof EYaLustemic in the Indian Center o f the Institute of Oriental

Studies Russian Academy o f Sciences Moscow

We regret to inform you that there is no document on Subash Chandra Bose

With sincere regards

(Shaumian TLHead the Indian Center o f the Institute o f Oriental Studies

Russian Academy o f SciencesM oscow)

26092005

l0303l(Plttgt CHO 103753 (MeacflyHapoflHbiH) MocKBa T C n yji PoxcnecTBeHKa12 Ten (095)921-1884 (095)925-6461 Oaicc (095)975-2396 E-mail ivran orcru

In contrast to Indian National Congress Bose and his activists basically counted on armed struggle and open cooperation against enemies of England - Germany Italy and Japan Bose dreamed about freedom for India through crushing defeat of Britain Bose could not do it himself so he linked activity of his troops and groups with assault of Germany on India from the West and Japan from the East The aim of Bose was to expedite the assault in all possible ways and reinforce it from inside by subversive Anti-English activity in India and if possible to attached nature o f mass anti-British revolt However at that time not all people considered his activity as ldquosubversiverdquo Fascism was not so popular in India at that time but racism and violence were condemned everywhere A lot of Indians were satisfied with telling blows delivered hateful center o f empire by axis countries in particular against the background of British demonstrative nonshyrecognition of Indian rights for self-determination J Nehru wrote about this period How can we conciliate two basic directions of our policy - opposition to British imperialism and opposition to fascism and nazism How can we adjust our nationalism with our internationalism That was a difficult question for us taking in view current situation However this question would not be difficult if the British Government take a step to show us its refusal from imperialistic policy in India and rely on peoplersquos good willrdquo

But it did not happen Indian public reacted accordingly Describing the psychological atmosphere in the country that time Jawaharlal Nehru wrote ldquoPeople were pushing out not by patriotic feelings but by their willingness to save themselves from an offense and the worstrdquo

So S Bose did not have any mass support but he could use the mood of majority for his own purposes Nehru wrote about it the following ldquoProtection of the imperialism which we were fighting with for such a long time seemed to be non-sense and impossible to usrdquo

Unofficial translation

ldquoMatsottardquo is obtaining Soviet visa

Instructions were really complicated It was necessary to send Subhas Chandra Bose to Germany He was wanted by Britain secret service colonial Administration and local police throughout India Bose was staunch and irreconcilable adversary of Great Britain and may be the most dangerous one at that time

Extracts of the book whiten by Yuri L Kuznets ldquoMarauders are quitting the gamerdquo

Published in 1992 by ldquoInterprakstrdquo Moscow

Of course Bose made his main counting on the military defeat of England at the time when Hitlerrsquos Germany had been already at the war with it and Japan was still neutral So Bose was interested in Berlin When Japan occupied Burma and came close to the Indiarsquos borders Bose reoriented to the Far East

In spring 1941 his ways crossed with Bhagat Ram Bose decided to shift from India to Berlin because some of his friends and relatives were arrested in India and he by himself also was wanted He needed Hitlerrsquos support including financial one Ports we under police control and departure trough one of them was very risky Bose took another way and in February came to Kabul He was accompanied by Bhagat Ram who was not a member o f Bosersquos organization he did not like axis-members but he was posted as Bosersquos escort by his party ldquoKirti Kissanrdquo because o f his knowledge of Phushtun zone which they had to cross as well as Afghanistan and Kabul He also had his own flat in Kabul - the premises which belonged to Ultam Chang and his shop It was supposed that Ram was doing a favour to Bose only due to their common aim - to weak British positions in India at most

Ram fulfilled his task Bose settled down in Kabul and started to make arrangements for the next step of his journey During war time he could come to Germany only through the territory o f USSR For this purpose he required a passport which he did not have German Embassy applied to the Italian one Italians considered the German request positively Bose got passport in respect of Italian citizen Mazzotta Holding this passport Bose applied to the Soviet Embassy for transit visa crossed the USSR territory and came to Berlin

Mazzotta disappeared But German Consulate General drew attention to Bhagat Ram who was introduced as a powerful Indian activist in Afghanistan and India with anti-British orientation It was o f interest and he was suggested to work for the German Secret Service German resident was satisfied with Ramrsquos past his contacts and mood especially because he was concerned about difficulties o f the anti-British activities in India shortage of agents and information as well as conspiratorial bases in India Bosersquos recommendation also helped Ram was thinking it would be important for me and my party to establish contacts with enemies of their enemies

Offer on co-operation was accepted Ram left German Consulate having 100 000 Indian Rupees in his pocket 12 guns and ballets Money and arms were required by the people whom Ram would be recruiting in India Since May 1941 after the German finished their checking Ram had become the main agent o f the German Secret Service in India

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337 Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 9 4 0 5 September 9 2005

The Em bassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Em bassyrsquos earlier Note Verbales on the visit of a delegation of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 20-30 2005 in connection with enquiring into the facts and circum stances relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

It is confirmed th a t all logistical arrangem ents for official JMCI delegation and the accompanying eight deponents would be facilitated by the Embassy with no financial implications to the Russian side

It would be appreciated if the decision of the esteemed Ministry on visas for the visiting team may kindly be expedited

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

Copy to Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

No 5830 2DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Notes No SA16605 of 08 August No SA17405 of 18 August and No SA17905 and No SA18005 of 26 August this year has the honour to inform as follows

Justice Mukherjee as a Head of the Delegation set up by the Government of India to inquire about life of Subhas Chandra Bose pertaining to the period from 1945 onwards as well as the accompanying delegation will be given access to the documents kept in the Reading Halls o f the Federal and State Archives of the Subjects o f the Russian Federation in Moscow St Petersburg Irkutsk and Omsk through the Federal Archives Agency of the Russian Federation All expenditures related to the arrangements for their visit air-passage accommodation transport and medical insurance etc should be borne by the Indian side The Federal Archive Agency requests to inform Mr MK Mukherjee of the addresses of Federal Archives given below

1 Russian State Archive for social and political history - 103 821 Moscow 15 B Dmitrovka Str Director - Kiril M Anderson Tel 229 97 26

2 Russian State Archive of Audio- Photo Documents - 143 400 Moscow Region Krasnogorsk 1 Rechnaya Str Director - Lyudmila P Zapryagaeva Tel 562 14 64 563 08 45

3 Russian State Archive for Phono Documents 105 005 Moscow3 2ya Baumanskaya Str Director - Vladimir A Kolyada Tel 261 13 00

4 Russian State Naval Archive - 191 186 St Perersburg 36 Millionnaya Str Director - Vladimir S Sobolev Tel (812)312 11 37

The Federal Archives Agency recommends the following for work with the documents o f

- Central State Archive of St Petersburg - to apply to St Petersburg Archives Committee (193 015 St Petersburg 39 Tavricheskaya Str) Chairman of the Committee - Mr Anatoly D Yashkov Tel (812) 271 44 55)

- State Archive of Omsk Region - to apply to the Archive Department of the Ministry for State and Legal Development o f Omsk Region Head - Ms Galina Yu Borodina (644 099 Omsk 1 Tretyakova Str) Tel (381-2) 25 57 26

- State Archive of Irkutsk Region - to apply to Archive Department of Irkutsk Region Head - Ms Nadezhda K Shestakova (664003 Irkutsk 36a Gorkogo Str) Tel (395-2) 24 06 42

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow ldquo 15 ldquo September 2005

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA Moscow

slvNon-paper

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poccHftcKHe KOMneTeHTHBie opraHbi npoBenH H C H epnbm aiom H e H3bicKaHHfl

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KOTOpbix 6bm BbWBJieH p a fl AOKyMeHTOB b KOTopbix ynoMHHajiocb h m s C H E o ca

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2004 r b apxHBax OCE 46-th CTpaHHHHbiH OKyMeHT)

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9

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow___ Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337

Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 8 0 0 5 August 26 2005

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Embassyrsquos earlier communications regarding the visit of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 18-30 2005

By way of background information given below are the relevant details of JMCI -

(i) The Government o f India Ministry o f Home Affairs New Delhi vide a gazette notification No S 0339(B) dated 14th May 1999 appointed Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry for Inquiry into the Alleged Disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under Section (3) o f the Commission o f Inquiry Act o f 1952 (60 o f 1952)

(ii) As per this notification Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry shall inquire into all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945 and subsequent developments connected therewith including-(a) whether Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is dead or alive(b) I f he is dead whether he died in the plane crash as alleged(c) Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are the ashes o f Netaji(d) Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and if

so when and how(e) I f he is alive in respect o f his whereabouts

(iii) The Commission shall also examine the manner in which the exercise o f Scrutiny o f Publications touching upon the question o f death or otherwise on Netaji can be undertaken by the Central Government in the circumstances

(iv) Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry is funded by the Ministry o f Home Affairs Government o f India and is an official Commission

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

Copy to M inistry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV t J 001

A MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS (PP) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of material immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

Deputy Secretary (Russia) Ph 23015199 Intercom 2285

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

Dr T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

T c J i h irvMUt(SOMNATH GHOSH)

Deputy Secretary Ministry of External Affairs

New Deifci

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 1^1002

( t

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No R T I-2 pound _ A S (P P )2 0 0 7

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance_of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anufpfiar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) 6t

Appellate Authority (RTI) 09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

g^py forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - H W U(Ajal Choudhfy)

1 o 7

0 v

j N lsquoaA gt ^ 1 ^

04 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV

MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS-iEP-) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of matenal immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

D tpu ij u su ta i J iu J o ia JPh 23015199 Intercom 228S

D r T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

h i 7-

_100pound 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 002

Most Immediate

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No RTI-HiLAS(PP) 2007

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed bv Shri Anul Dhar under RTI 200S - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anurbhar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC ------ = = = = mdash

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) amp

Appellate Authority (RTI)09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

JZopy forwarded to JS(Eurasla) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - t t U X f (Ajal ChoudMfy)

k

Buff 43402

Square C u t Raider A4 434Made in London

Blue 43403 Green 43404 Grey 43405 Orange 43406 Pink 43407 Red 43408 Yellow 43409 Mauve 43414

Page 12: V ' . . . Disci* wi/K 0*s*/ - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ...

A l fr

p o litic a l d ip lo m a tic s o lu tio n H o w e v e r w e re fo c u s e d m ilita r i ly o n s t re n g th e n in g d e fe n s e o f o u r a llie s T h a t s o u r c o re ta s k R a s m u s s e n s a id b e fo re a m e e tin g w ith E U d e fe n s e m in is te rs

W e re r ig h t n o w c o n s id e r in g fu r th e r s te p s to s tre n g th e n o u r c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e A s I in d ic a te d th a t a ls o in c lu d e s w h a t I w o u ld ca ll a p p ro p r ia te d e p lo y m e n ts h e a d d e d c o m m e n tin g on th e c u rre n t a g e n d a

B u t its a b it to o e a r ly to g o in to d e ta ils a s to h o w w e w ill in c o n c re te te rm s s tre n g th e n c o lle c t iv e d e fe n s e B u t no o n e s h o u ld d o u b t o u r d e te rm in a t io n to e n s u re in te n s iv e d e fe n s e a n d p ro te c tio n o f a ll a ll ie s R a s m u s s e n s ta te d w ith n o fu r th e r d e ta ils o n th e a ll ia n c e s p ro s p e c t iv e s tra te g y

S p e a k in g a t p r io r m e e tin g s th e S e c re ta ry -G e n e ra l a ls o v o ic e d c o n c e rn s a b o u t c la s h e s in e a s te rn U k ra in e b e tw e e n p ro - fe d e ra liz a t io n p ro te s te rs a n d fo rc e s lo y a l to th e g o v e rn m e n t c a llin g on R u s s ia to d e -e s c a la te th e c r is is a n d pu ll b a c k its la rg e n u m b e r o f tro o p s in c lu d in g s p e c ia l fo rc e s fro m th e a re a a ro u n d U k ra in e s b o rd e r w h ile w a rn in g th a t a n y fu r th e r R u s s ia n m ilita ry in te r fe re n c e w o u ld o n ly d e e p e n R u s s ia s in te rn a t io n a l is o la t io n

R u s s ia n F o re ig n M in is te r S e rg e i L a v ro v re je c te d W e s te rn a c c u s a t io n s th a t R u s s ia w a s b e h in d th e c r is is in s o u th e a s te rn U k ra in e s a y in g n e ith e r R u s s ia n s e c u r ity a g e n ts n o r s o ld ie rs h a v e b e e n d e p lo y e d to th e re g io n

T h e M in is try s a id th a t N A T O is a tte m p tin g to u s e th e U k ra in ia n c r is is a s an im a g in a ry th re a t to u n ite th e a ll ia n c e s m e m b e rs p u s h in g fo r R u s s ia s is o la t io n

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Tel 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u s rs m e a g o v in

WI (AD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u F S (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P lease find a ttached a self-exp lanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f Subhash C hand ra Bose u n d er the R T I Act for kind necessary action a t your end

ahul S hrivastava) U n d er S ecre tary 7 Janu ary 2 0 0 8

No RTI5517606Ministry of External Affairs

( RTI Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquos note WI (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content of the note was conveyed to the Information Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government of

j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russian 1 Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the National

Achieve o f India

We have received a communication to this effect from the CIC which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(AK Nag) JS (Wei amp Inf) amp CPIO

December 18 2007

In fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r

gt O P KEJARIWAL fe laquoft-110067 B lo ck-IV 5 th F lo o r O ld JN U C a m p u s

N e w D e lh i-1 1 0 0 6 7 T ele fax 26717351

C entra In fo rm a t io n C o m m is s io n

November 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T I5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian Governm ent for disclosure of the N eta ji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar We have now received a le tte r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N eta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portan t from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere ind iv idualrsquos in terest He suggests and reuests therefore that this m ateria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India from abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m a tte r t h erefore is pursued w ith the I Russian G overnm ent so th a t w hatever m ateriah s o f va lue a nd in te rest to India m ay com e to us especially in the present case

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) Ministry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

Yours sincerely

(OP Kejariw al)

To 26 November 2007

Dr OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner Central Information Commission Old JNU Campus New Delhi - 110067

Subject R eq u est to Ind ian Errbassy to procure p ost-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian arch ives

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter NoR TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2007 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision N oC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made v this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the

Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Embassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

i

2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing ruies or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at times provide information A request from the Embassy of India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

^ would not yvant this exercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant records are identified the Embassy may procure them for the National Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India

since they are likely to provide a never befc 3 insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world w a r for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n L ____2 63 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mayzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez iden ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)[A rch ive o f the P res id en t o f the R uss ian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lsk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606-13-33 Fax (495 ) 606 -19 -66

2 Is to riko-dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del R F (ID D M ID) [H is torico-D ocum enta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in is try o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o lenska ia -S enna ia p loshchad 3234 Tel (495) 244-32-19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i po litik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (A V P RF)[A rch ive o f Fore ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241-04-80

4 Tsen tra lrsquonyi a rkh iv M in is te rs tva o bo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f D e fense]142100 M oskovskaia ob las t P odo lrsquosk ul K irova 74 Tel (495) 715-90-05 (0967) 54-00-03

5 G lavno je R azvedyva te lno je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilitary In te lligence D irecto ra te arch ives Address not know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 TsentraPnyi a rkh iv Federa lno i s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (TsA FSB R ossjj)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F edera l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzhby vneshne i razvedki RF (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)[O perational A rch ive o f the Fore ign In te lligence S erv ice ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 5110Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 245 -33 -68 Fax (495) 247-05-29

8 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (TsA M VD R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In te rna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovocherem ushk inska ia 67 (Archive) ul Zoi i A leksa nd ra K osm odem iansk ikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-90

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7 Jan 2008 1626

NameFax Number

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C

L i

DIRlt ERS)MEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1626 P0105

M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Te l 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u srs m eag o v in

WI(AJD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u FS (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P le as e find a ttached a self-explanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f S ubhash C hand ra Bose under the RT Act for kind necessary action a t your end

lahul S h rivastava) U n d e rs e c re ta ry 7 J a n u a ry 2 0 0 8

DIR(ERS gtMEflRNQ235C 7 Jan 2008 16=26 P020b

No RTI5517606 Ministry of External Affairs

( RTX Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquo s note W I (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser o f complete correspondence

with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash | Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content o f the note was conveyed to the Information j Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant bull The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government o f j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russiani Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the Nationali bull

W e have received a communication to this effect from the CIC

i s J

Achieve o f India

which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(A K Nag) JS (W ei amp Inf) amp CPIO1

December 18 2007

DIR( ERS gtMEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1627 P 0305

gt O P KEJARIWALSTTJprf

-MiX TR 4 58 cfcr TPTT

fcc=6ft11 0 0 6 7 Biock-lV 5th Floor Oki JNU Campus

I n fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r New Delhi-110067 Telefax 26717351

Centra Information Commission

Novem ber 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T 5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian G overnm ent fo r disclosure of the N etaji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar W e have now received a le t te r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N e ta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portant from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere individuals in terest He suggests and reuests th ere fo re that this m a te ria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India f rom abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m atte r therefore is pursued w ith the Russian Governm ent so th a t w hatever m ateria l is of va lue and interest to India may come toTis especially in the present case

Yours sincerely

(O P Kejariw al)

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) M inistry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C 7 Jan 2008 16 = 2 P 0405

02 6 N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 7

Dr OP Kejariwal information Com missioner Central Information Commission

+ Old JNU Campus N ew Delhi - 110067

Subject R e q u e s t to Ind ian Em bassy to procure post-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian a rc h ive s

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter N o R TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2 0 07 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTi Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision NoC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

lt think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Em bassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

4 2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing rules or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at tim es provide information A request from the Embassy o f India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

I would not w ant this e xercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant fcS ords s re identified the Em bassym ay procure them fo rtheN atTonal Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India since they are likely to provide a never befc s insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

1

DIR ( ERS) ME ARN0235C7 Jan 2008 16=27

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world war for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n t 2 6 3 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mazzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez idsn ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)Archive o f th e P re s id e n t o f the R ussian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lrsquosk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606 -13 -33 Fax (495) 606-19-66

2 Is to riko -dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del RF (ID D M ID) [H is to rico -D ocum en ta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in istry o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o ie nska ia -S en n a ia p loshchad rsquo 3234 Tel (495) 244 -32 -19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i p o lit ik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (AVP RF)[A rch ive o f Fo re ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241 -04 -80

4 Tsen tra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva obo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f th e M in is try o f D e fense] - bull -142100 M oskovska ia o b la s t P odo lsk ul K irova74 Tel (495 )715-90-05 (0 9 6 7 )5 4 -0 0 -0 3

5 G lavno je R a zve dyva te ln o je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilita ry In te lligence D irectora te a rch ives A ddress no t know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv FederaPnoi s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (T sA FS B R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F e de ra l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzh by vneshne i razvedki R F (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)(O perational A rch ive o f the F o re ign In te lligence Service ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 51 10Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 2 4 5 -33 -6 8 Fax (495) 247-05-29

Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (T sA M VD R ossii)[Central A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In terna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovoche rem ushk inska la 67 (Archive) ul Z o i i A le ksa n d ra K osm odem ianskikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-30

ffs

amp-3gt) i c y v

Embassy of India Moscow(Political Wing) f t

r r v ^Subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with USSRRussia over the

disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 reg

Reference remarks made by the Ambassador on FR a letter from JS (Wei ampInf) addressed to Shri OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner copy endorsed to Min (Pol) on the above subject

Back ground of the case On receipt o f a copy o f AS (PP )rsquo s Note No RTI- 36AS(PP)07 dated 942007 on the above subject Mission vide fax dated 130407 forwarded few copies o f Missionrsquos correspondence with the local authorities on the subject to AS(PP) -------- At F A

Subsequently on receipt o f JS(ERS)rsquo s letter No 1 lJS(ERS)2007 dated 20407 enclosed with A S (PP )rsquo s Note No 30AS(PP)07 amp JS(CNV)rsquo s Note along with copies o f correspondence available in CNV Division on the subject Mission has sent a Note Verbale No SA8907 dated 1752007 to Russian Foreign Ministry requesting for the views o f the Russian side whether the information provided by them could be released to the appellant -------At FB

Documents provided by Russian side and forwarded to the Commission

(i) Documents initially provided by the Russian side attached with Note Verbale No1423 DA dated 28h June 2001 which was forwarded to the Ministry on August

31 2001 may please be seen a t-----FC in the linked file

(ii ) On the basis of an affidavit submitted to the Justice Mukherjee Commission a Note Verbale No SA25904 dated December 22 2004 was sent to the M FA and reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 13142 DA dated 4 March 2005 enclosed with a copy of letter from Mr V Sayadyants to the Soviet Ambassador to Iran Mr IV Sadchikov regarding the political situation in India in 1946 may please be seen a t--------FD in the linked file

Response of the Russian side

( i) A reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 42952 DA dated 2262007 stating therein that ldquo the documents from Russian Archives handed over in June 2001 were for official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up by it for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo This was conveyed to the Ministry vide letter No MOSPOL125190 dated 472007 --------At FE

P2

2

Again on receipt o f a copy o f the decision o f Central Information Commission vide No RTI5517606 dated 22082007 (At FF) Mission took up the matter with M FA vide Note Verbale No SA17307 dated 1892007 for which a reply was received vide No 42952DA dated 11007 reiterating their view that the documents from RussianArchives were submitted exclusively for official use by the GOI including Thiswas conveyed to the Ministry vide E-gram dated 10102007-----At FG

Submitted as desired by Min (Pol) please

2

f^TT FTRTTM IN ISTR Y O F E X TE R N A L A F FA IR S

NEW D ELH I

Dated 2nd November 2007 I gt gt v

gt ldquo $

NoRTI551762006

Shri OP KejariwalInformation Commissioner Central Information Commission Club Building Old JNU Campus New Delhi-110 067 bull

Subject- Disclosure o f complete correspondenc e with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RT[ Act 2005

SirAs per directives o f the Honrsquoble Central Information

Commission contained in Para 13 o f the decisioNoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi seeking certified copies o f the complete correspondence this Ministry had with the Governments of the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

9 ^ 2 Our Embassy in Moscow again approached the Government of Russian Federation to get their consent to the disclosure o f documents under reference but the Government of Russian Federation reiterated that documents were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government o f India for investigation o f Netajee Subhash Chandra Bose disappearance

3 However they state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note o f the Embassy can approach the authorities o f the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy o f India for permission to get to know the M aterials deposited in Federal and State Archives o f the Russian Federation

OV-

g ji)

j d L

Yours faithfully

(AK Nag) Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer

_ f

- i V lt L

Copy for information forwarded to-

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110 018

2 Director(ERS) Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi with reference to his Note NoW l(AD)5511007 dated 25102007

Minister (Pol) Embassy o f India Moscow

Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp Central Public Information Officer

N o W l(A D ) 5 5 1 1 0 0 7 M inistry o f External A ffa irs

(ERS D ivision)

W ith re ference your N ote No R T I5 5 1 7 6 0 6 dated 2 2 8 2 0 0 7 to JS (E R S ) regarding d isclosure o f com plete correspondence w ith the USSRRussia o v e r th e d is a p p e a ra n c e o N e ta ji S u b h a s h C h a n d ra B o s g u n d e r R T I A c t 2005 p lease find enclosed th e unofficial translation o f th e note verb ale dated 1 0 c to b e r rsquo0 7 sent by R ussian M inistry o f Foreign Affairs in reply to the note verbale sent by our E m bassy in M o scow on the subject

(A rya S an d e e p ) D irector (E R S )

2 5 O ctob er 2 0 0 7

JS (W ei amp Inf ampCentral Public In form ation O fficer

v C op y to M in ister (Pol) E m bassy o f India M oscow

U n o ffic ia l T ra n s la tio n

Quote

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highest consideration

Moscow 01st October 2007

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

For official use only

E-GRAM

NoMOSPOL 125 190 laquo y October 10 2007

From To

Indembassy Moscow Foreign New Delhi

AStERS) from Minister (Poll

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

Q u o teUnofficial translation

Moscow 01st October 2007

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

sd-(Dr Subhakanta Behera)

Minister (Political)

a I JH

NICEMAIL r^T^X Page 1 o f 1

y

Current Folder SentMaill y II

I - Compose rsquo^ Addresses ^ Folders EOptions gt Search ^ H e lp sij^Fetch ^ss^Calen

Message List | Delete | Edit Previous I Next Forward I Forward as Attachment | Reply | Reply A ll Message as N ew ------------1 ----------- 1-------------------------------- 1 ldquo r J 1

Subject Message from EI MoscowFrom dcmmoscowmeagovinDate Wed October 10 2007 110 pm

To jsersmeagovinPriority NormalOptions V iew Full Header | V iew Printable V ersion | Add to Addressbook

Attachments

untitled -[l] Ok [texthtm l] download | view

MQS10100716dth 175 k [ applicationoctet-stream ] download

10)0o

NoMOSpOL125190 October 10 2007

From Indernbassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

AS(BRS) from Minister (Pol)

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

Q u o teUnofficial translation

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of

September 20o7 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22laquod of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

For official use only

1

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

Moscow 01st October 2007

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Minister (Political)

No64682DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and

the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 da ted the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

In add ition to the Note o f the M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion No 429 5 2D A dated the 22 nd o f June 2007 in form tha t docum ents from R ussian a rch ives w ere subm itted e xc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the

the Com m issionAfor investiga tion o f N eta jee S ubhas C handra B ose d isappea rance d e ta iis ^s ta b lis h e d by the G ove rnm en t o f IndiaD

p TU-Indian c itizen m en tioned in the Note o f the E m bassy has ^ f fg h t th rough the E m b a s sy tfo request and to fee- get to k n o w ^ a te r ia ls depos ited in Federa l and S ta te A rch ives o f the R ussian F ede ra tion w ith the perm iss ion o f its authorities

The M in is try ava ils th is opportun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest conside ra tion

M oscow 01st O ctober 2007

A ppend ix N ote N o4295 2D A

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

ampJk i A

lAK i

M

bull J U h J t ^ J JLflJ L (L S U s ^ S u (jrcopywO ^ (V|Pj iVv ^ |0]laquo f 1 r i r I - r r J I - 1Olgt-^ |1 CJ |ltg fkiiXn

V j d t v a jx h a u j j u r v w i - jo j - d ^ ^

o 1

r

JVo 6 f6 pound l2 J k

riDHJioxceHneHCXHOTa

Nlti 4 2 9 5 2 M

MHHHCTepcTBO H H ocTpaHHSix Deji P o c c h h c k o h ltIgtejiepaHHH

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nepe^aBajiHCb am ocjmijHanbHoro Hcn0Jib30BaHM HCKHioHHTejibHO

IlpaBHTejibCTBOM H h ^ h h b to m MHCJie fljia p a 6 oTbi ynpegtKeHHOH hm

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C y S x a c HaH flpbi B oca

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MHHHCTepCTBO IIOJIb3 yeTCJI CJiynaeM HT0 6 bI B0 3 0 6 H0 BHTb

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No42952DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and quo ting the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 dated the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

D ocum ents from R ussian a rch ives m entioned in the N ote o f the E m bassy w ere subm itted in particu lar in June 2001 exc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the use by the C om m iss ion fo r inves tiga tion o f N e ta jee S ubhas C handra Bose d isappea rance deta ils estab lished by the G ove rnm en t o f India

W e a lso in form tha t the access to Federa l and S ta te A rch ive s o f the R ussian Federa tion is a llow ed w ith the perm iss ion o f Federa l a rch ives A g en cy (R osarch ives) the read ing in read ing room s o f concre te a rch ives w ith th e perm ission o f a rch ives s truc tu res au tho rities o f co rrespond ing bod ies on the basis o f appea l o f E m bassies sc ien tific research ins titu tes and pub lic o rgan iza tions

The M in is try ava ils th is oppo rtun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest considera tion

M oscow 02nd June 2007

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

MHHHCTepcTBO PiHocTpaHHbix 0eji Pocchhckoh

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No SA8907 ot 17 Mah 2007 rofla HMeeT qecrb coo6ihhtigt

cjreiyiomee

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nOCOJIbCTBY PECnYBJIHKH HHffHH

rMocKBa

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MHHHCTepcTBO nojib3yeTCfl cuynaeM h t o 6 m b o3o 6 h o b h t b

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laquoJ jpound gt h i o h h 2007 ro^aI i sect f i f H o

M ocKBaWo I S P

NoSA17307

gt v

TRcT ltTv5f rram TTWTEMBASSY OF INDIA

MOSCOWriOCOIbCTBO HhaMM

MocKBa

18 September 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure of entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

J rThe Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent

vdeg a u th o r ity (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sidersquos view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set

^ up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji V A Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not

^ disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if suchaterial could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry it

could be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissionrsquos work is over Thecompetent authority is of the opinion that the material in question could be disclosed

W ^ deg the Appellant They further advised the Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi to formal clearance for the disclosure of the entire material on the above subject

J ^ ^ ^ f r o r y ^ e ^ i l i s s i a n side

- esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure of the above material maylease be communicated to this Mission at an early date

-

f

mbassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to tfte ^ in ijP r^W f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ^ of the Russian F e d e r ^ J ^(2nd Asia Department) 4 - 1 ^ gt i Csy~~~ aM o s c o w 1

6-8 yn BopoHUOBO rioie 131940 r MocKBa

Ten 007-095-783-75-35 007-095-783-75-34

wwwindianembassyru

tjgt2 t 007-095-916-36- 3 2 007-095-975-23-37

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR

JS(WelampInf) amp Central Public Information Officer has forwarded u s the CIC decision with request to initiate action in accordance with p a ra -13 th e Information Commission is all for disclosure of the material The CIC does not see any reason why the m aterial should not be disclosed now to any researcher since the Justice Mukherjee Commissionrsquos work is over Accordingly it has advised the Ministry of External Affairs to seek the formal clearance from the Russian authorities in the m atter

2 DCMrsquos last comm unication with JS(ERS) was made on 4th July 2007 DCM had forwarded the translation of the note verbale received from the Russian Foreign Office

3 In the light of above we may again send a note verbale to the Foreign Office in accordance with p a ra -13 of the CIC decision

Subm itted please

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

Sept 13 2007

NoSA17307 $ September 2007

The Embassy o f India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure o f entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

The Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent authority (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sides view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if such material could be made available to the Justice Mukheerjee Commission for inquiry they see no reason why-thisO material should iw k be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissions work is over The competent authority is of the ifem opinion that the material in question should be disclosed to the Appellant They further advised the Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi to obtain formal clearance for the disclosure o f the entire material on the above subject from the Russian side

The esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure o f the above material may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2nd Asia Department) Moscow

No R TI5517606 Ministry o f External Affairs

(RTI Division)

Subject - Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

Please find enclosed herewith Central Information Com m issionrsquos decision NoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar o f New Delhi

2 It is requested that necessary action may please be initiated in accordance with para-13 o f the CIC decision

EnclAs above

JS (Eiirasia)

(AiC Nag) Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer22-08-2007

mdash o j^ VxkxraquoA

OJLgt ^

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X k ~ Ajo-vyWpound

(XaA

- e j

(e-US)

V mdash j ^ bull

S c

X H bull ( 0 r h

gf if raquofn2(gt0Dy N o pound 3 amp RTI D1V200gt

Central Information Commission ilaquoWDlaquoted4i^USd|ampL~

sect $ I| | i yyNoCICOKA200600671

Dated 10 August 2007

Name of the Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar263 Kangra NiketanVikaspuri New Delhi - 110 018

Name of the Public Authority Ministry of External Affairs

Background

Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi filed an application with the PIO Ministry of

External Affairs on 2 August 2006 for seeking certified copies of the complete

correspondence the Ministry of External Affairs had with the Governments of

the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash

Chandra Bose

2 The PIO vide his letter dated 25 August 2006 informed the Appellant that

the request to the Government of USSR and the Russian Federation were made

through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels The PiO also stated that the

requisite copies of the correspondence could not be disclosed at it involves the

relations with a foreign State and so was exempt from disclosure as per the

provisions of Clause 8(1 )(a)amp(f) of the RTI Act

3 Dissatisfied with the reply of the PIO the Appellant filed an appeal with

the first Appellate Authority on 23 September 2006 who vide his letter dated 6

November 2006 again denied disclosure of the documents taking recourse to the

Section 8(1 )(a) and (i) The bench of Dr OP Kejariwal Information

mmissioner heard the matter on 23 March 2007

4 The main stand of the Respondents to the information sought by the

Appellant which is regarding the correspondence between India and the

Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia was that this

information could not be disclosed as it was likely to affect the countryrsquos

relationship with another State On making enquiries from the Respondents it

was clear that this correspondence had neither been seen nor been examined

by an expert to come to such a conclusion Therefore the Commission felt

that the Applicantrsquos application had been treated casually

5 The Commission then directed the Respondents to first have this

correspondence examined by their own experts and if need be by an outside

expert who they could rely on and then take a firm decision In case the

experts came to the conclusion that the applicability of the denial clause was

not relevant in the case the material could be disclosed to the Appellant

However in case the Respondents came to the conclusion that the relations

between the Governments of india and Russia would be affected through the

disclosure of this information the Commission would like the issue to be

settled only after a reference had been made to the Government of Russia

6 The matter was taken up for a second hearing by the bench of Dr OP

Kejariwal Information Commissioner on 10 August 2007

7 Shri AK Naag Joint Secretary (Inf amp Wei) amp CPIO and Shri Nand

Kishore Under Secretary (RTI) represented the Respondents

8 The Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar was present in person

Decision

9 The Commission heard both the sides During the hearing the

Respondents stated before the Commission that they had received a response

from the Government of the Russian Federation Moscow in pursuance of the

Commissionrsquos earlier Order in the matter dated 23 March 2007

10 This letter stated ldquoaccording to the correspondence received from the

Embassy of India Moscow the Russian Foreign Office has stated that the

documents handed over by them in June 2001 were meant only for the GOIrsquos

official use and for the work of the Commission in investigations into the

disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo

11 During the hearing the Appellant stated that his request included the

entire correspondence between the Governments of India and the USSR

regarding nf NPtajirsquos disappearance The Commission accepted this

request and directed the Respondents to clearly mention this while seeking the

approval of the Russian authorities for disclosure of this material

12 Also during the hearing the Appellant made a plea for a copy of the

letter received by the Ministry of External Affairs resulting from the application

that he had made on the issue The Commission saw no objection in this

request and directs the Respondents to supply a copy of this letter to the

Appellant

13 The Commission further feels that if the material could be made

available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the

disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be

disclosed now to any Researcher now that that Commissionrsquos work is over The

information Commission therefore is all for disclosure of this material to the

Appellant However it advises the Ministry of External Affairs to seek a formal------ ------ - _ ____________ ___

clearance from the Russian Authorities in the matter

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110018

Shri AK Nag Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) a Central Public Information Officer Room No 207 Akbar Bhawan Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110021

3 Shri Ajay Choudhary Additional Secretary amp Appellate Authority Room No 144 C South Block Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110011

4 Officer Incharge NSC

5 Press E Group CIC

(OP Kejariwal) Information Commissioner

Cc

The Statesman

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17 August 2007

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01

[ India ]-

Netaji filesrsquo disclosure ordered

New Delhi Aug 16 The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the external affairs ministry to disclose its correspondence with the erstwhile USSR over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra BoseldquoThe Commission feels that if the material could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be disclosed to any researcher nowrdquo information commissioner Mr OP Kejariwal saidThe Commission made this observation while hearing Mission Netajirsquos plea for certified copies of the complete correspondence between India and the USSR over Netajirsquos disappearance in 1945 The CIC in its decision relied on a letter from officials in Moscow that said the documents which were handed over to India were meant for ldquoofficial use and for the work o f the Mukherjee Commission n PTI

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http wwwthestatesmannetpagenewsphpclid=2amptheme=ampusrsess=lampid=l 66383 8172007

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Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR and noting of FS(Pol) thereon

2 It seems the Russian Foreign Office does not want to add anything beyond what they have already pu t in the note verbale of Ju n e 22 2007 However if the said note verbale is read together with the bilateral Agreement of 2000 it becomes clear th a t there is no bar oft supplying confidential information to persons asking for the sam e According to Article 3b ot the Agreement decisions to hand over particular classified information shall be taken by the Parties on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the laws of their States

3 Moreover as a scrutiny of the correspondences between the SovietRussian and Indian sides shows they do not contain any sensitive information All the correspondences convey the result of the search in the Russian Archives Perhaps tha t is why JS(CNV) was inclined to suggest the disclosure of the correspondences

4 Given my positive view on the m atter for disclosure of the correspondences I would however like to propose tha t the Ministry may be sent a copy of the note verbale received from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to take into cognizance of the Agreement of 2000 before taking any final decision on the m atter If needed LampT Division in the Ministry may also be consulted

Subm itted please

(r

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

July 3 2007

No 42952DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation and in reference to the Note SA8907 dated 17th May 2007 has honour to inform the following -

The documents from Russian archives referred to in the Embassyrsquos note in particular handed over in June 2001 for official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set up by it for the investigation of circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

cm)

a

W e further inform that the access to materials belong to federal and state archives of the Russian Federation is given with the consent of Federal Agency of Achieves (Rosarchiv) and permission to work in reading halls of agency archives is given by authorities of archives belong to concerned agencies on direct requests by embassies scientific amp research institutions and social organizations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation assurances of its highest consideration

^ ft o j L (vLoo jP xjlJ~plt~ Moscow 22 June 2007

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NoS -^ V JS (E R S )0 7

I

9 hTIclt o agtA

P ^ gt r^ yV lt gt V gilaquo )laquo A ^ t Ministry o f External AffairsSouth Block New D elh i-110 011 M ail jsers m eagovin

J L ^ 7 7 0 A A t u - Phone 23017411

PhFax 2 3 0 1 9 2 2

j 3 gt kC ) h ^ Alt 5 ^ ^ M-V r Vw

T his is w ith reference to m y le tter no 11 J S (E R S)2007 d a ted April 20 2007 regard ing a req u e s t m ade u n d e r ldquoRight to in form ationrdquo (copy enclosed for ready reference) It is req u ested th a t th e R u ssian s id e rsquos resp o n se m ay kindly be in tim ated^atjan early da te ^ ^

rajj-vMaaS

Y ours sincerely

(Dr J Bhagwati

X ^h ri D ivyabh M an ch an d a D eputy C hief of M ission E m bassy of Ind ia Moscow

Copy to

AS(PP) JS(CNV)

(Dr J Bhagwati)

No 11 JS (E R S ) 2 0 0 7

Deari

Please refer to AS (PP) an d Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 M arch 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence betw een the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra B osersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E u rasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm w ith the R ussian side w hether they would have any objection to release of correspondence received from them on th is subject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos response m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

S d -(Dr J Bhagwati)

Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) A^(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

S

20 April 2007h

( Dr J Bhagwati )

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tel 7837535 Fax 9752337

NoSA8907 17 May 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 2YuA dated 8 January 1992 and subsequent correspondence (viz No 73YuA dated 27 October 1995 N 547 dated 20 March 1997 19073DA dated 20 March 2003 and 59542DA dated 6 October 2004) including a letter from Ambassador Yu Kutov regarding information about the reported stay of a former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

An Indian citizen had filed a petition under the Right to Information Act 2005 for obtaining all informationdocuments relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The information obtained from the Russian side was denied to the appellant at that time

^Thereupon an appeal was filed by the concerned citizen and currently the V Government of India is considering whether the informationdocuments

-t obtained from Russian authorities on the subject could be released toappellant Views of the Russian side whether the information provided by

( them could be released to the appellant would be essential for the^ f Government of India to take decision on the matter

The esteemed Ministryrsquos views on the matter may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the

s of its highest consideration

f V Ministry of Foreign AffairsL o f the Russian Federation

cr - A sia Department) ^V ^^(V io sco w

A V

Ministry o f External Affairs South Block N ew D elh i-110 011 Mail jsers m eagovinMail jsers m ea Phone 23017411

i]r

Phone 23017411 PhFax 23011922

S e c r e t

No H JS (E R S )2007

Dear L b ]

Please refer to AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence between the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra Bosersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E urasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm with the R ussian side w hether they would have

amp any objection to release of correspondence received from them on thissubject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos re~sponse m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

^Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) AS(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

( Dr J B hagw ati)

V

V No^5AS(PP)2007

Right to Inform atioi Timt

Most Im

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)rsquos Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Inform ation Act 2 005

Shri Anuj Dhar had initially requested this Ministry last year requesting form information on the following two points-

1 Certified copies of complete correspondence the MEA has had with the Governments o f the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

2 Confirmation on whether the Ministry had sought information from the erstwhile Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation by merely issuing Notes Verbale or some serious efforts were ever made at a higher (say Ministerial) level to uncover the mystery surrounding the fate of Netaji

filed an appeal with the CIC The appeal was considered by the CIC on 23 March 2007 The CIC has directed that the Ministry should have the documents under reference carefully examined by a panel of experts to determine whether the information sought by the applicant can be given or not

While we have not received the final decision of the Commission this would a time-bound exercise and it is therefore requested that JS(CNV) may please make the records available to me for a preliminary examination so that expeditious action can be taken on receipt of the formal decision of the CIC

The information was denied to Shri Dhar by this Ministry whereupon he

(AjAdditional Secretary (PP) fit

Appellate Authority (RTI) 28 March 2007

JS(CNV)

Copy forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with the request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me as soon as possible

o f iHC-ifl no 3 20 HOO bull rsquobull bullP

vrrwr 5fn tnrvtEMBASSY OF IN D IA

6-0 Ulitsa Obukha M O S C O W

Tel No 237-0820

t t v

Septe mb er 16 1991

The Embassy of I nd ia presents its compli me nt s to the Mi nistry of For ei gn Aff ai rs of the USSR and has the ho nour to enclose her ew it h a c o ll ect io n opound documents or NetSji S ub ha sh C h an d ra B o s e at one time a President of the Ind-ior N at io na l C o n g r e s s and a leading fig are in ths Indian freedom movement received from H r _ Ch it ts S s s u M em b er of P ar l ia m en t and Gene ra l Secretary All r d i a Forward Bloc a group founded by Meta ji Subhas-i X h 3 n d r a Fgt = $ e ord at present a c o n s t it ue n t of tne Left Front G o v e r n shyment in the Indian state of West Bengal

2 In these d o c u me n ts there are su ggestions quotingthe then Soviet A m b a s s a d o r in Kabul and the Soviet Vice Consu l in T e h er an to the effect that Netaji Subhash Chandra

itighr have found his way to the Soviet Union after the alleged ae ro p la n e cr as h in August 1 9 A 5 As recently as March 5 I990 The H i n d u s t a n Time an Indian daili n e w s p a p e r quoted a scholar of the Soviet Institute if Or ie nt al S t ud ie s to the effect t h a t there are t c S o v i e t sc ho la rs who have applied to tne Covernen-c of the US Sr for pe rm is si on to e xa min e cla ss if ie d documents

3- In the light of the current policy on Soviet nationala r ch i ve s the Embassy of India would appreciate if an rate- rial that sheds light on the fate of Netaji Subhush Chandra Dose in the a rch iv es of S ov ie t or ga nisations including s ec u r i t y o r g a ni s at io ns is made available to the Embassy of India

A The Ere bossy of India n vails itself of this opportunityto renew to the M i n s t r y of Foreign Affairs of the USSH the a s s u r a n c e s of its highest c on si deration

Seal

M i n i t r y of Foreign Af fa ir s Covernment of USSRM o s c o bullgt

E rc 1 a s a b o v e

if nI

(rough translation)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation

No ZAuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that according to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no information whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow8 January 1992

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

trrlter r_ EM B A S S Y OF INDIA6-8 Ulitsa Voiomsovo Polyo

N o S A 8 3 9 5 July 27 19SS

The Embassy of India presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to correspondence resting with their Note Verbaie No 2YuA of S January 15S2 regarding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Enclosed is a booklet which contends that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may have come to the former Soviet Union in 1945 There has teen further speculation in this context reportedly on the basis of archival materials In view of this it would be highly appreciated if ail materials available on the subject couid be examined for a final determination on whether or not Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose entered or stayed anywhere in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 or subsequently

The Embassy of India avails itself of tnis opportunity to renew to tne Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration - bull -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (South Asia Department) Moscow

v

(Unofficial T ransl

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

73YuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central Archival Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents^of Modern History no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to

renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 1995

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1995 Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years W e have now been informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory otthe former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador Kotov forwarding the note categorically asserts th a t we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soilrdquo and that extensive research can hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovrsquos letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

2 I would like you to please bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

(Pripuran Singh Haer)

0 M0 5 F f l I I 0 bull rsquo 1 ~ 6 C

Pripuran Singh Haer Charge dAffaires

MOSPOL125190

r o h o11 bull i bull r o j o o r i

trn s laquoPi j a r m rrcsl p - igt llsquo7EM B A S S Y OF INDIA

6-8 U l iu a Votomsovo PolyM O S C O W

Tel No S i 7-CS20 Tolex 413409 INDEMSU

Tgts Fa bullbull-9 3

October 31 19S5

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1SSS Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years We have now bee informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1595 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is nc

s informatcn whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory cf the formeSoviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador

ji Kotov forwarcing the note categorically asserts that we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soil and that extensive research can

1 hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovsbullvu letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

v jf2 1 wouid iike you to piesse bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

kt (Pripuran Singh Haer)

Shri R L Narayan Joint Secretary (EE) Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi

diams i iL Mr Ror on Sen Arnba ssador of Ind ia to th e R u s s i a n F e d e r a t i o n

D e a r R o n e n

E n c lo sed Y o u will find o u r no te c o n c e rn in g S u b h a sh C h a n d ra

Bose D o bel ieve th a t we have t r ied o u r best to discover any relevant

I actsU n f o r tu n a te ly I a m p ro fo u n d ly d is t ressed being u n a b le to provide

t any posi t ive in f o r m a t i o n on th e subject o f no t th e least im p o r t a n c e for

the In d ia n public Alas by now it a p p e a r s that we can be su re tha t Netnj has neve r set foot o n th e R u ss ia n soil Extensive re sea rch car r ied out

u p o n th e latest r eq u es t o f Y o u r s can h a rd ly leave any d oub ts to lhgt

effect

S in ce re ly Y ours Y a K o t o v

w

r lt W 3 lt tfr s t pound 2 3 i

Intervention by H EM rAnatoly MDrukov Ambassador of Russia in India during the

eress-conference on the 210296 in le Foreign Correspondentsrsquo Club__________

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is

deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people

who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73Y uA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

inform ation on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

m uch em otion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

j i

gt J -

i

Directorate of Foreign Relatilt Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

March 20 1997

N 547

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to you and has the honour to forward herewith the letter of Mr L Joychandra Singh addressed a second time to the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

In reply to this repeated query the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence (CAMD) of the Russian Federation has pointed out that there is no other data relating to the fate of Subhash Chandra Bose besides the information conveyed to you vide letter No1843 dated October 28 1996 (enclosing No222672 of the CAMD)

We request you to kindly inform Mr L Joychandra Singh of the above reply from the Archives

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Military Wing of the Embassy of India in Moscow the assurances of its highest consideration

Military Attache in the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation

Brig D Singh

No 19073DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federations presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassyrsquos note verbale No SA 1003 dated 8 January 2003 and the Ministryrsquos note verbale No 1423DA dated 28 June 2001 has the honour to inform you about the following

A search was conducted for documents related to the fate ofSCBose in the following federal archives

Russian State Military Archive (RGVA) Russian State Archives of Socio-Political History (RGASPI) State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) and Russian State Historical Archives of the Far East (RGIA DV) The information requested for was not found in the GARF RGVA and RGIA DV archives

Copies of the documents found in the RGIA DV Archives were sent to the Embassy in 2001

No information has been found about the fate of SC Bose in the Central Archives of the Russian FSB the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in the m anuscript section of the Russian State Library or in the Russian State Archives of Photographic Documents (RGAKFD)

We would also like to inform th a t the personnel archives of Eva Yakovlevna Lyusternik were sent after her death to the Russian Academy of Sciencesrsquo Institute of Oriental Studies and the open part of the archival m aterial on IV Stalin was sent from the archives of the President of the Russian Federation to RGASPI

The Ministry would like to use th is opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

M inistry of Foreign AtlairsR u ssian F ed eratio n

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Moscow 20th March 2003

^ M la iet ja Affaireo f the deration

No S 9 5 4 2 A A

The M inistry of Foreign Affairs of th e R ussian Federation p resen ts its com plim ents to the Em bassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and in continuation of Note No 55382XA dated Septem ber 14 2004 h as the honour to intorm th a t Information sought on the fate of Ind iarsquos p rom inent political figure Netaji S u b h ash C hand ra Bose was no t found in the C entral Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia

The M inistry avails of th is opportun ity to renew to the Em bassy the a ssu ra n ce s of its highest consideration

M oscow October 6 2004

E m bassy o f th e Republic o f India M oscow -

Ministry o f External Affairs CNV Division

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Information Act

Reference note at FR from AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) regarding CICrsquos directives on appeal by Shri Anuj Dhar who was denied information requested concerning disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his whereabouts in the former USSRRussia i f any

2 Vide letter o f 020806 at FA Shri Dhar had requested for (a) certified copies o f complete correspondence between MEA and the Government o f USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referring to Our Embassyrsquos intervention with the Russian MFA in 199219951997 2001 and 2003 and (b) whether MEA sought information from the Russian side in a routine manner through issue o f Note Verbales or some serious efforts were made at a higher level

3 Vide issue o f 250806 at FB CPIO on the basis o f inputs from CNV Division replied to Shri Dhar conveying that (a) requests to the Governments o f the USSRRussia were made through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels and (b) requisite copies o f the correspondence sought cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under provisions of Clause 8(l)(a)amp (f) o f the RTI Act Under Clause8(1)(a) there is noobligation to give any citizen information disclosure o f which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity o f India the security strategic scientific or economic interests o f the State relation with foreign State or lead to incitement o f an offence Under Clause 8(l)(f) there is no obligation to give ldquoinformation received in confidence from foreign governmentrdquo

4 Shri Dhar vide his letter o f 230906 at FC had appealed to then Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) on the ground that the reasons given by the CPIO denying him the information aslced for are untenable With regard to the intervention with the USSRRussian Government for information on Netajirsquos disappearance Shri Dhar seeks to know if this matter was pursued at a higher (say Ministerial) level Regarding Ministryrsquos resort to Clause 8(l)(a) Shri Dhar wrote that this is not intelligible to him as to how correspondence dealing with the disappearance o f a national hero can be threat to India or its relations with USSR which does not exist and has been disowned by the successor state o f the Russian Federation He has also questioned as to why information received in this matter o f national importance should be confidential In response to the appeal C lW Division has conveyed to JS (Inf) and CPIO vide its note dated 011106 at FD that (a) the information sought for by Shri Dhar ie whether serious efforts were made with interventions at higher levels with the Russian Government to seek information on Netajirsquos disappearance does not constitute ldquoinformationrdquo as defined in the RTI Act and the question is anecdotal in nature and (b) that copies o f correspondence cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under the relevant clauses in the RTI Act Though there is no evidence on this NGO file it is our understanding that these views were conveyed by the Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) to Shri Dhar Presumably what was meant was that Shri Dhar was seeking the opinion o f the MEA as to whether the efforts made by GOl in its interventions with the Russian Government were serious or just routinely taken up Since such lsquoopinionrsquo is not covered under Clause 1(0 hence it cannot be construed as lsquoinformationrsquo

6 The undersigned has gone through all available records in NGO Section pertaining to correspondence with the USSRRussian Governments seeking information on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose In particular attention is drawn to a note recorded in December 1998 at FE on linked file giving the chronological background to suchcorrespondence starting from May 1990 in the Note for Supplementaries prepared for Rajya Sabha Starred Question No 174 for answer on 101298 dealing with the Asiatic Societyrsquos request for access to Russian archives It may also be seen from the attached

A

Anticipated Questions and their Answersrsquo that Ministry was willing to disclose the contents o f the Note Verbale received from the Russian Government in response to IUdiaji demarches regarding information on Netaji on the floor o f the House There is no i available on NGO files to indicate if such information was in fact disclosed on the flooi o f the House when the PQ was answered However the point to note is Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose such information As per the last line under Clause 8 o f RTI Act ldquoinformation which cannot be denied to the Parliament or the State legislature shall not be denied to any personrdquo Therefore if such information has already been disclosed on the floor o f the House or even by virtue o f Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose we may no deny such information requested by Shri Anuj Dhar

7 Chronologically the correspondence copies available on file and linked files and sought by Shri Dhar are listed as under

(a) NV No Nil dated 160991 from EI Moscow to MFA USSR Government at FF on linked file

(b) NV No 2YuA dated 080192 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at -FGv -- bullbullbulllaquo mdash bullbull

(c) NV No SA8395 dated 270795 from EI M oscow to MFA Russian Government at FH on linked file

(d) NV No 73YuA dated 271095 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at FI

(e) DO letter from CDA EI Moscow enclosing Amb Kotovrsquos letter to Amb Ronen Sen at FJ on linked file

(f) Record o f intervention by Russian Ambassador to India at a press IK lrsquo ltonffirericebnrsquo2i0296 at FK on linked file

(g) NV No N547 dated 200397 from Russian Defence Ministry to EI Moscow at FL

(h) NV No 19073DA dated 200303 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow aft FM and

(k) NV No 59542DA dated 061004 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow 4 FN

8 A perusaldf the available correspondence shows the continuous effort made by the Ministry through the Embassy in Moscow to obtain information available i f any on Netajirsquos whereabouts in Russia It also shows that such effort was made at very high levels even through correspondence between the Indian Ambassador to Russia and his Russian counterpart One such correspondence is even addressed to a private Indian citizen in Manipur and the same has been passed on to him by our Embassy in Moscow There is no evidence to suggest that such correspondence was received in confidence an not to be disclosed However it would be beyond the competence o f CNV Division to make such a judgment merely on perusal ofthe filesrecords available in NGO SectionAS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) may like to consult Eurasia Division and Embassy o f India Moscow on whether disclosure o f such information under RTI woulc be detrimental to bilateral relations

J)(Debnath ShaiO

X At Wi bull JS (CNV)09 April 20f)7

AS fPP) amp Aeffellate Authority TRTI)

fet L 0 k f t t U a k k f c v J y -TI 4 i t i

cn v w et oA 2 4 JhV oW ei w ttC a

i CIC c h t tfcVe (jEuTA4-IAJ jrteaitcrj At-jKCdh-al tjyin cm Mm+cpL

I M i i ) J L j i t

j J 7

i

-r-

31

FAXTo AS(PP)

MEA New Delhi Fax 91-11-23013387

From First Secretary (Pol) Indembassy Moscow

Rpti) DS[Russia] MEA

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tele 007-495-9163544 Fax 007- 495-9163632

With reference to DS[Russia]rsquos message regarding AS[PP]rsquos note to JS[CNV] No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 9 April 2007 on an appeal filed under No RTI act 2005

2 Please find faxed herewith currently available few copies of this Missionrsquos correspondence with local authorities on the subject We will send more m aterial if available by the earliest diplomatic bag

U ) U v tcrv-4 j

(Dr Suresh Babu) FS [Pol]

13042007

A

- P O C C H H C K A fl A K M E M H H HAYK ^

H H C T H T Y T B O C T O K O B E ^ E H H J I

___________ JV2 ____________________

H a JVs_____________________________ T To 1Justice Mukherji

Commission o f Inquiry M irza Ghalib Street

Kolkata

Dear Sir

This is to inform you that as per your request we have checked the Private

Archive o f Prof EYaLustemic in the Indian Center o f the Institute of Oriental

Studies Russian Academy o f Sciences Moscow

We regret to inform you that there is no document on Subash Chandra Bose

With sincere regards

(Shaumian TLHead the Indian Center o f the Institute o f Oriental Studies

Russian Academy o f SciencesM oscow)

26092005

l0303l(Plttgt CHO 103753 (MeacflyHapoflHbiH) MocKBa T C n yji PoxcnecTBeHKa12 Ten (095)921-1884 (095)925-6461 Oaicc (095)975-2396 E-mail ivran orcru

In contrast to Indian National Congress Bose and his activists basically counted on armed struggle and open cooperation against enemies of England - Germany Italy and Japan Bose dreamed about freedom for India through crushing defeat of Britain Bose could not do it himself so he linked activity of his troops and groups with assault of Germany on India from the West and Japan from the East The aim of Bose was to expedite the assault in all possible ways and reinforce it from inside by subversive Anti-English activity in India and if possible to attached nature o f mass anti-British revolt However at that time not all people considered his activity as ldquosubversiverdquo Fascism was not so popular in India at that time but racism and violence were condemned everywhere A lot of Indians were satisfied with telling blows delivered hateful center o f empire by axis countries in particular against the background of British demonstrative nonshyrecognition of Indian rights for self-determination J Nehru wrote about this period How can we conciliate two basic directions of our policy - opposition to British imperialism and opposition to fascism and nazism How can we adjust our nationalism with our internationalism That was a difficult question for us taking in view current situation However this question would not be difficult if the British Government take a step to show us its refusal from imperialistic policy in India and rely on peoplersquos good willrdquo

But it did not happen Indian public reacted accordingly Describing the psychological atmosphere in the country that time Jawaharlal Nehru wrote ldquoPeople were pushing out not by patriotic feelings but by their willingness to save themselves from an offense and the worstrdquo

So S Bose did not have any mass support but he could use the mood of majority for his own purposes Nehru wrote about it the following ldquoProtection of the imperialism which we were fighting with for such a long time seemed to be non-sense and impossible to usrdquo

Unofficial translation

ldquoMatsottardquo is obtaining Soviet visa

Instructions were really complicated It was necessary to send Subhas Chandra Bose to Germany He was wanted by Britain secret service colonial Administration and local police throughout India Bose was staunch and irreconcilable adversary of Great Britain and may be the most dangerous one at that time

Extracts of the book whiten by Yuri L Kuznets ldquoMarauders are quitting the gamerdquo

Published in 1992 by ldquoInterprakstrdquo Moscow

Of course Bose made his main counting on the military defeat of England at the time when Hitlerrsquos Germany had been already at the war with it and Japan was still neutral So Bose was interested in Berlin When Japan occupied Burma and came close to the Indiarsquos borders Bose reoriented to the Far East

In spring 1941 his ways crossed with Bhagat Ram Bose decided to shift from India to Berlin because some of his friends and relatives were arrested in India and he by himself also was wanted He needed Hitlerrsquos support including financial one Ports we under police control and departure trough one of them was very risky Bose took another way and in February came to Kabul He was accompanied by Bhagat Ram who was not a member o f Bosersquos organization he did not like axis-members but he was posted as Bosersquos escort by his party ldquoKirti Kissanrdquo because o f his knowledge of Phushtun zone which they had to cross as well as Afghanistan and Kabul He also had his own flat in Kabul - the premises which belonged to Ultam Chang and his shop It was supposed that Ram was doing a favour to Bose only due to their common aim - to weak British positions in India at most

Ram fulfilled his task Bose settled down in Kabul and started to make arrangements for the next step of his journey During war time he could come to Germany only through the territory o f USSR For this purpose he required a passport which he did not have German Embassy applied to the Italian one Italians considered the German request positively Bose got passport in respect of Italian citizen Mazzotta Holding this passport Bose applied to the Soviet Embassy for transit visa crossed the USSR territory and came to Berlin

Mazzotta disappeared But German Consulate General drew attention to Bhagat Ram who was introduced as a powerful Indian activist in Afghanistan and India with anti-British orientation It was o f interest and he was suggested to work for the German Secret Service German resident was satisfied with Ramrsquos past his contacts and mood especially because he was concerned about difficulties o f the anti-British activities in India shortage of agents and information as well as conspiratorial bases in India Bosersquos recommendation also helped Ram was thinking it would be important for me and my party to establish contacts with enemies of their enemies

Offer on co-operation was accepted Ram left German Consulate having 100 000 Indian Rupees in his pocket 12 guns and ballets Money and arms were required by the people whom Ram would be recruiting in India Since May 1941 after the German finished their checking Ram had become the main agent o f the German Secret Service in India

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337 Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 9 4 0 5 September 9 2005

The Em bassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Em bassyrsquos earlier Note Verbales on the visit of a delegation of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 20-30 2005 in connection with enquiring into the facts and circum stances relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

It is confirmed th a t all logistical arrangem ents for official JMCI delegation and the accompanying eight deponents would be facilitated by the Embassy with no financial implications to the Russian side

It would be appreciated if the decision of the esteemed Ministry on visas for the visiting team may kindly be expedited

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

Copy to Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

No 5830 2DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Notes No SA16605 of 08 August No SA17405 of 18 August and No SA17905 and No SA18005 of 26 August this year has the honour to inform as follows

Justice Mukherjee as a Head of the Delegation set up by the Government of India to inquire about life of Subhas Chandra Bose pertaining to the period from 1945 onwards as well as the accompanying delegation will be given access to the documents kept in the Reading Halls o f the Federal and State Archives of the Subjects o f the Russian Federation in Moscow St Petersburg Irkutsk and Omsk through the Federal Archives Agency of the Russian Federation All expenditures related to the arrangements for their visit air-passage accommodation transport and medical insurance etc should be borne by the Indian side The Federal Archive Agency requests to inform Mr MK Mukherjee of the addresses of Federal Archives given below

1 Russian State Archive for social and political history - 103 821 Moscow 15 B Dmitrovka Str Director - Kiril M Anderson Tel 229 97 26

2 Russian State Archive of Audio- Photo Documents - 143 400 Moscow Region Krasnogorsk 1 Rechnaya Str Director - Lyudmila P Zapryagaeva Tel 562 14 64 563 08 45

3 Russian State Archive for Phono Documents 105 005 Moscow3 2ya Baumanskaya Str Director - Vladimir A Kolyada Tel 261 13 00

4 Russian State Naval Archive - 191 186 St Perersburg 36 Millionnaya Str Director - Vladimir S Sobolev Tel (812)312 11 37

The Federal Archives Agency recommends the following for work with the documents o f

- Central State Archive of St Petersburg - to apply to St Petersburg Archives Committee (193 015 St Petersburg 39 Tavricheskaya Str) Chairman of the Committee - Mr Anatoly D Yashkov Tel (812) 271 44 55)

- State Archive of Omsk Region - to apply to the Archive Department of the Ministry for State and Legal Development o f Omsk Region Head - Ms Galina Yu Borodina (644 099 Omsk 1 Tretyakova Str) Tel (381-2) 25 57 26

- State Archive of Irkutsk Region - to apply to Archive Department of Irkutsk Region Head - Ms Nadezhda K Shestakova (664003 Irkutsk 36a Gorkogo Str) Tel (395-2) 24 06 42

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow ldquo 15 ldquo September 2005

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA Moscow

slvNon-paper

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9

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow___ Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337

Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 8 0 0 5 August 26 2005

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Embassyrsquos earlier communications regarding the visit of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 18-30 2005

By way of background information given below are the relevant details of JMCI -

(i) The Government o f India Ministry o f Home Affairs New Delhi vide a gazette notification No S 0339(B) dated 14th May 1999 appointed Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry for Inquiry into the Alleged Disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under Section (3) o f the Commission o f Inquiry Act o f 1952 (60 o f 1952)

(ii) As per this notification Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry shall inquire into all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945 and subsequent developments connected therewith including-(a) whether Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is dead or alive(b) I f he is dead whether he died in the plane crash as alleged(c) Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are the ashes o f Netaji(d) Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and if

so when and how(e) I f he is alive in respect o f his whereabouts

(iii) The Commission shall also examine the manner in which the exercise o f Scrutiny o f Publications touching upon the question o f death or otherwise on Netaji can be undertaken by the Central Government in the circumstances

(iv) Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry is funded by the Ministry o f Home Affairs Government o f India and is an official Commission

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

Copy to M inistry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV t J 001

A MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS (PP) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of material immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

Deputy Secretary (Russia) Ph 23015199 Intercom 2285

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

Dr T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

T c J i h irvMUt(SOMNATH GHOSH)

Deputy Secretary Ministry of External Affairs

New Deifci

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 1^1002

( t

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No R T I-2 pound _ A S (P P )2 0 0 7

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance_of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anufpfiar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) 6t

Appellate Authority (RTI) 09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

g^py forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - H W U(Ajal Choudhfy)

1 o 7

0 v

j N lsquoaA gt ^ 1 ^

04 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV

MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS-iEP-) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of matenal immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

D tpu ij u su ta i J iu J o ia JPh 23015199 Intercom 228S

D r T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

h i 7-

_100pound 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 002

Most Immediate

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No RTI-HiLAS(PP) 2007

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed bv Shri Anul Dhar under RTI 200S - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anurbhar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC ------ = = = = mdash

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) amp

Appellate Authority (RTI)09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

JZopy forwarded to JS(Eurasla) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - t t U X f (Ajal ChoudMfy)

k

Buff 43402

Square C u t Raider A4 434Made in London

Blue 43403 Green 43404 Grey 43405 Orange 43406 Pink 43407 Red 43408 Yellow 43409 Mauve 43414

Page 13: V ' . . . Disci* wi/K 0*s*/ - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ...

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WI (AD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u F S (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P lease find a ttached a self-exp lanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f Subhash C hand ra Bose u n d er the R T I Act for kind necessary action a t your end

ahul S hrivastava) U n d er S ecre tary 7 Janu ary 2 0 0 8

No RTI5517606Ministry of External Affairs

( RTI Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquos note WI (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content of the note was conveyed to the Information Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government of

j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russian 1 Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the National

Achieve o f India

We have received a communication to this effect from the CIC which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(AK Nag) JS (Wei amp Inf) amp CPIO

December 18 2007

In fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r

gt O P KEJARIWAL fe laquoft-110067 B lo ck-IV 5 th F lo o r O ld JN U C a m p u s

N e w D e lh i-1 1 0 0 6 7 T ele fax 26717351

C entra In fo rm a t io n C o m m is s io n

November 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T I5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian Governm ent for disclosure of the N eta ji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar We have now received a le tte r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N eta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portan t from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere ind iv idualrsquos in terest He suggests and reuests therefore that this m ateria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India from abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m a tte r t h erefore is pursued w ith the I Russian G overnm ent so th a t w hatever m ateriah s o f va lue a nd in te rest to India m ay com e to us especially in the present case

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) Ministry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

Yours sincerely

(OP Kejariw al)

To 26 November 2007

Dr OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner Central Information Commission Old JNU Campus New Delhi - 110067

Subject R eq u est to Ind ian Errbassy to procure p ost-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian arch ives

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter NoR TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2007 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision N oC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made v this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the

Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Embassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

i

2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing ruies or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at times provide information A request from the Embassy of India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

^ would not yvant this exercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant records are identified the Embassy may procure them for the National Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India

since they are likely to provide a never befc 3 insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world w a r for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n L ____2 63 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mayzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez iden ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)[A rch ive o f the P res id en t o f the R uss ian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lsk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606-13-33 Fax (495 ) 606 -19 -66

2 Is to riko-dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del R F (ID D M ID) [H is torico-D ocum enta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in is try o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o lenska ia -S enna ia p loshchad 3234 Tel (495) 244-32-19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i po litik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (A V P RF)[A rch ive o f Fore ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241-04-80

4 Tsen tra lrsquonyi a rkh iv M in is te rs tva o bo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f D e fense]142100 M oskovskaia ob las t P odo lrsquosk ul K irova 74 Tel (495) 715-90-05 (0967) 54-00-03

5 G lavno je R azvedyva te lno je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilitary In te lligence D irecto ra te arch ives Address not know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 TsentraPnyi a rkh iv Federa lno i s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (TsA FSB R ossjj)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F edera l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzhby vneshne i razvedki RF (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)[O perational A rch ive o f the Fore ign In te lligence S erv ice ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 5110Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 245 -33 -68 Fax (495) 247-05-29

8 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (TsA M VD R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In te rna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovocherem ushk inska ia 67 (Archive) ul Zoi i A leksa nd ra K osm odem iansk ikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-90

2

o o ^ y - q ^ - s z n ^ h

A deg U lt 6 S (3 2 -

gt

bull - - - bull bull

i - r

-0

F a x M e s s a g e P n o m

7 Jan 2008 1626

NameFax Number

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C

L i

DIRlt ERS)MEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1626 P0105

M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Te l 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u srs m eag o v in

WI(AJD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u FS (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P le as e find a ttached a self-explanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f S ubhash C hand ra Bose under the RT Act for kind necessary action a t your end

lahul S h rivastava) U n d e rs e c re ta ry 7 J a n u a ry 2 0 0 8

DIR(ERS gtMEflRNQ235C 7 Jan 2008 16=26 P020b

No RTI5517606 Ministry of External Affairs

( RTX Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquo s note W I (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser o f complete correspondence

with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash | Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content o f the note was conveyed to the Information j Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant bull The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government o f j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russiani Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the Nationali bull

W e have received a communication to this effect from the CIC

i s J

Achieve o f India

which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(A K Nag) JS (W ei amp Inf) amp CPIO1

December 18 2007

DIR( ERS gtMEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1627 P 0305

gt O P KEJARIWALSTTJprf

-MiX TR 4 58 cfcr TPTT

fcc=6ft11 0 0 6 7 Biock-lV 5th Floor Oki JNU Campus

I n fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r New Delhi-110067 Telefax 26717351

Centra Information Commission

Novem ber 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T 5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian G overnm ent fo r disclosure of the N etaji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar W e have now received a le t te r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N e ta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portant from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere individuals in terest He suggests and reuests th ere fo re that this m a te ria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India f rom abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m atte r therefore is pursued w ith the Russian Governm ent so th a t w hatever m ateria l is of va lue and interest to India may come toTis especially in the present case

Yours sincerely

(O P Kejariw al)

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) M inistry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C 7 Jan 2008 16 = 2 P 0405

02 6 N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 7

Dr OP Kejariwal information Com missioner Central Information Commission

+ Old JNU Campus N ew Delhi - 110067

Subject R e q u e s t to Ind ian Em bassy to procure post-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian a rc h ive s

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter N o R TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2 0 07 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTi Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision NoC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

lt think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Em bassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

4 2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing rules or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at tim es provide information A request from the Embassy o f India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

I would not w ant this e xercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant fcS ords s re identified the Em bassym ay procure them fo rtheN atTonal Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India since they are likely to provide a never befc s insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

1

DIR ( ERS) ME ARN0235C7 Jan 2008 16=27

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world war for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n t 2 6 3 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mazzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez idsn ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)Archive o f th e P re s id e n t o f the R ussian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lrsquosk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606 -13 -33 Fax (495) 606-19-66

2 Is to riko -dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del RF (ID D M ID) [H is to rico -D ocum en ta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in istry o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o ie nska ia -S en n a ia p loshchad rsquo 3234 Tel (495) 244 -32 -19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i p o lit ik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (AVP RF)[A rch ive o f Fo re ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241 -04 -80

4 Tsen tra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva obo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f th e M in is try o f D e fense] - bull -142100 M oskovska ia o b la s t P odo lsk ul K irova74 Tel (495 )715-90-05 (0 9 6 7 )5 4 -0 0 -0 3

5 G lavno je R a zve dyva te ln o je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilita ry In te lligence D irectora te a rch ives A ddress no t know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv FederaPnoi s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (T sA FS B R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F e de ra l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzh by vneshne i razvedki R F (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)(O perational A rch ive o f the F o re ign In te lligence Service ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 51 10Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 2 4 5 -33 -6 8 Fax (495) 247-05-29

Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (T sA M VD R ossii)[Central A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In terna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovoche rem ushk inska la 67 (Archive) ul Z o i i A le ksa n d ra K osm odem ianskikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-30

ffs

amp-3gt) i c y v

Embassy of India Moscow(Political Wing) f t

r r v ^Subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with USSRRussia over the

disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 reg

Reference remarks made by the Ambassador on FR a letter from JS (Wei ampInf) addressed to Shri OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner copy endorsed to Min (Pol) on the above subject

Back ground of the case On receipt o f a copy o f AS (PP )rsquo s Note No RTI- 36AS(PP)07 dated 942007 on the above subject Mission vide fax dated 130407 forwarded few copies o f Missionrsquos correspondence with the local authorities on the subject to AS(PP) -------- At F A

Subsequently on receipt o f JS(ERS)rsquo s letter No 1 lJS(ERS)2007 dated 20407 enclosed with A S (PP )rsquo s Note No 30AS(PP)07 amp JS(CNV)rsquo s Note along with copies o f correspondence available in CNV Division on the subject Mission has sent a Note Verbale No SA8907 dated 1752007 to Russian Foreign Ministry requesting for the views o f the Russian side whether the information provided by them could be released to the appellant -------At FB

Documents provided by Russian side and forwarded to the Commission

(i) Documents initially provided by the Russian side attached with Note Verbale No1423 DA dated 28h June 2001 which was forwarded to the Ministry on August

31 2001 may please be seen a t-----FC in the linked file

(ii ) On the basis of an affidavit submitted to the Justice Mukherjee Commission a Note Verbale No SA25904 dated December 22 2004 was sent to the M FA and reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 13142 DA dated 4 March 2005 enclosed with a copy of letter from Mr V Sayadyants to the Soviet Ambassador to Iran Mr IV Sadchikov regarding the political situation in India in 1946 may please be seen a t--------FD in the linked file

Response of the Russian side

( i) A reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 42952 DA dated 2262007 stating therein that ldquo the documents from Russian Archives handed over in June 2001 were for official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up by it for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo This was conveyed to the Ministry vide letter No MOSPOL125190 dated 472007 --------At FE

P2

2

Again on receipt o f a copy o f the decision o f Central Information Commission vide No RTI5517606 dated 22082007 (At FF) Mission took up the matter with M FA vide Note Verbale No SA17307 dated 1892007 for which a reply was received vide No 42952DA dated 11007 reiterating their view that the documents from RussianArchives were submitted exclusively for official use by the GOI including Thiswas conveyed to the Ministry vide E-gram dated 10102007-----At FG

Submitted as desired by Min (Pol) please

2

f^TT FTRTTM IN ISTR Y O F E X TE R N A L A F FA IR S

NEW D ELH I

Dated 2nd November 2007 I gt gt v

gt ldquo $

NoRTI551762006

Shri OP KejariwalInformation Commissioner Central Information Commission Club Building Old JNU Campus New Delhi-110 067 bull

Subject- Disclosure o f complete correspondenc e with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RT[ Act 2005

SirAs per directives o f the Honrsquoble Central Information

Commission contained in Para 13 o f the decisioNoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi seeking certified copies o f the complete correspondence this Ministry had with the Governments of the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

9 ^ 2 Our Embassy in Moscow again approached the Government of Russian Federation to get their consent to the disclosure o f documents under reference but the Government of Russian Federation reiterated that documents were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government o f India for investigation o f Netajee Subhash Chandra Bose disappearance

3 However they state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note o f the Embassy can approach the authorities o f the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy o f India for permission to get to know the M aterials deposited in Federal and State Archives o f the Russian Federation

OV-

g ji)

j d L

Yours faithfully

(AK Nag) Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer

_ f

- i V lt L

Copy for information forwarded to-

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110 018

2 Director(ERS) Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi with reference to his Note NoW l(AD)5511007 dated 25102007

Minister (Pol) Embassy o f India Moscow

Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp Central Public Information Officer

N o W l(A D ) 5 5 1 1 0 0 7 M inistry o f External A ffa irs

(ERS D ivision)

W ith re ference your N ote No R T I5 5 1 7 6 0 6 dated 2 2 8 2 0 0 7 to JS (E R S ) regarding d isclosure o f com plete correspondence w ith the USSRRussia o v e r th e d is a p p e a ra n c e o N e ta ji S u b h a s h C h a n d ra B o s g u n d e r R T I A c t 2005 p lease find enclosed th e unofficial translation o f th e note verb ale dated 1 0 c to b e r rsquo0 7 sent by R ussian M inistry o f Foreign Affairs in reply to the note verbale sent by our E m bassy in M o scow on the subject

(A rya S an d e e p ) D irector (E R S )

2 5 O ctob er 2 0 0 7

JS (W ei amp Inf ampCentral Public In form ation O fficer

v C op y to M in ister (Pol) E m bassy o f India M oscow

U n o ffic ia l T ra n s la tio n

Quote

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highest consideration

Moscow 01st October 2007

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

For official use only

E-GRAM

NoMOSPOL 125 190 laquo y October 10 2007

From To

Indembassy Moscow Foreign New Delhi

AStERS) from Minister (Poll

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

Q u o teUnofficial translation

Moscow 01st October 2007

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

sd-(Dr Subhakanta Behera)

Minister (Political)

a I JH

NICEMAIL r^T^X Page 1 o f 1

y

Current Folder SentMaill y II

I - Compose rsquo^ Addresses ^ Folders EOptions gt Search ^ H e lp sij^Fetch ^ss^Calen

Message List | Delete | Edit Previous I Next Forward I Forward as Attachment | Reply | Reply A ll Message as N ew ------------1 ----------- 1-------------------------------- 1 ldquo r J 1

Subject Message from EI MoscowFrom dcmmoscowmeagovinDate Wed October 10 2007 110 pm

To jsersmeagovinPriority NormalOptions V iew Full Header | V iew Printable V ersion | Add to Addressbook

Attachments

untitled -[l] Ok [texthtm l] download | view

MQS10100716dth 175 k [ applicationoctet-stream ] download

10)0o

NoMOSpOL125190 October 10 2007

From Indernbassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

AS(BRS) from Minister (Pol)

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

Q u o teUnofficial translation

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of

September 20o7 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22laquod of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

For official use only

1

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

Moscow 01st October 2007

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Minister (Political)

No64682DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and

the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 da ted the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

In add ition to the Note o f the M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion No 429 5 2D A dated the 22 nd o f June 2007 in form tha t docum ents from R ussian a rch ives w ere subm itted e xc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the

the Com m issionAfor investiga tion o f N eta jee S ubhas C handra B ose d isappea rance d e ta iis ^s ta b lis h e d by the G ove rnm en t o f IndiaD

p TU-Indian c itizen m en tioned in the Note o f the E m bassy has ^ f fg h t th rough the E m b a s sy tfo request and to fee- get to k n o w ^ a te r ia ls depos ited in Federa l and S ta te A rch ives o f the R ussian F ede ra tion w ith the perm iss ion o f its authorities

The M in is try ava ils th is opportun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest conside ra tion

M oscow 01st O ctober 2007

A ppend ix N ote N o4295 2D A

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

ampJk i A

lAK i

M

bull J U h J t ^ J JLflJ L (L S U s ^ S u (jrcopywO ^ (V|Pj iVv ^ |0]laquo f 1 r i r I - r r J I - 1Olgt-^ |1 CJ |ltg fkiiXn

V j d t v a jx h a u j j u r v w i - jo j - d ^ ^

o 1

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riDHJioxceHneHCXHOTa

Nlti 4 2 9 5 2 M

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No42952DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and quo ting the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 dated the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

D ocum ents from R ussian a rch ives m entioned in the N ote o f the E m bassy w ere subm itted in particu lar in June 2001 exc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the use by the C om m iss ion fo r inves tiga tion o f N e ta jee S ubhas C handra Bose d isappea rance deta ils estab lished by the G ove rnm en t o f India

W e a lso in form tha t the access to Federa l and S ta te A rch ive s o f the R ussian Federa tion is a llow ed w ith the perm iss ion o f Federa l a rch ives A g en cy (R osarch ives) the read ing in read ing room s o f concre te a rch ives w ith th e perm ission o f a rch ives s truc tu res au tho rities o f co rrespond ing bod ies on the basis o f appea l o f E m bassies sc ien tific research ins titu tes and pub lic o rgan iza tions

The M in is try ava ils th is oppo rtun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest considera tion

M oscow 02nd June 2007

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

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No SA8907 ot 17 Mah 2007 rofla HMeeT qecrb coo6ihhtigt

cjreiyiomee

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apXHBHbIX CTpyKTyp COOTBeTCTByK)mHX Be^OMCTB no npHMOMy

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nOCOJIbCTBY PECnYBJIHKH HHffHH

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M ocKBaWo I S P

NoSA17307

gt v

TRcT ltTv5f rram TTWTEMBASSY OF INDIA

MOSCOWriOCOIbCTBO HhaMM

MocKBa

18 September 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure of entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

J rThe Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent

vdeg a u th o r ity (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sidersquos view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set

^ up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji V A Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not

^ disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if suchaterial could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry it

could be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissionrsquos work is over Thecompetent authority is of the opinion that the material in question could be disclosed

W ^ deg the Appellant They further advised the Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi to formal clearance for the disclosure of the entire material on the above subject

J ^ ^ ^ f r o r y ^ e ^ i l i s s i a n side

- esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure of the above material maylease be communicated to this Mission at an early date

-

f

mbassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to tfte ^ in ijP r^W f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ^ of the Russian F e d e r ^ J ^(2nd Asia Department) 4 - 1 ^ gt i Csy~~~ aM o s c o w 1

6-8 yn BopoHUOBO rioie 131940 r MocKBa

Ten 007-095-783-75-35 007-095-783-75-34

wwwindianembassyru

tjgt2 t 007-095-916-36- 3 2 007-095-975-23-37

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR

JS(WelampInf) amp Central Public Information Officer has forwarded u s the CIC decision with request to initiate action in accordance with p a ra -13 th e Information Commission is all for disclosure of the material The CIC does not see any reason why the m aterial should not be disclosed now to any researcher since the Justice Mukherjee Commissionrsquos work is over Accordingly it has advised the Ministry of External Affairs to seek the formal clearance from the Russian authorities in the m atter

2 DCMrsquos last comm unication with JS(ERS) was made on 4th July 2007 DCM had forwarded the translation of the note verbale received from the Russian Foreign Office

3 In the light of above we may again send a note verbale to the Foreign Office in accordance with p a ra -13 of the CIC decision

Subm itted please

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

Sept 13 2007

NoSA17307 $ September 2007

The Embassy o f India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure o f entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

The Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent authority (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sides view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if such material could be made available to the Justice Mukheerjee Commission for inquiry they see no reason why-thisO material should iw k be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissions work is over The competent authority is of the ifem opinion that the material in question should be disclosed to the Appellant They further advised the Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi to obtain formal clearance for the disclosure o f the entire material on the above subject from the Russian side

The esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure o f the above material may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2nd Asia Department) Moscow

No R TI5517606 Ministry o f External Affairs

(RTI Division)

Subject - Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

Please find enclosed herewith Central Information Com m issionrsquos decision NoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar o f New Delhi

2 It is requested that necessary action may please be initiated in accordance with para-13 o f the CIC decision

EnclAs above

JS (Eiirasia)

(AiC Nag) Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer22-08-2007

mdash o j^ VxkxraquoA

OJLgt ^

J amp u - cVjl_JL bull

X k ~ Ajo-vyWpound

(XaA

- e j

(e-US)

V mdash j ^ bull

S c

X H bull ( 0 r h

gf if raquofn2(gt0Dy N o pound 3 amp RTI D1V200gt

Central Information Commission ilaquoWDlaquoted4i^USd|ampL~

sect $ I| | i yyNoCICOKA200600671

Dated 10 August 2007

Name of the Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar263 Kangra NiketanVikaspuri New Delhi - 110 018

Name of the Public Authority Ministry of External Affairs

Background

Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi filed an application with the PIO Ministry of

External Affairs on 2 August 2006 for seeking certified copies of the complete

correspondence the Ministry of External Affairs had with the Governments of

the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash

Chandra Bose

2 The PIO vide his letter dated 25 August 2006 informed the Appellant that

the request to the Government of USSR and the Russian Federation were made

through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels The PiO also stated that the

requisite copies of the correspondence could not be disclosed at it involves the

relations with a foreign State and so was exempt from disclosure as per the

provisions of Clause 8(1 )(a)amp(f) of the RTI Act

3 Dissatisfied with the reply of the PIO the Appellant filed an appeal with

the first Appellate Authority on 23 September 2006 who vide his letter dated 6

November 2006 again denied disclosure of the documents taking recourse to the

Section 8(1 )(a) and (i) The bench of Dr OP Kejariwal Information

mmissioner heard the matter on 23 March 2007

4 The main stand of the Respondents to the information sought by the

Appellant which is regarding the correspondence between India and the

Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia was that this

information could not be disclosed as it was likely to affect the countryrsquos

relationship with another State On making enquiries from the Respondents it

was clear that this correspondence had neither been seen nor been examined

by an expert to come to such a conclusion Therefore the Commission felt

that the Applicantrsquos application had been treated casually

5 The Commission then directed the Respondents to first have this

correspondence examined by their own experts and if need be by an outside

expert who they could rely on and then take a firm decision In case the

experts came to the conclusion that the applicability of the denial clause was

not relevant in the case the material could be disclosed to the Appellant

However in case the Respondents came to the conclusion that the relations

between the Governments of india and Russia would be affected through the

disclosure of this information the Commission would like the issue to be

settled only after a reference had been made to the Government of Russia

6 The matter was taken up for a second hearing by the bench of Dr OP

Kejariwal Information Commissioner on 10 August 2007

7 Shri AK Naag Joint Secretary (Inf amp Wei) amp CPIO and Shri Nand

Kishore Under Secretary (RTI) represented the Respondents

8 The Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar was present in person

Decision

9 The Commission heard both the sides During the hearing the

Respondents stated before the Commission that they had received a response

from the Government of the Russian Federation Moscow in pursuance of the

Commissionrsquos earlier Order in the matter dated 23 March 2007

10 This letter stated ldquoaccording to the correspondence received from the

Embassy of India Moscow the Russian Foreign Office has stated that the

documents handed over by them in June 2001 were meant only for the GOIrsquos

official use and for the work of the Commission in investigations into the

disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo

11 During the hearing the Appellant stated that his request included the

entire correspondence between the Governments of India and the USSR

regarding nf NPtajirsquos disappearance The Commission accepted this

request and directed the Respondents to clearly mention this while seeking the

approval of the Russian authorities for disclosure of this material

12 Also during the hearing the Appellant made a plea for a copy of the

letter received by the Ministry of External Affairs resulting from the application

that he had made on the issue The Commission saw no objection in this

request and directs the Respondents to supply a copy of this letter to the

Appellant

13 The Commission further feels that if the material could be made

available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the

disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be

disclosed now to any Researcher now that that Commissionrsquos work is over The

information Commission therefore is all for disclosure of this material to the

Appellant However it advises the Ministry of External Affairs to seek a formal------ ------ - _ ____________ ___

clearance from the Russian Authorities in the matter

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110018

Shri AK Nag Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) a Central Public Information Officer Room No 207 Akbar Bhawan Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110021

3 Shri Ajay Choudhary Additional Secretary amp Appellate Authority Room No 144 C South Block Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110011

4 Officer Incharge NSC

5 Press E Group CIC

(OP Kejariwal) Information Commissioner

Cc

The Statesman

Search

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17 August 2007

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01

[ India ]-

Netaji filesrsquo disclosure ordered

New Delhi Aug 16 The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the external affairs ministry to disclose its correspondence with the erstwhile USSR over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra BoseldquoThe Commission feels that if the material could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be disclosed to any researcher nowrdquo information commissioner Mr OP Kejariwal saidThe Commission made this observation while hearing Mission Netajirsquos plea for certified copies of the complete correspondence between India and the USSR over Netajirsquos disappearance in 1945 The CIC in its decision relied on a letter from officials in Moscow that said the documents which were handed over to India were meant for ldquoofficial use and for the work o f the Mukherjee Commission n PTI

Discussion on this Ind ia itemDisclaimer These are Internet generated discussion threads for which the The Statesman has no responsibilityNo discussions on this item

t o P os

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Passwo

New

9 fM raquo f -

m m m m

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Cabinet nod to new farm scheme

Q case CBI m ay cancel notice

Thaw in Left-UPA ties

Keshubhai joins rebels

http wwwthestatesmannetpagenewsphpclid=2amptheme=ampusrsess=lampid=l 66383 8172007

N o f j j M j l J X K

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raquo

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR and noting of FS(Pol) thereon

2 It seems the Russian Foreign Office does not want to add anything beyond what they have already pu t in the note verbale of Ju n e 22 2007 However if the said note verbale is read together with the bilateral Agreement of 2000 it becomes clear th a t there is no bar oft supplying confidential information to persons asking for the sam e According to Article 3b ot the Agreement decisions to hand over particular classified information shall be taken by the Parties on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the laws of their States

3 Moreover as a scrutiny of the correspondences between the SovietRussian and Indian sides shows they do not contain any sensitive information All the correspondences convey the result of the search in the Russian Archives Perhaps tha t is why JS(CNV) was inclined to suggest the disclosure of the correspondences

4 Given my positive view on the m atter for disclosure of the correspondences I would however like to propose tha t the Ministry may be sent a copy of the note verbale received from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to take into cognizance of the Agreement of 2000 before taking any final decision on the m atter If needed LampT Division in the Ministry may also be consulted

Subm itted please

(r

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

July 3 2007

No 42952DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation and in reference to the Note SA8907 dated 17th May 2007 has honour to inform the following -

The documents from Russian archives referred to in the Embassyrsquos note in particular handed over in June 2001 for official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set up by it for the investigation of circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

cm)

a

W e further inform that the access to materials belong to federal and state archives of the Russian Federation is given with the consent of Federal Agency of Achieves (Rosarchiv) and permission to work in reading halls of agency archives is given by authorities of archives belong to concerned agencies on direct requests by embassies scientific amp research institutions and social organizations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation assurances of its highest consideration

^ ft o j L (vLoo jP xjlJ~plt~ Moscow 22 June 2007

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T his is w ith reference to m y le tter no 11 J S (E R S)2007 d a ted April 20 2007 regard ing a req u e s t m ade u n d e r ldquoRight to in form ationrdquo (copy enclosed for ready reference) It is req u ested th a t th e R u ssian s id e rsquos resp o n se m ay kindly be in tim ated^atjan early da te ^ ^

rajj-vMaaS

Y ours sincerely

(Dr J Bhagwati

X ^h ri D ivyabh M an ch an d a D eputy C hief of M ission E m bassy of Ind ia Moscow

Copy to

AS(PP) JS(CNV)

(Dr J Bhagwati)

No 11 JS (E R S ) 2 0 0 7

Deari

Please refer to AS (PP) an d Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 M arch 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence betw een the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra B osersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E u rasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm w ith the R ussian side w hether they would have any objection to release of correspondence received from them on th is subject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos response m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

S d -(Dr J Bhagwati)

Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) A^(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

S

20 April 2007h

( Dr J Bhagwati )

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tel 7837535 Fax 9752337

NoSA8907 17 May 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 2YuA dated 8 January 1992 and subsequent correspondence (viz No 73YuA dated 27 October 1995 N 547 dated 20 March 1997 19073DA dated 20 March 2003 and 59542DA dated 6 October 2004) including a letter from Ambassador Yu Kutov regarding information about the reported stay of a former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

An Indian citizen had filed a petition under the Right to Information Act 2005 for obtaining all informationdocuments relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The information obtained from the Russian side was denied to the appellant at that time

^Thereupon an appeal was filed by the concerned citizen and currently the V Government of India is considering whether the informationdocuments

-t obtained from Russian authorities on the subject could be released toappellant Views of the Russian side whether the information provided by

( them could be released to the appellant would be essential for the^ f Government of India to take decision on the matter

The esteemed Ministryrsquos views on the matter may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the

s of its highest consideration

f V Ministry of Foreign AffairsL o f the Russian Federation

cr - A sia Department) ^V ^^(V io sco w

A V

Ministry o f External Affairs South Block N ew D elh i-110 011 Mail jsers m eagovinMail jsers m ea Phone 23017411

i]r

Phone 23017411 PhFax 23011922

S e c r e t

No H JS (E R S )2007

Dear L b ]

Please refer to AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence between the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra Bosersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E urasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm with the R ussian side w hether they would have

amp any objection to release of correspondence received from them on thissubject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos re~sponse m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

^Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) AS(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

( Dr J B hagw ati)

V

V No^5AS(PP)2007

Right to Inform atioi Timt

Most Im

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)rsquos Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Inform ation Act 2 005

Shri Anuj Dhar had initially requested this Ministry last year requesting form information on the following two points-

1 Certified copies of complete correspondence the MEA has had with the Governments o f the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

2 Confirmation on whether the Ministry had sought information from the erstwhile Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation by merely issuing Notes Verbale or some serious efforts were ever made at a higher (say Ministerial) level to uncover the mystery surrounding the fate of Netaji

filed an appeal with the CIC The appeal was considered by the CIC on 23 March 2007 The CIC has directed that the Ministry should have the documents under reference carefully examined by a panel of experts to determine whether the information sought by the applicant can be given or not

While we have not received the final decision of the Commission this would a time-bound exercise and it is therefore requested that JS(CNV) may please make the records available to me for a preliminary examination so that expeditious action can be taken on receipt of the formal decision of the CIC

The information was denied to Shri Dhar by this Ministry whereupon he

(AjAdditional Secretary (PP) fit

Appellate Authority (RTI) 28 March 2007

JS(CNV)

Copy forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with the request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me as soon as possible

o f iHC-ifl no 3 20 HOO bull rsquobull bullP

vrrwr 5fn tnrvtEMBASSY OF IN D IA

6-0 Ulitsa Obukha M O S C O W

Tel No 237-0820

t t v

Septe mb er 16 1991

The Embassy of I nd ia presents its compli me nt s to the Mi nistry of For ei gn Aff ai rs of the USSR and has the ho nour to enclose her ew it h a c o ll ect io n opound documents or NetSji S ub ha sh C h an d ra B o s e at one time a President of the Ind-ior N at io na l C o n g r e s s and a leading fig are in ths Indian freedom movement received from H r _ Ch it ts S s s u M em b er of P ar l ia m en t and Gene ra l Secretary All r d i a Forward Bloc a group founded by Meta ji Subhas-i X h 3 n d r a Fgt = $ e ord at present a c o n s t it ue n t of tne Left Front G o v e r n shyment in the Indian state of West Bengal

2 In these d o c u me n ts there are su ggestions quotingthe then Soviet A m b a s s a d o r in Kabul and the Soviet Vice Consu l in T e h er an to the effect that Netaji Subhash Chandra

itighr have found his way to the Soviet Union after the alleged ae ro p la n e cr as h in August 1 9 A 5 As recently as March 5 I990 The H i n d u s t a n Time an Indian daili n e w s p a p e r quoted a scholar of the Soviet Institute if Or ie nt al S t ud ie s to the effect t h a t there are t c S o v i e t sc ho la rs who have applied to tne Covernen-c of the US Sr for pe rm is si on to e xa min e cla ss if ie d documents

3- In the light of the current policy on Soviet nationala r ch i ve s the Embassy of India would appreciate if an rate- rial that sheds light on the fate of Netaji Subhush Chandra Dose in the a rch iv es of S ov ie t or ga nisations including s ec u r i t y o r g a ni s at io ns is made available to the Embassy of India

A The Ere bossy of India n vails itself of this opportunityto renew to the M i n s t r y of Foreign Affairs of the USSH the a s s u r a n c e s of its highest c on si deration

Seal

M i n i t r y of Foreign Af fa ir s Covernment of USSRM o s c o bullgt

E rc 1 a s a b o v e

if nI

(rough translation)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation

No ZAuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that according to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no information whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow8 January 1992

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

trrlter r_ EM B A S S Y OF INDIA6-8 Ulitsa Voiomsovo Polyo

N o S A 8 3 9 5 July 27 19SS

The Embassy of India presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to correspondence resting with their Note Verbaie No 2YuA of S January 15S2 regarding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Enclosed is a booklet which contends that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may have come to the former Soviet Union in 1945 There has teen further speculation in this context reportedly on the basis of archival materials In view of this it would be highly appreciated if ail materials available on the subject couid be examined for a final determination on whether or not Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose entered or stayed anywhere in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 or subsequently

The Embassy of India avails itself of tnis opportunity to renew to tne Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration - bull -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (South Asia Department) Moscow

v

(Unofficial T ransl

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

73YuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central Archival Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents^of Modern History no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to

renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 1995

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1995 Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years W e have now been informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory otthe former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador Kotov forwarding the note categorically asserts th a t we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soilrdquo and that extensive research can hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovrsquos letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

2 I would like you to please bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

(Pripuran Singh Haer)

0 M0 5 F f l I I 0 bull rsquo 1 ~ 6 C

Pripuran Singh Haer Charge dAffaires

MOSPOL125190

r o h o11 bull i bull r o j o o r i

trn s laquoPi j a r m rrcsl p - igt llsquo7EM B A S S Y OF INDIA

6-8 U l iu a Votomsovo PolyM O S C O W

Tel No S i 7-CS20 Tolex 413409 INDEMSU

Tgts Fa bullbull-9 3

October 31 19S5

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1SSS Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years We have now bee informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1595 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is nc

s informatcn whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory cf the formeSoviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador

ji Kotov forwarcing the note categorically asserts that we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soil and that extensive research can

1 hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovsbullvu letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

v jf2 1 wouid iike you to piesse bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

kt (Pripuran Singh Haer)

Shri R L Narayan Joint Secretary (EE) Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi

diams i iL Mr Ror on Sen Arnba ssador of Ind ia to th e R u s s i a n F e d e r a t i o n

D e a r R o n e n

E n c lo sed Y o u will find o u r no te c o n c e rn in g S u b h a sh C h a n d ra

Bose D o bel ieve th a t we have t r ied o u r best to discover any relevant

I actsU n f o r tu n a te ly I a m p ro fo u n d ly d is t ressed being u n a b le to provide

t any posi t ive in f o r m a t i o n on th e subject o f no t th e least im p o r t a n c e for

the In d ia n public Alas by now it a p p e a r s that we can be su re tha t Netnj has neve r set foot o n th e R u ss ia n soil Extensive re sea rch car r ied out

u p o n th e latest r eq u es t o f Y o u r s can h a rd ly leave any d oub ts to lhgt

effect

S in ce re ly Y ours Y a K o t o v

w

r lt W 3 lt tfr s t pound 2 3 i

Intervention by H EM rAnatoly MDrukov Ambassador of Russia in India during the

eress-conference on the 210296 in le Foreign Correspondentsrsquo Club__________

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is

deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people

who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73Y uA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

inform ation on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

m uch em otion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

j i

gt J -

i

Directorate of Foreign Relatilt Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

March 20 1997

N 547

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to you and has the honour to forward herewith the letter of Mr L Joychandra Singh addressed a second time to the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

In reply to this repeated query the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence (CAMD) of the Russian Federation has pointed out that there is no other data relating to the fate of Subhash Chandra Bose besides the information conveyed to you vide letter No1843 dated October 28 1996 (enclosing No222672 of the CAMD)

We request you to kindly inform Mr L Joychandra Singh of the above reply from the Archives

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Military Wing of the Embassy of India in Moscow the assurances of its highest consideration

Military Attache in the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation

Brig D Singh

No 19073DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federations presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassyrsquos note verbale No SA 1003 dated 8 January 2003 and the Ministryrsquos note verbale No 1423DA dated 28 June 2001 has the honour to inform you about the following

A search was conducted for documents related to the fate ofSCBose in the following federal archives

Russian State Military Archive (RGVA) Russian State Archives of Socio-Political History (RGASPI) State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) and Russian State Historical Archives of the Far East (RGIA DV) The information requested for was not found in the GARF RGVA and RGIA DV archives

Copies of the documents found in the RGIA DV Archives were sent to the Embassy in 2001

No information has been found about the fate of SC Bose in the Central Archives of the Russian FSB the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in the m anuscript section of the Russian State Library or in the Russian State Archives of Photographic Documents (RGAKFD)

We would also like to inform th a t the personnel archives of Eva Yakovlevna Lyusternik were sent after her death to the Russian Academy of Sciencesrsquo Institute of Oriental Studies and the open part of the archival m aterial on IV Stalin was sent from the archives of the President of the Russian Federation to RGASPI

The Ministry would like to use th is opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

M inistry of Foreign AtlairsR u ssian F ed eratio n

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Moscow 20th March 2003

^ M la iet ja Affaireo f the deration

No S 9 5 4 2 A A

The M inistry of Foreign Affairs of th e R ussian Federation p resen ts its com plim ents to the Em bassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and in continuation of Note No 55382XA dated Septem ber 14 2004 h as the honour to intorm th a t Information sought on the fate of Ind iarsquos p rom inent political figure Netaji S u b h ash C hand ra Bose was no t found in the C entral Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia

The M inistry avails of th is opportun ity to renew to the Em bassy the a ssu ra n ce s of its highest consideration

M oscow October 6 2004

E m bassy o f th e Republic o f India M oscow -

Ministry o f External Affairs CNV Division

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Information Act

Reference note at FR from AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) regarding CICrsquos directives on appeal by Shri Anuj Dhar who was denied information requested concerning disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his whereabouts in the former USSRRussia i f any

2 Vide letter o f 020806 at FA Shri Dhar had requested for (a) certified copies o f complete correspondence between MEA and the Government o f USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referring to Our Embassyrsquos intervention with the Russian MFA in 199219951997 2001 and 2003 and (b) whether MEA sought information from the Russian side in a routine manner through issue o f Note Verbales or some serious efforts were made at a higher level

3 Vide issue o f 250806 at FB CPIO on the basis o f inputs from CNV Division replied to Shri Dhar conveying that (a) requests to the Governments o f the USSRRussia were made through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels and (b) requisite copies o f the correspondence sought cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under provisions of Clause 8(l)(a)amp (f) o f the RTI Act Under Clause8(1)(a) there is noobligation to give any citizen information disclosure o f which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity o f India the security strategic scientific or economic interests o f the State relation with foreign State or lead to incitement o f an offence Under Clause 8(l)(f) there is no obligation to give ldquoinformation received in confidence from foreign governmentrdquo

4 Shri Dhar vide his letter o f 230906 at FC had appealed to then Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) on the ground that the reasons given by the CPIO denying him the information aslced for are untenable With regard to the intervention with the USSRRussian Government for information on Netajirsquos disappearance Shri Dhar seeks to know if this matter was pursued at a higher (say Ministerial) level Regarding Ministryrsquos resort to Clause 8(l)(a) Shri Dhar wrote that this is not intelligible to him as to how correspondence dealing with the disappearance o f a national hero can be threat to India or its relations with USSR which does not exist and has been disowned by the successor state o f the Russian Federation He has also questioned as to why information received in this matter o f national importance should be confidential In response to the appeal C lW Division has conveyed to JS (Inf) and CPIO vide its note dated 011106 at FD that (a) the information sought for by Shri Dhar ie whether serious efforts were made with interventions at higher levels with the Russian Government to seek information on Netajirsquos disappearance does not constitute ldquoinformationrdquo as defined in the RTI Act and the question is anecdotal in nature and (b) that copies o f correspondence cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under the relevant clauses in the RTI Act Though there is no evidence on this NGO file it is our understanding that these views were conveyed by the Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) to Shri Dhar Presumably what was meant was that Shri Dhar was seeking the opinion o f the MEA as to whether the efforts made by GOl in its interventions with the Russian Government were serious or just routinely taken up Since such lsquoopinionrsquo is not covered under Clause 1(0 hence it cannot be construed as lsquoinformationrsquo

6 The undersigned has gone through all available records in NGO Section pertaining to correspondence with the USSRRussian Governments seeking information on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose In particular attention is drawn to a note recorded in December 1998 at FE on linked file giving the chronological background to suchcorrespondence starting from May 1990 in the Note for Supplementaries prepared for Rajya Sabha Starred Question No 174 for answer on 101298 dealing with the Asiatic Societyrsquos request for access to Russian archives It may also be seen from the attached

A

Anticipated Questions and their Answersrsquo that Ministry was willing to disclose the contents o f the Note Verbale received from the Russian Government in response to IUdiaji demarches regarding information on Netaji on the floor o f the House There is no i available on NGO files to indicate if such information was in fact disclosed on the flooi o f the House when the PQ was answered However the point to note is Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose such information As per the last line under Clause 8 o f RTI Act ldquoinformation which cannot be denied to the Parliament or the State legislature shall not be denied to any personrdquo Therefore if such information has already been disclosed on the floor o f the House or even by virtue o f Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose we may no deny such information requested by Shri Anuj Dhar

7 Chronologically the correspondence copies available on file and linked files and sought by Shri Dhar are listed as under

(a) NV No Nil dated 160991 from EI Moscow to MFA USSR Government at FF on linked file

(b) NV No 2YuA dated 080192 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at -FGv -- bullbullbulllaquo mdash bullbull

(c) NV No SA8395 dated 270795 from EI M oscow to MFA Russian Government at FH on linked file

(d) NV No 73YuA dated 271095 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at FI

(e) DO letter from CDA EI Moscow enclosing Amb Kotovrsquos letter to Amb Ronen Sen at FJ on linked file

(f) Record o f intervention by Russian Ambassador to India at a press IK lrsquo ltonffirericebnrsquo2i0296 at FK on linked file

(g) NV No N547 dated 200397 from Russian Defence Ministry to EI Moscow at FL

(h) NV No 19073DA dated 200303 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow aft FM and

(k) NV No 59542DA dated 061004 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow 4 FN

8 A perusaldf the available correspondence shows the continuous effort made by the Ministry through the Embassy in Moscow to obtain information available i f any on Netajirsquos whereabouts in Russia It also shows that such effort was made at very high levels even through correspondence between the Indian Ambassador to Russia and his Russian counterpart One such correspondence is even addressed to a private Indian citizen in Manipur and the same has been passed on to him by our Embassy in Moscow There is no evidence to suggest that such correspondence was received in confidence an not to be disclosed However it would be beyond the competence o f CNV Division to make such a judgment merely on perusal ofthe filesrecords available in NGO SectionAS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) may like to consult Eurasia Division and Embassy o f India Moscow on whether disclosure o f such information under RTI woulc be detrimental to bilateral relations

J)(Debnath ShaiO

X At Wi bull JS (CNV)09 April 20f)7

AS fPP) amp Aeffellate Authority TRTI)

fet L 0 k f t t U a k k f c v J y -TI 4 i t i

cn v w et oA 2 4 JhV oW ei w ttC a

i CIC c h t tfcVe (jEuTA4-IAJ jrteaitcrj At-jKCdh-al tjyin cm Mm+cpL

I M i i ) J L j i t

j J 7

i

-r-

31

FAXTo AS(PP)

MEA New Delhi Fax 91-11-23013387

From First Secretary (Pol) Indembassy Moscow

Rpti) DS[Russia] MEA

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tele 007-495-9163544 Fax 007- 495-9163632

With reference to DS[Russia]rsquos message regarding AS[PP]rsquos note to JS[CNV] No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 9 April 2007 on an appeal filed under No RTI act 2005

2 Please find faxed herewith currently available few copies of this Missionrsquos correspondence with local authorities on the subject We will send more m aterial if available by the earliest diplomatic bag

U ) U v tcrv-4 j

(Dr Suresh Babu) FS [Pol]

13042007

A

- P O C C H H C K A fl A K M E M H H HAYK ^

H H C T H T Y T B O C T O K O B E ^ E H H J I

___________ JV2 ____________________

H a JVs_____________________________ T To 1Justice Mukherji

Commission o f Inquiry M irza Ghalib Street

Kolkata

Dear Sir

This is to inform you that as per your request we have checked the Private

Archive o f Prof EYaLustemic in the Indian Center o f the Institute of Oriental

Studies Russian Academy o f Sciences Moscow

We regret to inform you that there is no document on Subash Chandra Bose

With sincere regards

(Shaumian TLHead the Indian Center o f the Institute o f Oriental Studies

Russian Academy o f SciencesM oscow)

26092005

l0303l(Plttgt CHO 103753 (MeacflyHapoflHbiH) MocKBa T C n yji PoxcnecTBeHKa12 Ten (095)921-1884 (095)925-6461 Oaicc (095)975-2396 E-mail ivran orcru

In contrast to Indian National Congress Bose and his activists basically counted on armed struggle and open cooperation against enemies of England - Germany Italy and Japan Bose dreamed about freedom for India through crushing defeat of Britain Bose could not do it himself so he linked activity of his troops and groups with assault of Germany on India from the West and Japan from the East The aim of Bose was to expedite the assault in all possible ways and reinforce it from inside by subversive Anti-English activity in India and if possible to attached nature o f mass anti-British revolt However at that time not all people considered his activity as ldquosubversiverdquo Fascism was not so popular in India at that time but racism and violence were condemned everywhere A lot of Indians were satisfied with telling blows delivered hateful center o f empire by axis countries in particular against the background of British demonstrative nonshyrecognition of Indian rights for self-determination J Nehru wrote about this period How can we conciliate two basic directions of our policy - opposition to British imperialism and opposition to fascism and nazism How can we adjust our nationalism with our internationalism That was a difficult question for us taking in view current situation However this question would not be difficult if the British Government take a step to show us its refusal from imperialistic policy in India and rely on peoplersquos good willrdquo

But it did not happen Indian public reacted accordingly Describing the psychological atmosphere in the country that time Jawaharlal Nehru wrote ldquoPeople were pushing out not by patriotic feelings but by their willingness to save themselves from an offense and the worstrdquo

So S Bose did not have any mass support but he could use the mood of majority for his own purposes Nehru wrote about it the following ldquoProtection of the imperialism which we were fighting with for such a long time seemed to be non-sense and impossible to usrdquo

Unofficial translation

ldquoMatsottardquo is obtaining Soviet visa

Instructions were really complicated It was necessary to send Subhas Chandra Bose to Germany He was wanted by Britain secret service colonial Administration and local police throughout India Bose was staunch and irreconcilable adversary of Great Britain and may be the most dangerous one at that time

Extracts of the book whiten by Yuri L Kuznets ldquoMarauders are quitting the gamerdquo

Published in 1992 by ldquoInterprakstrdquo Moscow

Of course Bose made his main counting on the military defeat of England at the time when Hitlerrsquos Germany had been already at the war with it and Japan was still neutral So Bose was interested in Berlin When Japan occupied Burma and came close to the Indiarsquos borders Bose reoriented to the Far East

In spring 1941 his ways crossed with Bhagat Ram Bose decided to shift from India to Berlin because some of his friends and relatives were arrested in India and he by himself also was wanted He needed Hitlerrsquos support including financial one Ports we under police control and departure trough one of them was very risky Bose took another way and in February came to Kabul He was accompanied by Bhagat Ram who was not a member o f Bosersquos organization he did not like axis-members but he was posted as Bosersquos escort by his party ldquoKirti Kissanrdquo because o f his knowledge of Phushtun zone which they had to cross as well as Afghanistan and Kabul He also had his own flat in Kabul - the premises which belonged to Ultam Chang and his shop It was supposed that Ram was doing a favour to Bose only due to their common aim - to weak British positions in India at most

Ram fulfilled his task Bose settled down in Kabul and started to make arrangements for the next step of his journey During war time he could come to Germany only through the territory o f USSR For this purpose he required a passport which he did not have German Embassy applied to the Italian one Italians considered the German request positively Bose got passport in respect of Italian citizen Mazzotta Holding this passport Bose applied to the Soviet Embassy for transit visa crossed the USSR territory and came to Berlin

Mazzotta disappeared But German Consulate General drew attention to Bhagat Ram who was introduced as a powerful Indian activist in Afghanistan and India with anti-British orientation It was o f interest and he was suggested to work for the German Secret Service German resident was satisfied with Ramrsquos past his contacts and mood especially because he was concerned about difficulties o f the anti-British activities in India shortage of agents and information as well as conspiratorial bases in India Bosersquos recommendation also helped Ram was thinking it would be important for me and my party to establish contacts with enemies of their enemies

Offer on co-operation was accepted Ram left German Consulate having 100 000 Indian Rupees in his pocket 12 guns and ballets Money and arms were required by the people whom Ram would be recruiting in India Since May 1941 after the German finished their checking Ram had become the main agent o f the German Secret Service in India

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337 Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 9 4 0 5 September 9 2005

The Em bassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Em bassyrsquos earlier Note Verbales on the visit of a delegation of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 20-30 2005 in connection with enquiring into the facts and circum stances relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

It is confirmed th a t all logistical arrangem ents for official JMCI delegation and the accompanying eight deponents would be facilitated by the Embassy with no financial implications to the Russian side

It would be appreciated if the decision of the esteemed Ministry on visas for the visiting team may kindly be expedited

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

Copy to Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

No 5830 2DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Notes No SA16605 of 08 August No SA17405 of 18 August and No SA17905 and No SA18005 of 26 August this year has the honour to inform as follows

Justice Mukherjee as a Head of the Delegation set up by the Government of India to inquire about life of Subhas Chandra Bose pertaining to the period from 1945 onwards as well as the accompanying delegation will be given access to the documents kept in the Reading Halls o f the Federal and State Archives of the Subjects o f the Russian Federation in Moscow St Petersburg Irkutsk and Omsk through the Federal Archives Agency of the Russian Federation All expenditures related to the arrangements for their visit air-passage accommodation transport and medical insurance etc should be borne by the Indian side The Federal Archive Agency requests to inform Mr MK Mukherjee of the addresses of Federal Archives given below

1 Russian State Archive for social and political history - 103 821 Moscow 15 B Dmitrovka Str Director - Kiril M Anderson Tel 229 97 26

2 Russian State Archive of Audio- Photo Documents - 143 400 Moscow Region Krasnogorsk 1 Rechnaya Str Director - Lyudmila P Zapryagaeva Tel 562 14 64 563 08 45

3 Russian State Archive for Phono Documents 105 005 Moscow3 2ya Baumanskaya Str Director - Vladimir A Kolyada Tel 261 13 00

4 Russian State Naval Archive - 191 186 St Perersburg 36 Millionnaya Str Director - Vladimir S Sobolev Tel (812)312 11 37

The Federal Archives Agency recommends the following for work with the documents o f

- Central State Archive of St Petersburg - to apply to St Petersburg Archives Committee (193 015 St Petersburg 39 Tavricheskaya Str) Chairman of the Committee - Mr Anatoly D Yashkov Tel (812) 271 44 55)

- State Archive of Omsk Region - to apply to the Archive Department of the Ministry for State and Legal Development o f Omsk Region Head - Ms Galina Yu Borodina (644 099 Omsk 1 Tretyakova Str) Tel (381-2) 25 57 26

- State Archive of Irkutsk Region - to apply to Archive Department of Irkutsk Region Head - Ms Nadezhda K Shestakova (664003 Irkutsk 36a Gorkogo Str) Tel (395-2) 24 06 42

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow ldquo 15 ldquo September 2005

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA Moscow

slvNon-paper

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9

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow___ Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337

Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 8 0 0 5 August 26 2005

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Embassyrsquos earlier communications regarding the visit of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 18-30 2005

By way of background information given below are the relevant details of JMCI -

(i) The Government o f India Ministry o f Home Affairs New Delhi vide a gazette notification No S 0339(B) dated 14th May 1999 appointed Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry for Inquiry into the Alleged Disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under Section (3) o f the Commission o f Inquiry Act o f 1952 (60 o f 1952)

(ii) As per this notification Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry shall inquire into all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945 and subsequent developments connected therewith including-(a) whether Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is dead or alive(b) I f he is dead whether he died in the plane crash as alleged(c) Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are the ashes o f Netaji(d) Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and if

so when and how(e) I f he is alive in respect o f his whereabouts

(iii) The Commission shall also examine the manner in which the exercise o f Scrutiny o f Publications touching upon the question o f death or otherwise on Netaji can be undertaken by the Central Government in the circumstances

(iv) Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry is funded by the Ministry o f Home Affairs Government o f India and is an official Commission

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

Copy to M inistry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV t J 001

A MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS (PP) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of material immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

Deputy Secretary (Russia) Ph 23015199 Intercom 2285

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

Dr T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

T c J i h irvMUt(SOMNATH GHOSH)

Deputy Secretary Ministry of External Affairs

New Deifci

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 1^1002

( t

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No R T I-2 pound _ A S (P P )2 0 0 7

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance_of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anufpfiar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) 6t

Appellate Authority (RTI) 09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

g^py forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - H W U(Ajal Choudhfy)

1 o 7

0 v

j N lsquoaA gt ^ 1 ^

04 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV

MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS-iEP-) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of matenal immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

D tpu ij u su ta i J iu J o ia JPh 23015199 Intercom 228S

D r T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

h i 7-

_100pound 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 002

Most Immediate

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No RTI-HiLAS(PP) 2007

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed bv Shri Anul Dhar under RTI 200S - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anurbhar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC ------ = = = = mdash

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) amp

Appellate Authority (RTI)09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

JZopy forwarded to JS(Eurasla) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - t t U X f (Ajal ChoudMfy)

k

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Square C u t Raider A4 434Made in London

Blue 43403 Green 43404 Grey 43405 Orange 43406 Pink 43407 Red 43408 Yellow 43409 Mauve 43414

Page 14: V ' . . . Disci* wi/K 0*s*/ - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ...

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copy

M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Tel 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u s rs m e a g o v in

WI (AD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u F S (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P lease find a ttached a self-exp lanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f Subhash C hand ra Bose u n d er the R T I Act for kind necessary action a t your end

ahul S hrivastava) U n d er S ecre tary 7 Janu ary 2 0 0 8

No RTI5517606Ministry of External Affairs

( RTI Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquos note WI (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content of the note was conveyed to the Information Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government of

j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russian 1 Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the National

Achieve o f India

We have received a communication to this effect from the CIC which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(AK Nag) JS (Wei amp Inf) amp CPIO

December 18 2007

In fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r

gt O P KEJARIWAL fe laquoft-110067 B lo ck-IV 5 th F lo o r O ld JN U C a m p u s

N e w D e lh i-1 1 0 0 6 7 T ele fax 26717351

C entra In fo rm a t io n C o m m is s io n

November 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T I5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian Governm ent for disclosure of the N eta ji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar We have now received a le tte r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N eta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portan t from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere ind iv idualrsquos in terest He suggests and reuests therefore that this m ateria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India from abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m a tte r t h erefore is pursued w ith the I Russian G overnm ent so th a t w hatever m ateriah s o f va lue a nd in te rest to India m ay com e to us especially in the present case

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) Ministry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

Yours sincerely

(OP Kejariw al)

To 26 November 2007

Dr OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner Central Information Commission Old JNU Campus New Delhi - 110067

Subject R eq u est to Ind ian Errbassy to procure p ost-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian arch ives

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter NoR TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2007 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision N oC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made v this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the

Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Embassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

i

2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing ruies or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at times provide information A request from the Embassy of India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

^ would not yvant this exercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant records are identified the Embassy may procure them for the National Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India

since they are likely to provide a never befc 3 insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world w a r for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n L ____2 63 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mayzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez iden ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)[A rch ive o f the P res id en t o f the R uss ian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lsk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606-13-33 Fax (495 ) 606 -19 -66

2 Is to riko-dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del R F (ID D M ID) [H is torico-D ocum enta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in is try o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o lenska ia -S enna ia p loshchad 3234 Tel (495) 244-32-19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i po litik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (A V P RF)[A rch ive o f Fore ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241-04-80

4 Tsen tra lrsquonyi a rkh iv M in is te rs tva o bo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f D e fense]142100 M oskovskaia ob las t P odo lrsquosk ul K irova 74 Tel (495) 715-90-05 (0967) 54-00-03

5 G lavno je R azvedyva te lno je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilitary In te lligence D irecto ra te arch ives Address not know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 TsentraPnyi a rkh iv Federa lno i s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (TsA FSB R ossjj)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F edera l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzhby vneshne i razvedki RF (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)[O perational A rch ive o f the Fore ign In te lligence S erv ice ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 5110Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 245 -33 -68 Fax (495) 247-05-29

8 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (TsA M VD R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In te rna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovocherem ushk inska ia 67 (Archive) ul Zoi i A leksa nd ra K osm odem iansk ikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-90

2

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A deg U lt 6 S (3 2 -

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bull - - - bull bull

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-0

F a x M e s s a g e P n o m

7 Jan 2008 1626

NameFax Number

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C

L i

DIRlt ERS)MEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1626 P0105

M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Te l 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u srs m eag o v in

WI(AJD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u FS (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P le as e find a ttached a self-explanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f S ubhash C hand ra Bose under the RT Act for kind necessary action a t your end

lahul S h rivastava) U n d e rs e c re ta ry 7 J a n u a ry 2 0 0 8

DIR(ERS gtMEflRNQ235C 7 Jan 2008 16=26 P020b

No RTI5517606 Ministry of External Affairs

( RTX Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquo s note W I (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser o f complete correspondence

with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash | Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content o f the note was conveyed to the Information j Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant bull The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government o f j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russiani Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the Nationali bull

W e have received a communication to this effect from the CIC

i s J

Achieve o f India

which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(A K Nag) JS (W ei amp Inf) amp CPIO1

December 18 2007

DIR( ERS gtMEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1627 P 0305

gt O P KEJARIWALSTTJprf

-MiX TR 4 58 cfcr TPTT

fcc=6ft11 0 0 6 7 Biock-lV 5th Floor Oki JNU Campus

I n fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r New Delhi-110067 Telefax 26717351

Centra Information Commission

Novem ber 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T 5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian G overnm ent fo r disclosure of the N etaji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar W e have now received a le t te r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N e ta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portant from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere individuals in terest He suggests and reuests th ere fo re that this m a te ria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India f rom abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m atte r therefore is pursued w ith the Russian Governm ent so th a t w hatever m ateria l is of va lue and interest to India may come toTis especially in the present case

Yours sincerely

(O P Kejariw al)

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) M inistry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C 7 Jan 2008 16 = 2 P 0405

02 6 N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 7

Dr OP Kejariwal information Com missioner Central Information Commission

+ Old JNU Campus N ew Delhi - 110067

Subject R e q u e s t to Ind ian Em bassy to procure post-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian a rc h ive s

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter N o R TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2 0 07 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTi Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision NoC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

lt think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Em bassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

4 2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing rules or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at tim es provide information A request from the Embassy o f India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

I would not w ant this e xercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant fcS ords s re identified the Em bassym ay procure them fo rtheN atTonal Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India since they are likely to provide a never befc s insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

1

DIR ( ERS) ME ARN0235C7 Jan 2008 16=27

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world war for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n t 2 6 3 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mazzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez idsn ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)Archive o f th e P re s id e n t o f the R ussian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lrsquosk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606 -13 -33 Fax (495) 606-19-66

2 Is to riko -dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del RF (ID D M ID) [H is to rico -D ocum en ta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in istry o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o ie nska ia -S en n a ia p loshchad rsquo 3234 Tel (495) 244 -32 -19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i p o lit ik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (AVP RF)[A rch ive o f Fo re ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241 -04 -80

4 Tsen tra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva obo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f th e M in is try o f D e fense] - bull -142100 M oskovska ia o b la s t P odo lsk ul K irova74 Tel (495 )715-90-05 (0 9 6 7 )5 4 -0 0 -0 3

5 G lavno je R a zve dyva te ln o je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilita ry In te lligence D irectora te a rch ives A ddress no t know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv FederaPnoi s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (T sA FS B R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F e de ra l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzh by vneshne i razvedki R F (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)(O perational A rch ive o f the F o re ign In te lligence Service ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 51 10Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 2 4 5 -33 -6 8 Fax (495) 247-05-29

Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (T sA M VD R ossii)[Central A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In terna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovoche rem ushk inska la 67 (Archive) ul Z o i i A le ksa n d ra K osm odem ianskikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-30

ffs

amp-3gt) i c y v

Embassy of India Moscow(Political Wing) f t

r r v ^Subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with USSRRussia over the

disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 reg

Reference remarks made by the Ambassador on FR a letter from JS (Wei ampInf) addressed to Shri OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner copy endorsed to Min (Pol) on the above subject

Back ground of the case On receipt o f a copy o f AS (PP )rsquo s Note No RTI- 36AS(PP)07 dated 942007 on the above subject Mission vide fax dated 130407 forwarded few copies o f Missionrsquos correspondence with the local authorities on the subject to AS(PP) -------- At F A

Subsequently on receipt o f JS(ERS)rsquo s letter No 1 lJS(ERS)2007 dated 20407 enclosed with A S (PP )rsquo s Note No 30AS(PP)07 amp JS(CNV)rsquo s Note along with copies o f correspondence available in CNV Division on the subject Mission has sent a Note Verbale No SA8907 dated 1752007 to Russian Foreign Ministry requesting for the views o f the Russian side whether the information provided by them could be released to the appellant -------At FB

Documents provided by Russian side and forwarded to the Commission

(i) Documents initially provided by the Russian side attached with Note Verbale No1423 DA dated 28h June 2001 which was forwarded to the Ministry on August

31 2001 may please be seen a t-----FC in the linked file

(ii ) On the basis of an affidavit submitted to the Justice Mukherjee Commission a Note Verbale No SA25904 dated December 22 2004 was sent to the M FA and reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 13142 DA dated 4 March 2005 enclosed with a copy of letter from Mr V Sayadyants to the Soviet Ambassador to Iran Mr IV Sadchikov regarding the political situation in India in 1946 may please be seen a t--------FD in the linked file

Response of the Russian side

( i) A reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 42952 DA dated 2262007 stating therein that ldquo the documents from Russian Archives handed over in June 2001 were for official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up by it for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo This was conveyed to the Ministry vide letter No MOSPOL125190 dated 472007 --------At FE

P2

2

Again on receipt o f a copy o f the decision o f Central Information Commission vide No RTI5517606 dated 22082007 (At FF) Mission took up the matter with M FA vide Note Verbale No SA17307 dated 1892007 for which a reply was received vide No 42952DA dated 11007 reiterating their view that the documents from RussianArchives were submitted exclusively for official use by the GOI including Thiswas conveyed to the Ministry vide E-gram dated 10102007-----At FG

Submitted as desired by Min (Pol) please

2

f^TT FTRTTM IN ISTR Y O F E X TE R N A L A F FA IR S

NEW D ELH I

Dated 2nd November 2007 I gt gt v

gt ldquo $

NoRTI551762006

Shri OP KejariwalInformation Commissioner Central Information Commission Club Building Old JNU Campus New Delhi-110 067 bull

Subject- Disclosure o f complete correspondenc e with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RT[ Act 2005

SirAs per directives o f the Honrsquoble Central Information

Commission contained in Para 13 o f the decisioNoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi seeking certified copies o f the complete correspondence this Ministry had with the Governments of the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

9 ^ 2 Our Embassy in Moscow again approached the Government of Russian Federation to get their consent to the disclosure o f documents under reference but the Government of Russian Federation reiterated that documents were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government o f India for investigation o f Netajee Subhash Chandra Bose disappearance

3 However they state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note o f the Embassy can approach the authorities o f the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy o f India for permission to get to know the M aterials deposited in Federal and State Archives o f the Russian Federation

OV-

g ji)

j d L

Yours faithfully

(AK Nag) Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer

_ f

- i V lt L

Copy for information forwarded to-

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110 018

2 Director(ERS) Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi with reference to his Note NoW l(AD)5511007 dated 25102007

Minister (Pol) Embassy o f India Moscow

Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp Central Public Information Officer

N o W l(A D ) 5 5 1 1 0 0 7 M inistry o f External A ffa irs

(ERS D ivision)

W ith re ference your N ote No R T I5 5 1 7 6 0 6 dated 2 2 8 2 0 0 7 to JS (E R S ) regarding d isclosure o f com plete correspondence w ith the USSRRussia o v e r th e d is a p p e a ra n c e o N e ta ji S u b h a s h C h a n d ra B o s g u n d e r R T I A c t 2005 p lease find enclosed th e unofficial translation o f th e note verb ale dated 1 0 c to b e r rsquo0 7 sent by R ussian M inistry o f Foreign Affairs in reply to the note verbale sent by our E m bassy in M o scow on the subject

(A rya S an d e e p ) D irector (E R S )

2 5 O ctob er 2 0 0 7

JS (W ei amp Inf ampCentral Public In form ation O fficer

v C op y to M in ister (Pol) E m bassy o f India M oscow

U n o ffic ia l T ra n s la tio n

Quote

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highest consideration

Moscow 01st October 2007

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

For official use only

E-GRAM

NoMOSPOL 125 190 laquo y October 10 2007

From To

Indembassy Moscow Foreign New Delhi

AStERS) from Minister (Poll

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

Q u o teUnofficial translation

Moscow 01st October 2007

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

sd-(Dr Subhakanta Behera)

Minister (Political)

a I JH

NICEMAIL r^T^X Page 1 o f 1

y

Current Folder SentMaill y II

I - Compose rsquo^ Addresses ^ Folders EOptions gt Search ^ H e lp sij^Fetch ^ss^Calen

Message List | Delete | Edit Previous I Next Forward I Forward as Attachment | Reply | Reply A ll Message as N ew ------------1 ----------- 1-------------------------------- 1 ldquo r J 1

Subject Message from EI MoscowFrom dcmmoscowmeagovinDate Wed October 10 2007 110 pm

To jsersmeagovinPriority NormalOptions V iew Full Header | V iew Printable V ersion | Add to Addressbook

Attachments

untitled -[l] Ok [texthtm l] download | view

MQS10100716dth 175 k [ applicationoctet-stream ] download

10)0o

NoMOSpOL125190 October 10 2007

From Indernbassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

AS(BRS) from Minister (Pol)

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

Q u o teUnofficial translation

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of

September 20o7 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22laquod of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

For official use only

1

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

Moscow 01st October 2007

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Minister (Political)

No64682DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and

the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 da ted the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

In add ition to the Note o f the M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion No 429 5 2D A dated the 22 nd o f June 2007 in form tha t docum ents from R ussian a rch ives w ere subm itted e xc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the

the Com m issionAfor investiga tion o f N eta jee S ubhas C handra B ose d isappea rance d e ta iis ^s ta b lis h e d by the G ove rnm en t o f IndiaD

p TU-Indian c itizen m en tioned in the Note o f the E m bassy has ^ f fg h t th rough the E m b a s sy tfo request and to fee- get to k n o w ^ a te r ia ls depos ited in Federa l and S ta te A rch ives o f the R ussian F ede ra tion w ith the perm iss ion o f its authorities

The M in is try ava ils th is opportun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest conside ra tion

M oscow 01st O ctober 2007

A ppend ix N ote N o4295 2D A

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

ampJk i A

lAK i

M

bull J U h J t ^ J JLflJ L (L S U s ^ S u (jrcopywO ^ (V|Pj iVv ^ |0]laquo f 1 r i r I - r r J I - 1Olgt-^ |1 CJ |ltg fkiiXn

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o 1

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Nlti 4 2 9 5 2 M

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No42952DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and quo ting the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 dated the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

D ocum ents from R ussian a rch ives m entioned in the N ote o f the E m bassy w ere subm itted in particu lar in June 2001 exc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the use by the C om m iss ion fo r inves tiga tion o f N e ta jee S ubhas C handra Bose d isappea rance deta ils estab lished by the G ove rnm en t o f India

W e a lso in form tha t the access to Federa l and S ta te A rch ive s o f the R ussian Federa tion is a llow ed w ith the perm iss ion o f Federa l a rch ives A g en cy (R osarch ives) the read ing in read ing room s o f concre te a rch ives w ith th e perm ission o f a rch ives s truc tu res au tho rities o f co rrespond ing bod ies on the basis o f appea l o f E m bassies sc ien tific research ins titu tes and pub lic o rgan iza tions

The M in is try ava ils th is oppo rtun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest considera tion

M oscow 02nd June 2007

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

MHHHCTepcTBO PiHocTpaHHbix 0eji Pocchhckoh

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No SA8907 ot 17 Mah 2007 rofla HMeeT qecrb coo6ihhtigt

cjreiyiomee

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MHHHCTepcTBO nojib3yeTCfl cuynaeM h t o 6 m b o3o 6 h o b h t b

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M ocKBaWo I S P

NoSA17307

gt v

TRcT ltTv5f rram TTWTEMBASSY OF INDIA

MOSCOWriOCOIbCTBO HhaMM

MocKBa

18 September 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure of entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

J rThe Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent

vdeg a u th o r ity (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sidersquos view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set

^ up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji V A Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not

^ disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if suchaterial could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry it

could be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissionrsquos work is over Thecompetent authority is of the opinion that the material in question could be disclosed

W ^ deg the Appellant They further advised the Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi to formal clearance for the disclosure of the entire material on the above subject

J ^ ^ ^ f r o r y ^ e ^ i l i s s i a n side

- esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure of the above material maylease be communicated to this Mission at an early date

-

f

mbassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to tfte ^ in ijP r^W f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ^ of the Russian F e d e r ^ J ^(2nd Asia Department) 4 - 1 ^ gt i Csy~~~ aM o s c o w 1

6-8 yn BopoHUOBO rioie 131940 r MocKBa

Ten 007-095-783-75-35 007-095-783-75-34

wwwindianembassyru

tjgt2 t 007-095-916-36- 3 2 007-095-975-23-37

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR

JS(WelampInf) amp Central Public Information Officer has forwarded u s the CIC decision with request to initiate action in accordance with p a ra -13 th e Information Commission is all for disclosure of the material The CIC does not see any reason why the m aterial should not be disclosed now to any researcher since the Justice Mukherjee Commissionrsquos work is over Accordingly it has advised the Ministry of External Affairs to seek the formal clearance from the Russian authorities in the m atter

2 DCMrsquos last comm unication with JS(ERS) was made on 4th July 2007 DCM had forwarded the translation of the note verbale received from the Russian Foreign Office

3 In the light of above we may again send a note verbale to the Foreign Office in accordance with p a ra -13 of the CIC decision

Subm itted please

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

Sept 13 2007

NoSA17307 $ September 2007

The Embassy o f India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure o f entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

The Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent authority (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sides view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if such material could be made available to the Justice Mukheerjee Commission for inquiry they see no reason why-thisO material should iw k be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissions work is over The competent authority is of the ifem opinion that the material in question should be disclosed to the Appellant They further advised the Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi to obtain formal clearance for the disclosure o f the entire material on the above subject from the Russian side

The esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure o f the above material may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2nd Asia Department) Moscow

No R TI5517606 Ministry o f External Affairs

(RTI Division)

Subject - Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

Please find enclosed herewith Central Information Com m issionrsquos decision NoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar o f New Delhi

2 It is requested that necessary action may please be initiated in accordance with para-13 o f the CIC decision

EnclAs above

JS (Eiirasia)

(AiC Nag) Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer22-08-2007

mdash o j^ VxkxraquoA

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(XaA

- e j

(e-US)

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S c

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gf if raquofn2(gt0Dy N o pound 3 amp RTI D1V200gt

Central Information Commission ilaquoWDlaquoted4i^USd|ampL~

sect $ I| | i yyNoCICOKA200600671

Dated 10 August 2007

Name of the Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar263 Kangra NiketanVikaspuri New Delhi - 110 018

Name of the Public Authority Ministry of External Affairs

Background

Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi filed an application with the PIO Ministry of

External Affairs on 2 August 2006 for seeking certified copies of the complete

correspondence the Ministry of External Affairs had with the Governments of

the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash

Chandra Bose

2 The PIO vide his letter dated 25 August 2006 informed the Appellant that

the request to the Government of USSR and the Russian Federation were made

through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels The PiO also stated that the

requisite copies of the correspondence could not be disclosed at it involves the

relations with a foreign State and so was exempt from disclosure as per the

provisions of Clause 8(1 )(a)amp(f) of the RTI Act

3 Dissatisfied with the reply of the PIO the Appellant filed an appeal with

the first Appellate Authority on 23 September 2006 who vide his letter dated 6

November 2006 again denied disclosure of the documents taking recourse to the

Section 8(1 )(a) and (i) The bench of Dr OP Kejariwal Information

mmissioner heard the matter on 23 March 2007

4 The main stand of the Respondents to the information sought by the

Appellant which is regarding the correspondence between India and the

Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia was that this

information could not be disclosed as it was likely to affect the countryrsquos

relationship with another State On making enquiries from the Respondents it

was clear that this correspondence had neither been seen nor been examined

by an expert to come to such a conclusion Therefore the Commission felt

that the Applicantrsquos application had been treated casually

5 The Commission then directed the Respondents to first have this

correspondence examined by their own experts and if need be by an outside

expert who they could rely on and then take a firm decision In case the

experts came to the conclusion that the applicability of the denial clause was

not relevant in the case the material could be disclosed to the Appellant

However in case the Respondents came to the conclusion that the relations

between the Governments of india and Russia would be affected through the

disclosure of this information the Commission would like the issue to be

settled only after a reference had been made to the Government of Russia

6 The matter was taken up for a second hearing by the bench of Dr OP

Kejariwal Information Commissioner on 10 August 2007

7 Shri AK Naag Joint Secretary (Inf amp Wei) amp CPIO and Shri Nand

Kishore Under Secretary (RTI) represented the Respondents

8 The Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar was present in person

Decision

9 The Commission heard both the sides During the hearing the

Respondents stated before the Commission that they had received a response

from the Government of the Russian Federation Moscow in pursuance of the

Commissionrsquos earlier Order in the matter dated 23 March 2007

10 This letter stated ldquoaccording to the correspondence received from the

Embassy of India Moscow the Russian Foreign Office has stated that the

documents handed over by them in June 2001 were meant only for the GOIrsquos

official use and for the work of the Commission in investigations into the

disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo

11 During the hearing the Appellant stated that his request included the

entire correspondence between the Governments of India and the USSR

regarding nf NPtajirsquos disappearance The Commission accepted this

request and directed the Respondents to clearly mention this while seeking the

approval of the Russian authorities for disclosure of this material

12 Also during the hearing the Appellant made a plea for a copy of the

letter received by the Ministry of External Affairs resulting from the application

that he had made on the issue The Commission saw no objection in this

request and directs the Respondents to supply a copy of this letter to the

Appellant

13 The Commission further feels that if the material could be made

available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the

disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be

disclosed now to any Researcher now that that Commissionrsquos work is over The

information Commission therefore is all for disclosure of this material to the

Appellant However it advises the Ministry of External Affairs to seek a formal------ ------ - _ ____________ ___

clearance from the Russian Authorities in the matter

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110018

Shri AK Nag Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) a Central Public Information Officer Room No 207 Akbar Bhawan Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110021

3 Shri Ajay Choudhary Additional Secretary amp Appellate Authority Room No 144 C South Block Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110011

4 Officer Incharge NSC

5 Press E Group CIC

(OP Kejariwal) Information Commissioner

Cc

The Statesman

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01

[ India ]-

Netaji filesrsquo disclosure ordered

New Delhi Aug 16 The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the external affairs ministry to disclose its correspondence with the erstwhile USSR over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra BoseldquoThe Commission feels that if the material could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be disclosed to any researcher nowrdquo information commissioner Mr OP Kejariwal saidThe Commission made this observation while hearing Mission Netajirsquos plea for certified copies of the complete correspondence between India and the USSR over Netajirsquos disappearance in 1945 The CIC in its decision relied on a letter from officials in Moscow that said the documents which were handed over to India were meant for ldquoofficial use and for the work o f the Mukherjee Commission n PTI

Discussion on this Ind ia itemDisclaimer These are Internet generated discussion threads for which the The Statesman has no responsibilityNo discussions on this item

t o P os

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Usernar

Passwo

New

9 fM raquo f -

m m m m

O ther India

Cabinet nod to new farm scheme

Q case CBI m ay cancel notice

Thaw in Left-UPA ties

Keshubhai joins rebels

http wwwthestatesmannetpagenewsphpclid=2amptheme=ampusrsess=lampid=l 66383 8172007

N o f j j M j l J X K

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raquo

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR and noting of FS(Pol) thereon

2 It seems the Russian Foreign Office does not want to add anything beyond what they have already pu t in the note verbale of Ju n e 22 2007 However if the said note verbale is read together with the bilateral Agreement of 2000 it becomes clear th a t there is no bar oft supplying confidential information to persons asking for the sam e According to Article 3b ot the Agreement decisions to hand over particular classified information shall be taken by the Parties on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the laws of their States

3 Moreover as a scrutiny of the correspondences between the SovietRussian and Indian sides shows they do not contain any sensitive information All the correspondences convey the result of the search in the Russian Archives Perhaps tha t is why JS(CNV) was inclined to suggest the disclosure of the correspondences

4 Given my positive view on the m atter for disclosure of the correspondences I would however like to propose tha t the Ministry may be sent a copy of the note verbale received from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to take into cognizance of the Agreement of 2000 before taking any final decision on the m atter If needed LampT Division in the Ministry may also be consulted

Subm itted please

(r

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

July 3 2007

No 42952DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation and in reference to the Note SA8907 dated 17th May 2007 has honour to inform the following -

The documents from Russian archives referred to in the Embassyrsquos note in particular handed over in June 2001 for official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set up by it for the investigation of circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

cm)

a

W e further inform that the access to materials belong to federal and state archives of the Russian Federation is given with the consent of Federal Agency of Achieves (Rosarchiv) and permission to work in reading halls of agency archives is given by authorities of archives belong to concerned agencies on direct requests by embassies scientific amp research institutions and social organizations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation assurances of its highest consideration

^ ft o j L (vLoo jP xjlJ~plt~ Moscow 22 June 2007

J ~ L 1 ^ mdash -J - ~ ^

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NoS -^ V JS (E R S )0 7

I

9 hTIclt o agtA

P ^ gt r^ yV lt gt V gilaquo )laquo A ^ t Ministry o f External AffairsSouth Block New D elh i-110 011 M ail jsers m eagovin

J L ^ 7 7 0 A A t u - Phone 23017411

PhFax 2 3 0 1 9 2 2

j 3 gt kC ) h ^ Alt 5 ^ ^ M-V r Vw

T his is w ith reference to m y le tter no 11 J S (E R S)2007 d a ted April 20 2007 regard ing a req u e s t m ade u n d e r ldquoRight to in form ationrdquo (copy enclosed for ready reference) It is req u ested th a t th e R u ssian s id e rsquos resp o n se m ay kindly be in tim ated^atjan early da te ^ ^

rajj-vMaaS

Y ours sincerely

(Dr J Bhagwati

X ^h ri D ivyabh M an ch an d a D eputy C hief of M ission E m bassy of Ind ia Moscow

Copy to

AS(PP) JS(CNV)

(Dr J Bhagwati)

No 11 JS (E R S ) 2 0 0 7

Deari

Please refer to AS (PP) an d Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 M arch 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence betw een the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra B osersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E u rasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm w ith the R ussian side w hether they would have any objection to release of correspondence received from them on th is subject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos response m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

S d -(Dr J Bhagwati)

Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) A^(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

S

20 April 2007h

( Dr J Bhagwati )

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tel 7837535 Fax 9752337

NoSA8907 17 May 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 2YuA dated 8 January 1992 and subsequent correspondence (viz No 73YuA dated 27 October 1995 N 547 dated 20 March 1997 19073DA dated 20 March 2003 and 59542DA dated 6 October 2004) including a letter from Ambassador Yu Kutov regarding information about the reported stay of a former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

An Indian citizen had filed a petition under the Right to Information Act 2005 for obtaining all informationdocuments relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The information obtained from the Russian side was denied to the appellant at that time

^Thereupon an appeal was filed by the concerned citizen and currently the V Government of India is considering whether the informationdocuments

-t obtained from Russian authorities on the subject could be released toappellant Views of the Russian side whether the information provided by

( them could be released to the appellant would be essential for the^ f Government of India to take decision on the matter

The esteemed Ministryrsquos views on the matter may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the

s of its highest consideration

f V Ministry of Foreign AffairsL o f the Russian Federation

cr - A sia Department) ^V ^^(V io sco w

A V

Ministry o f External Affairs South Block N ew D elh i-110 011 Mail jsers m eagovinMail jsers m ea Phone 23017411

i]r

Phone 23017411 PhFax 23011922

S e c r e t

No H JS (E R S )2007

Dear L b ]

Please refer to AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence between the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra Bosersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E urasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm with the R ussian side w hether they would have

amp any objection to release of correspondence received from them on thissubject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos re~sponse m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

^Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) AS(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

( Dr J B hagw ati)

V

V No^5AS(PP)2007

Right to Inform atioi Timt

Most Im

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)rsquos Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Inform ation Act 2 005

Shri Anuj Dhar had initially requested this Ministry last year requesting form information on the following two points-

1 Certified copies of complete correspondence the MEA has had with the Governments o f the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

2 Confirmation on whether the Ministry had sought information from the erstwhile Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation by merely issuing Notes Verbale or some serious efforts were ever made at a higher (say Ministerial) level to uncover the mystery surrounding the fate of Netaji

filed an appeal with the CIC The appeal was considered by the CIC on 23 March 2007 The CIC has directed that the Ministry should have the documents under reference carefully examined by a panel of experts to determine whether the information sought by the applicant can be given or not

While we have not received the final decision of the Commission this would a time-bound exercise and it is therefore requested that JS(CNV) may please make the records available to me for a preliminary examination so that expeditious action can be taken on receipt of the formal decision of the CIC

The information was denied to Shri Dhar by this Ministry whereupon he

(AjAdditional Secretary (PP) fit

Appellate Authority (RTI) 28 March 2007

JS(CNV)

Copy forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with the request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me as soon as possible

o f iHC-ifl no 3 20 HOO bull rsquobull bullP

vrrwr 5fn tnrvtEMBASSY OF IN D IA

6-0 Ulitsa Obukha M O S C O W

Tel No 237-0820

t t v

Septe mb er 16 1991

The Embassy of I nd ia presents its compli me nt s to the Mi nistry of For ei gn Aff ai rs of the USSR and has the ho nour to enclose her ew it h a c o ll ect io n opound documents or NetSji S ub ha sh C h an d ra B o s e at one time a President of the Ind-ior N at io na l C o n g r e s s and a leading fig are in ths Indian freedom movement received from H r _ Ch it ts S s s u M em b er of P ar l ia m en t and Gene ra l Secretary All r d i a Forward Bloc a group founded by Meta ji Subhas-i X h 3 n d r a Fgt = $ e ord at present a c o n s t it ue n t of tne Left Front G o v e r n shyment in the Indian state of West Bengal

2 In these d o c u me n ts there are su ggestions quotingthe then Soviet A m b a s s a d o r in Kabul and the Soviet Vice Consu l in T e h er an to the effect that Netaji Subhash Chandra

itighr have found his way to the Soviet Union after the alleged ae ro p la n e cr as h in August 1 9 A 5 As recently as March 5 I990 The H i n d u s t a n Time an Indian daili n e w s p a p e r quoted a scholar of the Soviet Institute if Or ie nt al S t ud ie s to the effect t h a t there are t c S o v i e t sc ho la rs who have applied to tne Covernen-c of the US Sr for pe rm is si on to e xa min e cla ss if ie d documents

3- In the light of the current policy on Soviet nationala r ch i ve s the Embassy of India would appreciate if an rate- rial that sheds light on the fate of Netaji Subhush Chandra Dose in the a rch iv es of S ov ie t or ga nisations including s ec u r i t y o r g a ni s at io ns is made available to the Embassy of India

A The Ere bossy of India n vails itself of this opportunityto renew to the M i n s t r y of Foreign Affairs of the USSH the a s s u r a n c e s of its highest c on si deration

Seal

M i n i t r y of Foreign Af fa ir s Covernment of USSRM o s c o bullgt

E rc 1 a s a b o v e

if nI

(rough translation)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation

No ZAuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that according to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no information whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow8 January 1992

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

trrlter r_ EM B A S S Y OF INDIA6-8 Ulitsa Voiomsovo Polyo

N o S A 8 3 9 5 July 27 19SS

The Embassy of India presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to correspondence resting with their Note Verbaie No 2YuA of S January 15S2 regarding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Enclosed is a booklet which contends that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may have come to the former Soviet Union in 1945 There has teen further speculation in this context reportedly on the basis of archival materials In view of this it would be highly appreciated if ail materials available on the subject couid be examined for a final determination on whether or not Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose entered or stayed anywhere in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 or subsequently

The Embassy of India avails itself of tnis opportunity to renew to tne Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration - bull -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (South Asia Department) Moscow

v

(Unofficial T ransl

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

73YuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central Archival Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents^of Modern History no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to

renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 1995

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1995 Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years W e have now been informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory otthe former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador Kotov forwarding the note categorically asserts th a t we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soilrdquo and that extensive research can hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovrsquos letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

2 I would like you to please bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

(Pripuran Singh Haer)

0 M0 5 F f l I I 0 bull rsquo 1 ~ 6 C

Pripuran Singh Haer Charge dAffaires

MOSPOL125190

r o h o11 bull i bull r o j o o r i

trn s laquoPi j a r m rrcsl p - igt llsquo7EM B A S S Y OF INDIA

6-8 U l iu a Votomsovo PolyM O S C O W

Tel No S i 7-CS20 Tolex 413409 INDEMSU

Tgts Fa bullbull-9 3

October 31 19S5

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1SSS Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years We have now bee informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1595 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is nc

s informatcn whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory cf the formeSoviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador

ji Kotov forwarcing the note categorically asserts that we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soil and that extensive research can

1 hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovsbullvu letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

v jf2 1 wouid iike you to piesse bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

kt (Pripuran Singh Haer)

Shri R L Narayan Joint Secretary (EE) Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi

diams i iL Mr Ror on Sen Arnba ssador of Ind ia to th e R u s s i a n F e d e r a t i o n

D e a r R o n e n

E n c lo sed Y o u will find o u r no te c o n c e rn in g S u b h a sh C h a n d ra

Bose D o bel ieve th a t we have t r ied o u r best to discover any relevant

I actsU n f o r tu n a te ly I a m p ro fo u n d ly d is t ressed being u n a b le to provide

t any posi t ive in f o r m a t i o n on th e subject o f no t th e least im p o r t a n c e for

the In d ia n public Alas by now it a p p e a r s that we can be su re tha t Netnj has neve r set foot o n th e R u ss ia n soil Extensive re sea rch car r ied out

u p o n th e latest r eq u es t o f Y o u r s can h a rd ly leave any d oub ts to lhgt

effect

S in ce re ly Y ours Y a K o t o v

w

r lt W 3 lt tfr s t pound 2 3 i

Intervention by H EM rAnatoly MDrukov Ambassador of Russia in India during the

eress-conference on the 210296 in le Foreign Correspondentsrsquo Club__________

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is

deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people

who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73Y uA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

inform ation on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

m uch em otion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

j i

gt J -

i

Directorate of Foreign Relatilt Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

March 20 1997

N 547

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to you and has the honour to forward herewith the letter of Mr L Joychandra Singh addressed a second time to the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

In reply to this repeated query the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence (CAMD) of the Russian Federation has pointed out that there is no other data relating to the fate of Subhash Chandra Bose besides the information conveyed to you vide letter No1843 dated October 28 1996 (enclosing No222672 of the CAMD)

We request you to kindly inform Mr L Joychandra Singh of the above reply from the Archives

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Military Wing of the Embassy of India in Moscow the assurances of its highest consideration

Military Attache in the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation

Brig D Singh

No 19073DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federations presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassyrsquos note verbale No SA 1003 dated 8 January 2003 and the Ministryrsquos note verbale No 1423DA dated 28 June 2001 has the honour to inform you about the following

A search was conducted for documents related to the fate ofSCBose in the following federal archives

Russian State Military Archive (RGVA) Russian State Archives of Socio-Political History (RGASPI) State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) and Russian State Historical Archives of the Far East (RGIA DV) The information requested for was not found in the GARF RGVA and RGIA DV archives

Copies of the documents found in the RGIA DV Archives were sent to the Embassy in 2001

No information has been found about the fate of SC Bose in the Central Archives of the Russian FSB the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in the m anuscript section of the Russian State Library or in the Russian State Archives of Photographic Documents (RGAKFD)

We would also like to inform th a t the personnel archives of Eva Yakovlevna Lyusternik were sent after her death to the Russian Academy of Sciencesrsquo Institute of Oriental Studies and the open part of the archival m aterial on IV Stalin was sent from the archives of the President of the Russian Federation to RGASPI

The Ministry would like to use th is opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

M inistry of Foreign AtlairsR u ssian F ed eratio n

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Moscow 20th March 2003

^ M la iet ja Affaireo f the deration

No S 9 5 4 2 A A

The M inistry of Foreign Affairs of th e R ussian Federation p resen ts its com plim ents to the Em bassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and in continuation of Note No 55382XA dated Septem ber 14 2004 h as the honour to intorm th a t Information sought on the fate of Ind iarsquos p rom inent political figure Netaji S u b h ash C hand ra Bose was no t found in the C entral Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia

The M inistry avails of th is opportun ity to renew to the Em bassy the a ssu ra n ce s of its highest consideration

M oscow October 6 2004

E m bassy o f th e Republic o f India M oscow -

Ministry o f External Affairs CNV Division

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Information Act

Reference note at FR from AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) regarding CICrsquos directives on appeal by Shri Anuj Dhar who was denied information requested concerning disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his whereabouts in the former USSRRussia i f any

2 Vide letter o f 020806 at FA Shri Dhar had requested for (a) certified copies o f complete correspondence between MEA and the Government o f USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referring to Our Embassyrsquos intervention with the Russian MFA in 199219951997 2001 and 2003 and (b) whether MEA sought information from the Russian side in a routine manner through issue o f Note Verbales or some serious efforts were made at a higher level

3 Vide issue o f 250806 at FB CPIO on the basis o f inputs from CNV Division replied to Shri Dhar conveying that (a) requests to the Governments o f the USSRRussia were made through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels and (b) requisite copies o f the correspondence sought cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under provisions of Clause 8(l)(a)amp (f) o f the RTI Act Under Clause8(1)(a) there is noobligation to give any citizen information disclosure o f which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity o f India the security strategic scientific or economic interests o f the State relation with foreign State or lead to incitement o f an offence Under Clause 8(l)(f) there is no obligation to give ldquoinformation received in confidence from foreign governmentrdquo

4 Shri Dhar vide his letter o f 230906 at FC had appealed to then Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) on the ground that the reasons given by the CPIO denying him the information aslced for are untenable With regard to the intervention with the USSRRussian Government for information on Netajirsquos disappearance Shri Dhar seeks to know if this matter was pursued at a higher (say Ministerial) level Regarding Ministryrsquos resort to Clause 8(l)(a) Shri Dhar wrote that this is not intelligible to him as to how correspondence dealing with the disappearance o f a national hero can be threat to India or its relations with USSR which does not exist and has been disowned by the successor state o f the Russian Federation He has also questioned as to why information received in this matter o f national importance should be confidential In response to the appeal C lW Division has conveyed to JS (Inf) and CPIO vide its note dated 011106 at FD that (a) the information sought for by Shri Dhar ie whether serious efforts were made with interventions at higher levels with the Russian Government to seek information on Netajirsquos disappearance does not constitute ldquoinformationrdquo as defined in the RTI Act and the question is anecdotal in nature and (b) that copies o f correspondence cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under the relevant clauses in the RTI Act Though there is no evidence on this NGO file it is our understanding that these views were conveyed by the Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) to Shri Dhar Presumably what was meant was that Shri Dhar was seeking the opinion o f the MEA as to whether the efforts made by GOl in its interventions with the Russian Government were serious or just routinely taken up Since such lsquoopinionrsquo is not covered under Clause 1(0 hence it cannot be construed as lsquoinformationrsquo

6 The undersigned has gone through all available records in NGO Section pertaining to correspondence with the USSRRussian Governments seeking information on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose In particular attention is drawn to a note recorded in December 1998 at FE on linked file giving the chronological background to suchcorrespondence starting from May 1990 in the Note for Supplementaries prepared for Rajya Sabha Starred Question No 174 for answer on 101298 dealing with the Asiatic Societyrsquos request for access to Russian archives It may also be seen from the attached

A

Anticipated Questions and their Answersrsquo that Ministry was willing to disclose the contents o f the Note Verbale received from the Russian Government in response to IUdiaji demarches regarding information on Netaji on the floor o f the House There is no i available on NGO files to indicate if such information was in fact disclosed on the flooi o f the House when the PQ was answered However the point to note is Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose such information As per the last line under Clause 8 o f RTI Act ldquoinformation which cannot be denied to the Parliament or the State legislature shall not be denied to any personrdquo Therefore if such information has already been disclosed on the floor o f the House or even by virtue o f Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose we may no deny such information requested by Shri Anuj Dhar

7 Chronologically the correspondence copies available on file and linked files and sought by Shri Dhar are listed as under

(a) NV No Nil dated 160991 from EI Moscow to MFA USSR Government at FF on linked file

(b) NV No 2YuA dated 080192 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at -FGv -- bullbullbulllaquo mdash bullbull

(c) NV No SA8395 dated 270795 from EI M oscow to MFA Russian Government at FH on linked file

(d) NV No 73YuA dated 271095 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at FI

(e) DO letter from CDA EI Moscow enclosing Amb Kotovrsquos letter to Amb Ronen Sen at FJ on linked file

(f) Record o f intervention by Russian Ambassador to India at a press IK lrsquo ltonffirericebnrsquo2i0296 at FK on linked file

(g) NV No N547 dated 200397 from Russian Defence Ministry to EI Moscow at FL

(h) NV No 19073DA dated 200303 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow aft FM and

(k) NV No 59542DA dated 061004 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow 4 FN

8 A perusaldf the available correspondence shows the continuous effort made by the Ministry through the Embassy in Moscow to obtain information available i f any on Netajirsquos whereabouts in Russia It also shows that such effort was made at very high levels even through correspondence between the Indian Ambassador to Russia and his Russian counterpart One such correspondence is even addressed to a private Indian citizen in Manipur and the same has been passed on to him by our Embassy in Moscow There is no evidence to suggest that such correspondence was received in confidence an not to be disclosed However it would be beyond the competence o f CNV Division to make such a judgment merely on perusal ofthe filesrecords available in NGO SectionAS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) may like to consult Eurasia Division and Embassy o f India Moscow on whether disclosure o f such information under RTI woulc be detrimental to bilateral relations

J)(Debnath ShaiO

X At Wi bull JS (CNV)09 April 20f)7

AS fPP) amp Aeffellate Authority TRTI)

fet L 0 k f t t U a k k f c v J y -TI 4 i t i

cn v w et oA 2 4 JhV oW ei w ttC a

i CIC c h t tfcVe (jEuTA4-IAJ jrteaitcrj At-jKCdh-al tjyin cm Mm+cpL

I M i i ) J L j i t

j J 7

i

-r-

31

FAXTo AS(PP)

MEA New Delhi Fax 91-11-23013387

From First Secretary (Pol) Indembassy Moscow

Rpti) DS[Russia] MEA

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tele 007-495-9163544 Fax 007- 495-9163632

With reference to DS[Russia]rsquos message regarding AS[PP]rsquos note to JS[CNV] No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 9 April 2007 on an appeal filed under No RTI act 2005

2 Please find faxed herewith currently available few copies of this Missionrsquos correspondence with local authorities on the subject We will send more m aterial if available by the earliest diplomatic bag

U ) U v tcrv-4 j

(Dr Suresh Babu) FS [Pol]

13042007

A

- P O C C H H C K A fl A K M E M H H HAYK ^

H H C T H T Y T B O C T O K O B E ^ E H H J I

___________ JV2 ____________________

H a JVs_____________________________ T To 1Justice Mukherji

Commission o f Inquiry M irza Ghalib Street

Kolkata

Dear Sir

This is to inform you that as per your request we have checked the Private

Archive o f Prof EYaLustemic in the Indian Center o f the Institute of Oriental

Studies Russian Academy o f Sciences Moscow

We regret to inform you that there is no document on Subash Chandra Bose

With sincere regards

(Shaumian TLHead the Indian Center o f the Institute o f Oriental Studies

Russian Academy o f SciencesM oscow)

26092005

l0303l(Plttgt CHO 103753 (MeacflyHapoflHbiH) MocKBa T C n yji PoxcnecTBeHKa12 Ten (095)921-1884 (095)925-6461 Oaicc (095)975-2396 E-mail ivran orcru

In contrast to Indian National Congress Bose and his activists basically counted on armed struggle and open cooperation against enemies of England - Germany Italy and Japan Bose dreamed about freedom for India through crushing defeat of Britain Bose could not do it himself so he linked activity of his troops and groups with assault of Germany on India from the West and Japan from the East The aim of Bose was to expedite the assault in all possible ways and reinforce it from inside by subversive Anti-English activity in India and if possible to attached nature o f mass anti-British revolt However at that time not all people considered his activity as ldquosubversiverdquo Fascism was not so popular in India at that time but racism and violence were condemned everywhere A lot of Indians were satisfied with telling blows delivered hateful center o f empire by axis countries in particular against the background of British demonstrative nonshyrecognition of Indian rights for self-determination J Nehru wrote about this period How can we conciliate two basic directions of our policy - opposition to British imperialism and opposition to fascism and nazism How can we adjust our nationalism with our internationalism That was a difficult question for us taking in view current situation However this question would not be difficult if the British Government take a step to show us its refusal from imperialistic policy in India and rely on peoplersquos good willrdquo

But it did not happen Indian public reacted accordingly Describing the psychological atmosphere in the country that time Jawaharlal Nehru wrote ldquoPeople were pushing out not by patriotic feelings but by their willingness to save themselves from an offense and the worstrdquo

So S Bose did not have any mass support but he could use the mood of majority for his own purposes Nehru wrote about it the following ldquoProtection of the imperialism which we were fighting with for such a long time seemed to be non-sense and impossible to usrdquo

Unofficial translation

ldquoMatsottardquo is obtaining Soviet visa

Instructions were really complicated It was necessary to send Subhas Chandra Bose to Germany He was wanted by Britain secret service colonial Administration and local police throughout India Bose was staunch and irreconcilable adversary of Great Britain and may be the most dangerous one at that time

Extracts of the book whiten by Yuri L Kuznets ldquoMarauders are quitting the gamerdquo

Published in 1992 by ldquoInterprakstrdquo Moscow

Of course Bose made his main counting on the military defeat of England at the time when Hitlerrsquos Germany had been already at the war with it and Japan was still neutral So Bose was interested in Berlin When Japan occupied Burma and came close to the Indiarsquos borders Bose reoriented to the Far East

In spring 1941 his ways crossed with Bhagat Ram Bose decided to shift from India to Berlin because some of his friends and relatives were arrested in India and he by himself also was wanted He needed Hitlerrsquos support including financial one Ports we under police control and departure trough one of them was very risky Bose took another way and in February came to Kabul He was accompanied by Bhagat Ram who was not a member o f Bosersquos organization he did not like axis-members but he was posted as Bosersquos escort by his party ldquoKirti Kissanrdquo because o f his knowledge of Phushtun zone which they had to cross as well as Afghanistan and Kabul He also had his own flat in Kabul - the premises which belonged to Ultam Chang and his shop It was supposed that Ram was doing a favour to Bose only due to their common aim - to weak British positions in India at most

Ram fulfilled his task Bose settled down in Kabul and started to make arrangements for the next step of his journey During war time he could come to Germany only through the territory o f USSR For this purpose he required a passport which he did not have German Embassy applied to the Italian one Italians considered the German request positively Bose got passport in respect of Italian citizen Mazzotta Holding this passport Bose applied to the Soviet Embassy for transit visa crossed the USSR territory and came to Berlin

Mazzotta disappeared But German Consulate General drew attention to Bhagat Ram who was introduced as a powerful Indian activist in Afghanistan and India with anti-British orientation It was o f interest and he was suggested to work for the German Secret Service German resident was satisfied with Ramrsquos past his contacts and mood especially because he was concerned about difficulties o f the anti-British activities in India shortage of agents and information as well as conspiratorial bases in India Bosersquos recommendation also helped Ram was thinking it would be important for me and my party to establish contacts with enemies of their enemies

Offer on co-operation was accepted Ram left German Consulate having 100 000 Indian Rupees in his pocket 12 guns and ballets Money and arms were required by the people whom Ram would be recruiting in India Since May 1941 after the German finished their checking Ram had become the main agent o f the German Secret Service in India

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337 Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 9 4 0 5 September 9 2005

The Em bassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Em bassyrsquos earlier Note Verbales on the visit of a delegation of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 20-30 2005 in connection with enquiring into the facts and circum stances relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

It is confirmed th a t all logistical arrangem ents for official JMCI delegation and the accompanying eight deponents would be facilitated by the Embassy with no financial implications to the Russian side

It would be appreciated if the decision of the esteemed Ministry on visas for the visiting team may kindly be expedited

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

Copy to Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

No 5830 2DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Notes No SA16605 of 08 August No SA17405 of 18 August and No SA17905 and No SA18005 of 26 August this year has the honour to inform as follows

Justice Mukherjee as a Head of the Delegation set up by the Government of India to inquire about life of Subhas Chandra Bose pertaining to the period from 1945 onwards as well as the accompanying delegation will be given access to the documents kept in the Reading Halls o f the Federal and State Archives of the Subjects o f the Russian Federation in Moscow St Petersburg Irkutsk and Omsk through the Federal Archives Agency of the Russian Federation All expenditures related to the arrangements for their visit air-passage accommodation transport and medical insurance etc should be borne by the Indian side The Federal Archive Agency requests to inform Mr MK Mukherjee of the addresses of Federal Archives given below

1 Russian State Archive for social and political history - 103 821 Moscow 15 B Dmitrovka Str Director - Kiril M Anderson Tel 229 97 26

2 Russian State Archive of Audio- Photo Documents - 143 400 Moscow Region Krasnogorsk 1 Rechnaya Str Director - Lyudmila P Zapryagaeva Tel 562 14 64 563 08 45

3 Russian State Archive for Phono Documents 105 005 Moscow3 2ya Baumanskaya Str Director - Vladimir A Kolyada Tel 261 13 00

4 Russian State Naval Archive - 191 186 St Perersburg 36 Millionnaya Str Director - Vladimir S Sobolev Tel (812)312 11 37

The Federal Archives Agency recommends the following for work with the documents o f

- Central State Archive of St Petersburg - to apply to St Petersburg Archives Committee (193 015 St Petersburg 39 Tavricheskaya Str) Chairman of the Committee - Mr Anatoly D Yashkov Tel (812) 271 44 55)

- State Archive of Omsk Region - to apply to the Archive Department of the Ministry for State and Legal Development o f Omsk Region Head - Ms Galina Yu Borodina (644 099 Omsk 1 Tretyakova Str) Tel (381-2) 25 57 26

- State Archive of Irkutsk Region - to apply to Archive Department of Irkutsk Region Head - Ms Nadezhda K Shestakova (664003 Irkutsk 36a Gorkogo Str) Tel (395-2) 24 06 42

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow ldquo 15 ldquo September 2005

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA Moscow

slvNon-paper

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P o c c h h Ndeg 2 5 5 7 2 amp A o t 1 8 0 7 2 0 0 5 r )

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poccHftcKHe KOMneTeHTHBie opraHbi npoBenH H C H epnbm aiom H e H3bicKaHHfl

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KOTOpbix 6bm BbWBJieH p a fl AOKyMeHTOB b KOTopbix ynoMHHajiocb h m s C H E o ca

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2004 r b apxHBax OCE 46-th CTpaHHHHbiH OKyMeHT)

B 3aK pbiTbix apxH BH bix (J)OHflax HaxoA5imHxcfl Ha TeppHTOpHH P o cchh ck o h

O e^epaHH H KaKHX-jinSo CBe^eHHH 0 CHEoce He o6HapygtKeHo

9

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow___ Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337

Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 8 0 0 5 August 26 2005

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Embassyrsquos earlier communications regarding the visit of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 18-30 2005

By way of background information given below are the relevant details of JMCI -

(i) The Government o f India Ministry o f Home Affairs New Delhi vide a gazette notification No S 0339(B) dated 14th May 1999 appointed Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry for Inquiry into the Alleged Disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under Section (3) o f the Commission o f Inquiry Act o f 1952 (60 o f 1952)

(ii) As per this notification Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry shall inquire into all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945 and subsequent developments connected therewith including-(a) whether Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is dead or alive(b) I f he is dead whether he died in the plane crash as alleged(c) Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are the ashes o f Netaji(d) Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and if

so when and how(e) I f he is alive in respect o f his whereabouts

(iii) The Commission shall also examine the manner in which the exercise o f Scrutiny o f Publications touching upon the question o f death or otherwise on Netaji can be undertaken by the Central Government in the circumstances

(iv) Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry is funded by the Ministry o f Home Affairs Government o f India and is an official Commission

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

Copy to M inistry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV t J 001

A MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS (PP) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of material immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

Deputy Secretary (Russia) Ph 23015199 Intercom 2285

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

Dr T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

T c J i h irvMUt(SOMNATH GHOSH)

Deputy Secretary Ministry of External Affairs

New Deifci

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 1^1002

( t

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No R T I-2 pound _ A S (P P )2 0 0 7

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance_of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anufpfiar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) 6t

Appellate Authority (RTI) 09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

g^py forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - H W U(Ajal Choudhfy)

1 o 7

0 v

j N lsquoaA gt ^ 1 ^

04 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV

MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS-iEP-) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of matenal immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

D tpu ij u su ta i J iu J o ia JPh 23015199 Intercom 228S

D r T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

h i 7-

_100pound 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 002

Most Immediate

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No RTI-HiLAS(PP) 2007

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed bv Shri Anul Dhar under RTI 200S - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anurbhar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC ------ = = = = mdash

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) amp

Appellate Authority (RTI)09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

JZopy forwarded to JS(Eurasla) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - t t U X f (Ajal ChoudMfy)

k

Buff 43402

Square C u t Raider A4 434Made in London

Blue 43403 Green 43404 Grey 43405 Orange 43406 Pink 43407 Red 43408 Yellow 43409 Mauve 43414

Page 15: V ' . . . Disci* wi/K 0*s*/ - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ...

M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Tel 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u s rs m e a g o v in

WI (AD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u F S (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P lease find a ttached a self-exp lanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f Subhash C hand ra Bose u n d er the R T I Act for kind necessary action a t your end

ahul S hrivastava) U n d er S ecre tary 7 Janu ary 2 0 0 8

No RTI5517606Ministry of External Affairs

( RTI Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquos note WI (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content of the note was conveyed to the Information Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government of

j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russian 1 Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the National

Achieve o f India

We have received a communication to this effect from the CIC which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(AK Nag) JS (Wei amp Inf) amp CPIO

December 18 2007

In fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r

gt O P KEJARIWAL fe laquoft-110067 B lo ck-IV 5 th F lo o r O ld JN U C a m p u s

N e w D e lh i-1 1 0 0 6 7 T ele fax 26717351

C entra In fo rm a t io n C o m m is s io n

November 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T I5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian Governm ent for disclosure of the N eta ji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar We have now received a le tte r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N eta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portan t from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere ind iv idualrsquos in terest He suggests and reuests therefore that this m ateria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India from abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m a tte r t h erefore is pursued w ith the I Russian G overnm ent so th a t w hatever m ateriah s o f va lue a nd in te rest to India m ay com e to us especially in the present case

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) Ministry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

Yours sincerely

(OP Kejariw al)

To 26 November 2007

Dr OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner Central Information Commission Old JNU Campus New Delhi - 110067

Subject R eq u est to Ind ian Errbassy to procure p ost-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian arch ives

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter NoR TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2007 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision N oC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made v this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the

Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Embassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

i

2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing ruies or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at times provide information A request from the Embassy of India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

^ would not yvant this exercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant records are identified the Embassy may procure them for the National Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India

since they are likely to provide a never befc 3 insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world w a r for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n L ____2 63 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mayzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez iden ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)[A rch ive o f the P res id en t o f the R uss ian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lsk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606-13-33 Fax (495 ) 606 -19 -66

2 Is to riko-dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del R F (ID D M ID) [H is torico-D ocum enta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in is try o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o lenska ia -S enna ia p loshchad 3234 Tel (495) 244-32-19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i po litik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (A V P RF)[A rch ive o f Fore ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241-04-80

4 Tsen tra lrsquonyi a rkh iv M in is te rs tva o bo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f D e fense]142100 M oskovskaia ob las t P odo lrsquosk ul K irova 74 Tel (495) 715-90-05 (0967) 54-00-03

5 G lavno je R azvedyva te lno je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilitary In te lligence D irecto ra te arch ives Address not know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 TsentraPnyi a rkh iv Federa lno i s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (TsA FSB R ossjj)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F edera l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzhby vneshne i razvedki RF (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)[O perational A rch ive o f the Fore ign In te lligence S erv ice ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 5110Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 245 -33 -68 Fax (495) 247-05-29

8 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (TsA M VD R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In te rna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovocherem ushk inska ia 67 (Archive) ul Zoi i A leksa nd ra K osm odem iansk ikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-90

2

o o ^ y - q ^ - s z n ^ h

A deg U lt 6 S (3 2 -

gt

bull - - - bull bull

i - r

-0

F a x M e s s a g e P n o m

7 Jan 2008 1626

NameFax Number

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C

L i

DIRlt ERS)MEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1626 P0105

M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Te l 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u srs m eag o v in

WI(AJD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u FS (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P le as e find a ttached a self-explanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f S ubhash C hand ra Bose under the RT Act for kind necessary action a t your end

lahul S h rivastava) U n d e rs e c re ta ry 7 J a n u a ry 2 0 0 8

DIR(ERS gtMEflRNQ235C 7 Jan 2008 16=26 P020b

No RTI5517606 Ministry of External Affairs

( RTX Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquo s note W I (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser o f complete correspondence

with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash | Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content o f the note was conveyed to the Information j Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant bull The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government o f j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russiani Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the Nationali bull

W e have received a communication to this effect from the CIC

i s J

Achieve o f India

which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(A K Nag) JS (W ei amp Inf) amp CPIO1

December 18 2007

DIR( ERS gtMEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1627 P 0305

gt O P KEJARIWALSTTJprf

-MiX TR 4 58 cfcr TPTT

fcc=6ft11 0 0 6 7 Biock-lV 5th Floor Oki JNU Campus

I n fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r New Delhi-110067 Telefax 26717351

Centra Information Commission

Novem ber 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T 5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian G overnm ent fo r disclosure of the N etaji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar W e have now received a le t te r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N e ta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portant from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere individuals in terest He suggests and reuests th ere fo re that this m a te ria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India f rom abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m atte r therefore is pursued w ith the Russian Governm ent so th a t w hatever m ateria l is of va lue and interest to India may come toTis especially in the present case

Yours sincerely

(O P Kejariw al)

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) M inistry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C 7 Jan 2008 16 = 2 P 0405

02 6 N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 7

Dr OP Kejariwal information Com missioner Central Information Commission

+ Old JNU Campus N ew Delhi - 110067

Subject R e q u e s t to Ind ian Em bassy to procure post-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian a rc h ive s

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter N o R TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2 0 07 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTi Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision NoC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

lt think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Em bassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

4 2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing rules or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at tim es provide information A request from the Embassy o f India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

I would not w ant this e xercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant fcS ords s re identified the Em bassym ay procure them fo rtheN atTonal Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India since they are likely to provide a never befc s insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

1

DIR ( ERS) ME ARN0235C7 Jan 2008 16=27

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world war for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n t 2 6 3 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mazzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez idsn ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)Archive o f th e P re s id e n t o f the R ussian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lrsquosk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606 -13 -33 Fax (495) 606-19-66

2 Is to riko -dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del RF (ID D M ID) [H is to rico -D ocum en ta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in istry o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o ie nska ia -S en n a ia p loshchad rsquo 3234 Tel (495) 244 -32 -19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i p o lit ik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (AVP RF)[A rch ive o f Fo re ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241 -04 -80

4 Tsen tra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva obo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f th e M in is try o f D e fense] - bull -142100 M oskovska ia o b la s t P odo lsk ul K irova74 Tel (495 )715-90-05 (0 9 6 7 )5 4 -0 0 -0 3

5 G lavno je R a zve dyva te ln o je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilita ry In te lligence D irectora te a rch ives A ddress no t know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv FederaPnoi s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (T sA FS B R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F e de ra l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzh by vneshne i razvedki R F (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)(O perational A rch ive o f the F o re ign In te lligence Service ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 51 10Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 2 4 5 -33 -6 8 Fax (495) 247-05-29

Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (T sA M VD R ossii)[Central A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In terna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovoche rem ushk inska la 67 (Archive) ul Z o i i A le ksa n d ra K osm odem ianskikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-30

ffs

amp-3gt) i c y v

Embassy of India Moscow(Political Wing) f t

r r v ^Subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with USSRRussia over the

disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 reg

Reference remarks made by the Ambassador on FR a letter from JS (Wei ampInf) addressed to Shri OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner copy endorsed to Min (Pol) on the above subject

Back ground of the case On receipt o f a copy o f AS (PP )rsquo s Note No RTI- 36AS(PP)07 dated 942007 on the above subject Mission vide fax dated 130407 forwarded few copies o f Missionrsquos correspondence with the local authorities on the subject to AS(PP) -------- At F A

Subsequently on receipt o f JS(ERS)rsquo s letter No 1 lJS(ERS)2007 dated 20407 enclosed with A S (PP )rsquo s Note No 30AS(PP)07 amp JS(CNV)rsquo s Note along with copies o f correspondence available in CNV Division on the subject Mission has sent a Note Verbale No SA8907 dated 1752007 to Russian Foreign Ministry requesting for the views o f the Russian side whether the information provided by them could be released to the appellant -------At FB

Documents provided by Russian side and forwarded to the Commission

(i) Documents initially provided by the Russian side attached with Note Verbale No1423 DA dated 28h June 2001 which was forwarded to the Ministry on August

31 2001 may please be seen a t-----FC in the linked file

(ii ) On the basis of an affidavit submitted to the Justice Mukherjee Commission a Note Verbale No SA25904 dated December 22 2004 was sent to the M FA and reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 13142 DA dated 4 March 2005 enclosed with a copy of letter from Mr V Sayadyants to the Soviet Ambassador to Iran Mr IV Sadchikov regarding the political situation in India in 1946 may please be seen a t--------FD in the linked file

Response of the Russian side

( i) A reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 42952 DA dated 2262007 stating therein that ldquo the documents from Russian Archives handed over in June 2001 were for official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up by it for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo This was conveyed to the Ministry vide letter No MOSPOL125190 dated 472007 --------At FE

P2

2

Again on receipt o f a copy o f the decision o f Central Information Commission vide No RTI5517606 dated 22082007 (At FF) Mission took up the matter with M FA vide Note Verbale No SA17307 dated 1892007 for which a reply was received vide No 42952DA dated 11007 reiterating their view that the documents from RussianArchives were submitted exclusively for official use by the GOI including Thiswas conveyed to the Ministry vide E-gram dated 10102007-----At FG

Submitted as desired by Min (Pol) please

2

f^TT FTRTTM IN ISTR Y O F E X TE R N A L A F FA IR S

NEW D ELH I

Dated 2nd November 2007 I gt gt v

gt ldquo $

NoRTI551762006

Shri OP KejariwalInformation Commissioner Central Information Commission Club Building Old JNU Campus New Delhi-110 067 bull

Subject- Disclosure o f complete correspondenc e with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RT[ Act 2005

SirAs per directives o f the Honrsquoble Central Information

Commission contained in Para 13 o f the decisioNoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi seeking certified copies o f the complete correspondence this Ministry had with the Governments of the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

9 ^ 2 Our Embassy in Moscow again approached the Government of Russian Federation to get their consent to the disclosure o f documents under reference but the Government of Russian Federation reiterated that documents were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government o f India for investigation o f Netajee Subhash Chandra Bose disappearance

3 However they state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note o f the Embassy can approach the authorities o f the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy o f India for permission to get to know the M aterials deposited in Federal and State Archives o f the Russian Federation

OV-

g ji)

j d L

Yours faithfully

(AK Nag) Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer

_ f

- i V lt L

Copy for information forwarded to-

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110 018

2 Director(ERS) Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi with reference to his Note NoW l(AD)5511007 dated 25102007

Minister (Pol) Embassy o f India Moscow

Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp Central Public Information Officer

N o W l(A D ) 5 5 1 1 0 0 7 M inistry o f External A ffa irs

(ERS D ivision)

W ith re ference your N ote No R T I5 5 1 7 6 0 6 dated 2 2 8 2 0 0 7 to JS (E R S ) regarding d isclosure o f com plete correspondence w ith the USSRRussia o v e r th e d is a p p e a ra n c e o N e ta ji S u b h a s h C h a n d ra B o s g u n d e r R T I A c t 2005 p lease find enclosed th e unofficial translation o f th e note verb ale dated 1 0 c to b e r rsquo0 7 sent by R ussian M inistry o f Foreign Affairs in reply to the note verbale sent by our E m bassy in M o scow on the subject

(A rya S an d e e p ) D irector (E R S )

2 5 O ctob er 2 0 0 7

JS (W ei amp Inf ampCentral Public In form ation O fficer

v C op y to M in ister (Pol) E m bassy o f India M oscow

U n o ffic ia l T ra n s la tio n

Quote

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highest consideration

Moscow 01st October 2007

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

For official use only

E-GRAM

NoMOSPOL 125 190 laquo y October 10 2007

From To

Indembassy Moscow Foreign New Delhi

AStERS) from Minister (Poll

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

Q u o teUnofficial translation

Moscow 01st October 2007

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

sd-(Dr Subhakanta Behera)

Minister (Political)

a I JH

NICEMAIL r^T^X Page 1 o f 1

y

Current Folder SentMaill y II

I - Compose rsquo^ Addresses ^ Folders EOptions gt Search ^ H e lp sij^Fetch ^ss^Calen

Message List | Delete | Edit Previous I Next Forward I Forward as Attachment | Reply | Reply A ll Message as N ew ------------1 ----------- 1-------------------------------- 1 ldquo r J 1

Subject Message from EI MoscowFrom dcmmoscowmeagovinDate Wed October 10 2007 110 pm

To jsersmeagovinPriority NormalOptions V iew Full Header | V iew Printable V ersion | Add to Addressbook

Attachments

untitled -[l] Ok [texthtm l] download | view

MQS10100716dth 175 k [ applicationoctet-stream ] download

10)0o

NoMOSpOL125190 October 10 2007

From Indernbassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

AS(BRS) from Minister (Pol)

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

Q u o teUnofficial translation

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of

September 20o7 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22laquod of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

For official use only

1

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

Moscow 01st October 2007

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Minister (Political)

No64682DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and

the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 da ted the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

In add ition to the Note o f the M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion No 429 5 2D A dated the 22 nd o f June 2007 in form tha t docum ents from R ussian a rch ives w ere subm itted e xc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the

the Com m issionAfor investiga tion o f N eta jee S ubhas C handra B ose d isappea rance d e ta iis ^s ta b lis h e d by the G ove rnm en t o f IndiaD

p TU-Indian c itizen m en tioned in the Note o f the E m bassy has ^ f fg h t th rough the E m b a s sy tfo request and to fee- get to k n o w ^ a te r ia ls depos ited in Federa l and S ta te A rch ives o f the R ussian F ede ra tion w ith the perm iss ion o f its authorities

The M in is try ava ils th is opportun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest conside ra tion

M oscow 01st O ctober 2007

A ppend ix N ote N o4295 2D A

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

ampJk i A

lAK i

M

bull J U h J t ^ J JLflJ L (L S U s ^ S u (jrcopywO ^ (V|Pj iVv ^ |0]laquo f 1 r i r I - r r J I - 1Olgt-^ |1 CJ |ltg fkiiXn

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No42952DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and quo ting the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 dated the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

D ocum ents from R ussian a rch ives m entioned in the N ote o f the E m bassy w ere subm itted in particu lar in June 2001 exc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the use by the C om m iss ion fo r inves tiga tion o f N e ta jee S ubhas C handra Bose d isappea rance deta ils estab lished by the G ove rnm en t o f India

W e a lso in form tha t the access to Federa l and S ta te A rch ive s o f the R ussian Federa tion is a llow ed w ith the perm iss ion o f Federa l a rch ives A g en cy (R osarch ives) the read ing in read ing room s o f concre te a rch ives w ith th e perm ission o f a rch ives s truc tu res au tho rities o f co rrespond ing bod ies on the basis o f appea l o f E m bassies sc ien tific research ins titu tes and pub lic o rgan iza tions

The M in is try ava ils th is oppo rtun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest considera tion

M oscow 02nd June 2007

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

MHHHCTepcTBO PiHocTpaHHbix 0eji Pocchhckoh

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No SA8907 ot 17 Mah 2007 rofla HMeeT qecrb coo6ihhtigt

cjreiyiomee

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Be^oMCTBeHHbix apxHBOB - c pa3pemeHHH pyKOBO^cTBa

apXHBHbIX CTpyKTyp COOTBeTCTByK)mHX Be^OMCTB no npHMOMy

oSpameHHK) nocojibCTB HayHHo-HccjiextoBaTejibCKHX

nOCOJIbCTBY PECnYBJIHKH HHffHH

rMocKBa

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M ocKBaWo I S P

NoSA17307

gt v

TRcT ltTv5f rram TTWTEMBASSY OF INDIA

MOSCOWriOCOIbCTBO HhaMM

MocKBa

18 September 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure of entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

J rThe Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent

vdeg a u th o r ity (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sidersquos view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set

^ up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji V A Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not

^ disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if suchaterial could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry it

could be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissionrsquos work is over Thecompetent authority is of the opinion that the material in question could be disclosed

W ^ deg the Appellant They further advised the Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi to formal clearance for the disclosure of the entire material on the above subject

J ^ ^ ^ f r o r y ^ e ^ i l i s s i a n side

- esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure of the above material maylease be communicated to this Mission at an early date

-

f

mbassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to tfte ^ in ijP r^W f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ^ of the Russian F e d e r ^ J ^(2nd Asia Department) 4 - 1 ^ gt i Csy~~~ aM o s c o w 1

6-8 yn BopoHUOBO rioie 131940 r MocKBa

Ten 007-095-783-75-35 007-095-783-75-34

wwwindianembassyru

tjgt2 t 007-095-916-36- 3 2 007-095-975-23-37

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR

JS(WelampInf) amp Central Public Information Officer has forwarded u s the CIC decision with request to initiate action in accordance with p a ra -13 th e Information Commission is all for disclosure of the material The CIC does not see any reason why the m aterial should not be disclosed now to any researcher since the Justice Mukherjee Commissionrsquos work is over Accordingly it has advised the Ministry of External Affairs to seek the formal clearance from the Russian authorities in the m atter

2 DCMrsquos last comm unication with JS(ERS) was made on 4th July 2007 DCM had forwarded the translation of the note verbale received from the Russian Foreign Office

3 In the light of above we may again send a note verbale to the Foreign Office in accordance with p a ra -13 of the CIC decision

Subm itted please

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

Sept 13 2007

NoSA17307 $ September 2007

The Embassy o f India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure o f entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

The Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent authority (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sides view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if such material could be made available to the Justice Mukheerjee Commission for inquiry they see no reason why-thisO material should iw k be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissions work is over The competent authority is of the ifem opinion that the material in question should be disclosed to the Appellant They further advised the Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi to obtain formal clearance for the disclosure o f the entire material on the above subject from the Russian side

The esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure o f the above material may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2nd Asia Department) Moscow

No R TI5517606 Ministry o f External Affairs

(RTI Division)

Subject - Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

Please find enclosed herewith Central Information Com m issionrsquos decision NoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar o f New Delhi

2 It is requested that necessary action may please be initiated in accordance with para-13 o f the CIC decision

EnclAs above

JS (Eiirasia)

(AiC Nag) Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer22-08-2007

mdash o j^ VxkxraquoA

OJLgt ^

J amp u - cVjl_JL bull

X k ~ Ajo-vyWpound

(XaA

- e j

(e-US)

V mdash j ^ bull

S c

X H bull ( 0 r h

gf if raquofn2(gt0Dy N o pound 3 amp RTI D1V200gt

Central Information Commission ilaquoWDlaquoted4i^USd|ampL~

sect $ I| | i yyNoCICOKA200600671

Dated 10 August 2007

Name of the Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar263 Kangra NiketanVikaspuri New Delhi - 110 018

Name of the Public Authority Ministry of External Affairs

Background

Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi filed an application with the PIO Ministry of

External Affairs on 2 August 2006 for seeking certified copies of the complete

correspondence the Ministry of External Affairs had with the Governments of

the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash

Chandra Bose

2 The PIO vide his letter dated 25 August 2006 informed the Appellant that

the request to the Government of USSR and the Russian Federation were made

through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels The PiO also stated that the

requisite copies of the correspondence could not be disclosed at it involves the

relations with a foreign State and so was exempt from disclosure as per the

provisions of Clause 8(1 )(a)amp(f) of the RTI Act

3 Dissatisfied with the reply of the PIO the Appellant filed an appeal with

the first Appellate Authority on 23 September 2006 who vide his letter dated 6

November 2006 again denied disclosure of the documents taking recourse to the

Section 8(1 )(a) and (i) The bench of Dr OP Kejariwal Information

mmissioner heard the matter on 23 March 2007

4 The main stand of the Respondents to the information sought by the

Appellant which is regarding the correspondence between India and the

Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia was that this

information could not be disclosed as it was likely to affect the countryrsquos

relationship with another State On making enquiries from the Respondents it

was clear that this correspondence had neither been seen nor been examined

by an expert to come to such a conclusion Therefore the Commission felt

that the Applicantrsquos application had been treated casually

5 The Commission then directed the Respondents to first have this

correspondence examined by their own experts and if need be by an outside

expert who they could rely on and then take a firm decision In case the

experts came to the conclusion that the applicability of the denial clause was

not relevant in the case the material could be disclosed to the Appellant

However in case the Respondents came to the conclusion that the relations

between the Governments of india and Russia would be affected through the

disclosure of this information the Commission would like the issue to be

settled only after a reference had been made to the Government of Russia

6 The matter was taken up for a second hearing by the bench of Dr OP

Kejariwal Information Commissioner on 10 August 2007

7 Shri AK Naag Joint Secretary (Inf amp Wei) amp CPIO and Shri Nand

Kishore Under Secretary (RTI) represented the Respondents

8 The Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar was present in person

Decision

9 The Commission heard both the sides During the hearing the

Respondents stated before the Commission that they had received a response

from the Government of the Russian Federation Moscow in pursuance of the

Commissionrsquos earlier Order in the matter dated 23 March 2007

10 This letter stated ldquoaccording to the correspondence received from the

Embassy of India Moscow the Russian Foreign Office has stated that the

documents handed over by them in June 2001 were meant only for the GOIrsquos

official use and for the work of the Commission in investigations into the

disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo

11 During the hearing the Appellant stated that his request included the

entire correspondence between the Governments of India and the USSR

regarding nf NPtajirsquos disappearance The Commission accepted this

request and directed the Respondents to clearly mention this while seeking the

approval of the Russian authorities for disclosure of this material

12 Also during the hearing the Appellant made a plea for a copy of the

letter received by the Ministry of External Affairs resulting from the application

that he had made on the issue The Commission saw no objection in this

request and directs the Respondents to supply a copy of this letter to the

Appellant

13 The Commission further feels that if the material could be made

available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the

disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be

disclosed now to any Researcher now that that Commissionrsquos work is over The

information Commission therefore is all for disclosure of this material to the

Appellant However it advises the Ministry of External Affairs to seek a formal------ ------ - _ ____________ ___

clearance from the Russian Authorities in the matter

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110018

Shri AK Nag Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) a Central Public Information Officer Room No 207 Akbar Bhawan Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110021

3 Shri Ajay Choudhary Additional Secretary amp Appellate Authority Room No 144 C South Block Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110011

4 Officer Incharge NSC

5 Press E Group CIC

(OP Kejariwal) Information Commissioner

Cc

The Statesman

Search

Advanced SoarchJ

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17 August 2007

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01

[ India ]-

Netaji filesrsquo disclosure ordered

New Delhi Aug 16 The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the external affairs ministry to disclose its correspondence with the erstwhile USSR over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra BoseldquoThe Commission feels that if the material could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be disclosed to any researcher nowrdquo information commissioner Mr OP Kejariwal saidThe Commission made this observation while hearing Mission Netajirsquos plea for certified copies of the complete correspondence between India and the USSR over Netajirsquos disappearance in 1945 The CIC in its decision relied on a letter from officials in Moscow that said the documents which were handed over to India were meant for ldquoofficial use and for the work o f the Mukherjee Commission n PTI

Discussion on this Ind ia itemDisclaimer These are Internet generated discussion threads for which the The Statesman has no responsibilityNo discussions on this item

t o P os

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Usernar

Passwo

New

9 fM raquo f -

m m m m

O ther India

Cabinet nod to new farm scheme

Q case CBI m ay cancel notice

Thaw in Left-UPA ties

Keshubhai joins rebels

http wwwthestatesmannetpagenewsphpclid=2amptheme=ampusrsess=lampid=l 66383 8172007

N o f j j M j l J X K

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raquo

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR and noting of FS(Pol) thereon

2 It seems the Russian Foreign Office does not want to add anything beyond what they have already pu t in the note verbale of Ju n e 22 2007 However if the said note verbale is read together with the bilateral Agreement of 2000 it becomes clear th a t there is no bar oft supplying confidential information to persons asking for the sam e According to Article 3b ot the Agreement decisions to hand over particular classified information shall be taken by the Parties on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the laws of their States

3 Moreover as a scrutiny of the correspondences between the SovietRussian and Indian sides shows they do not contain any sensitive information All the correspondences convey the result of the search in the Russian Archives Perhaps tha t is why JS(CNV) was inclined to suggest the disclosure of the correspondences

4 Given my positive view on the m atter for disclosure of the correspondences I would however like to propose tha t the Ministry may be sent a copy of the note verbale received from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to take into cognizance of the Agreement of 2000 before taking any final decision on the m atter If needed LampT Division in the Ministry may also be consulted

Subm itted please

(r

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

July 3 2007

No 42952DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation and in reference to the Note SA8907 dated 17th May 2007 has honour to inform the following -

The documents from Russian archives referred to in the Embassyrsquos note in particular handed over in June 2001 for official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set up by it for the investigation of circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

cm)

a

W e further inform that the access to materials belong to federal and state archives of the Russian Federation is given with the consent of Federal Agency of Achieves (Rosarchiv) and permission to work in reading halls of agency archives is given by authorities of archives belong to concerned agencies on direct requests by embassies scientific amp research institutions and social organizations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation assurances of its highest consideration

^ ft o j L (vLoo jP xjlJ~plt~ Moscow 22 June 2007

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NoS -^ V JS (E R S )0 7

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9 hTIclt o agtA

P ^ gt r^ yV lt gt V gilaquo )laquo A ^ t Ministry o f External AffairsSouth Block New D elh i-110 011 M ail jsers m eagovin

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PhFax 2 3 0 1 9 2 2

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T his is w ith reference to m y le tter no 11 J S (E R S)2007 d a ted April 20 2007 regard ing a req u e s t m ade u n d e r ldquoRight to in form ationrdquo (copy enclosed for ready reference) It is req u ested th a t th e R u ssian s id e rsquos resp o n se m ay kindly be in tim ated^atjan early da te ^ ^

rajj-vMaaS

Y ours sincerely

(Dr J Bhagwati

X ^h ri D ivyabh M an ch an d a D eputy C hief of M ission E m bassy of Ind ia Moscow

Copy to

AS(PP) JS(CNV)

(Dr J Bhagwati)

No 11 JS (E R S ) 2 0 0 7

Deari

Please refer to AS (PP) an d Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 M arch 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence betw een the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra B osersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E u rasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm w ith the R ussian side w hether they would have any objection to release of correspondence received from them on th is subject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos response m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

S d -(Dr J Bhagwati)

Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) A^(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

S

20 April 2007h

( Dr J Bhagwati )

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tel 7837535 Fax 9752337

NoSA8907 17 May 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 2YuA dated 8 January 1992 and subsequent correspondence (viz No 73YuA dated 27 October 1995 N 547 dated 20 March 1997 19073DA dated 20 March 2003 and 59542DA dated 6 October 2004) including a letter from Ambassador Yu Kutov regarding information about the reported stay of a former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

An Indian citizen had filed a petition under the Right to Information Act 2005 for obtaining all informationdocuments relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The information obtained from the Russian side was denied to the appellant at that time

^Thereupon an appeal was filed by the concerned citizen and currently the V Government of India is considering whether the informationdocuments

-t obtained from Russian authorities on the subject could be released toappellant Views of the Russian side whether the information provided by

( them could be released to the appellant would be essential for the^ f Government of India to take decision on the matter

The esteemed Ministryrsquos views on the matter may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the

s of its highest consideration

f V Ministry of Foreign AffairsL o f the Russian Federation

cr - A sia Department) ^V ^^(V io sco w

A V

Ministry o f External Affairs South Block N ew D elh i-110 011 Mail jsers m eagovinMail jsers m ea Phone 23017411

i]r

Phone 23017411 PhFax 23011922

S e c r e t

No H JS (E R S )2007

Dear L b ]

Please refer to AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence between the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra Bosersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E urasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm with the R ussian side w hether they would have

amp any objection to release of correspondence received from them on thissubject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos re~sponse m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

^Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) AS(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

( Dr J B hagw ati)

V

V No^5AS(PP)2007

Right to Inform atioi Timt

Most Im

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)rsquos Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Inform ation Act 2 005

Shri Anuj Dhar had initially requested this Ministry last year requesting form information on the following two points-

1 Certified copies of complete correspondence the MEA has had with the Governments o f the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

2 Confirmation on whether the Ministry had sought information from the erstwhile Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation by merely issuing Notes Verbale or some serious efforts were ever made at a higher (say Ministerial) level to uncover the mystery surrounding the fate of Netaji

filed an appeal with the CIC The appeal was considered by the CIC on 23 March 2007 The CIC has directed that the Ministry should have the documents under reference carefully examined by a panel of experts to determine whether the information sought by the applicant can be given or not

While we have not received the final decision of the Commission this would a time-bound exercise and it is therefore requested that JS(CNV) may please make the records available to me for a preliminary examination so that expeditious action can be taken on receipt of the formal decision of the CIC

The information was denied to Shri Dhar by this Ministry whereupon he

(AjAdditional Secretary (PP) fit

Appellate Authority (RTI) 28 March 2007

JS(CNV)

Copy forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with the request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me as soon as possible

o f iHC-ifl no 3 20 HOO bull rsquobull bullP

vrrwr 5fn tnrvtEMBASSY OF IN D IA

6-0 Ulitsa Obukha M O S C O W

Tel No 237-0820

t t v

Septe mb er 16 1991

The Embassy of I nd ia presents its compli me nt s to the Mi nistry of For ei gn Aff ai rs of the USSR and has the ho nour to enclose her ew it h a c o ll ect io n opound documents or NetSji S ub ha sh C h an d ra B o s e at one time a President of the Ind-ior N at io na l C o n g r e s s and a leading fig are in ths Indian freedom movement received from H r _ Ch it ts S s s u M em b er of P ar l ia m en t and Gene ra l Secretary All r d i a Forward Bloc a group founded by Meta ji Subhas-i X h 3 n d r a Fgt = $ e ord at present a c o n s t it ue n t of tne Left Front G o v e r n shyment in the Indian state of West Bengal

2 In these d o c u me n ts there are su ggestions quotingthe then Soviet A m b a s s a d o r in Kabul and the Soviet Vice Consu l in T e h er an to the effect that Netaji Subhash Chandra

itighr have found his way to the Soviet Union after the alleged ae ro p la n e cr as h in August 1 9 A 5 As recently as March 5 I990 The H i n d u s t a n Time an Indian daili n e w s p a p e r quoted a scholar of the Soviet Institute if Or ie nt al S t ud ie s to the effect t h a t there are t c S o v i e t sc ho la rs who have applied to tne Covernen-c of the US Sr for pe rm is si on to e xa min e cla ss if ie d documents

3- In the light of the current policy on Soviet nationala r ch i ve s the Embassy of India would appreciate if an rate- rial that sheds light on the fate of Netaji Subhush Chandra Dose in the a rch iv es of S ov ie t or ga nisations including s ec u r i t y o r g a ni s at io ns is made available to the Embassy of India

A The Ere bossy of India n vails itself of this opportunityto renew to the M i n s t r y of Foreign Affairs of the USSH the a s s u r a n c e s of its highest c on si deration

Seal

M i n i t r y of Foreign Af fa ir s Covernment of USSRM o s c o bullgt

E rc 1 a s a b o v e

if nI

(rough translation)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation

No ZAuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that according to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no information whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow8 January 1992

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

trrlter r_ EM B A S S Y OF INDIA6-8 Ulitsa Voiomsovo Polyo

N o S A 8 3 9 5 July 27 19SS

The Embassy of India presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to correspondence resting with their Note Verbaie No 2YuA of S January 15S2 regarding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Enclosed is a booklet which contends that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may have come to the former Soviet Union in 1945 There has teen further speculation in this context reportedly on the basis of archival materials In view of this it would be highly appreciated if ail materials available on the subject couid be examined for a final determination on whether or not Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose entered or stayed anywhere in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 or subsequently

The Embassy of India avails itself of tnis opportunity to renew to tne Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration - bull -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (South Asia Department) Moscow

v

(Unofficial T ransl

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

73YuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central Archival Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents^of Modern History no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to

renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 1995

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1995 Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years W e have now been informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory otthe former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador Kotov forwarding the note categorically asserts th a t we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soilrdquo and that extensive research can hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovrsquos letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

2 I would like you to please bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

(Pripuran Singh Haer)

0 M0 5 F f l I I 0 bull rsquo 1 ~ 6 C

Pripuran Singh Haer Charge dAffaires

MOSPOL125190

r o h o11 bull i bull r o j o o r i

trn s laquoPi j a r m rrcsl p - igt llsquo7EM B A S S Y OF INDIA

6-8 U l iu a Votomsovo PolyM O S C O W

Tel No S i 7-CS20 Tolex 413409 INDEMSU

Tgts Fa bullbull-9 3

October 31 19S5

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1SSS Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years We have now bee informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1595 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is nc

s informatcn whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory cf the formeSoviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador

ji Kotov forwarcing the note categorically asserts that we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soil and that extensive research can

1 hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovsbullvu letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

v jf2 1 wouid iike you to piesse bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

kt (Pripuran Singh Haer)

Shri R L Narayan Joint Secretary (EE) Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi

diams i iL Mr Ror on Sen Arnba ssador of Ind ia to th e R u s s i a n F e d e r a t i o n

D e a r R o n e n

E n c lo sed Y o u will find o u r no te c o n c e rn in g S u b h a sh C h a n d ra

Bose D o bel ieve th a t we have t r ied o u r best to discover any relevant

I actsU n f o r tu n a te ly I a m p ro fo u n d ly d is t ressed being u n a b le to provide

t any posi t ive in f o r m a t i o n on th e subject o f no t th e least im p o r t a n c e for

the In d ia n public Alas by now it a p p e a r s that we can be su re tha t Netnj has neve r set foot o n th e R u ss ia n soil Extensive re sea rch car r ied out

u p o n th e latest r eq u es t o f Y o u r s can h a rd ly leave any d oub ts to lhgt

effect

S in ce re ly Y ours Y a K o t o v

w

r lt W 3 lt tfr s t pound 2 3 i

Intervention by H EM rAnatoly MDrukov Ambassador of Russia in India during the

eress-conference on the 210296 in le Foreign Correspondentsrsquo Club__________

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is

deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people

who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73Y uA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

inform ation on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

m uch em otion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

j i

gt J -

i

Directorate of Foreign Relatilt Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

March 20 1997

N 547

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to you and has the honour to forward herewith the letter of Mr L Joychandra Singh addressed a second time to the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

In reply to this repeated query the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence (CAMD) of the Russian Federation has pointed out that there is no other data relating to the fate of Subhash Chandra Bose besides the information conveyed to you vide letter No1843 dated October 28 1996 (enclosing No222672 of the CAMD)

We request you to kindly inform Mr L Joychandra Singh of the above reply from the Archives

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Military Wing of the Embassy of India in Moscow the assurances of its highest consideration

Military Attache in the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation

Brig D Singh

No 19073DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federations presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassyrsquos note verbale No SA 1003 dated 8 January 2003 and the Ministryrsquos note verbale No 1423DA dated 28 June 2001 has the honour to inform you about the following

A search was conducted for documents related to the fate ofSCBose in the following federal archives

Russian State Military Archive (RGVA) Russian State Archives of Socio-Political History (RGASPI) State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) and Russian State Historical Archives of the Far East (RGIA DV) The information requested for was not found in the GARF RGVA and RGIA DV archives

Copies of the documents found in the RGIA DV Archives were sent to the Embassy in 2001

No information has been found about the fate of SC Bose in the Central Archives of the Russian FSB the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in the m anuscript section of the Russian State Library or in the Russian State Archives of Photographic Documents (RGAKFD)

We would also like to inform th a t the personnel archives of Eva Yakovlevna Lyusternik were sent after her death to the Russian Academy of Sciencesrsquo Institute of Oriental Studies and the open part of the archival m aterial on IV Stalin was sent from the archives of the President of the Russian Federation to RGASPI

The Ministry would like to use th is opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

M inistry of Foreign AtlairsR u ssian F ed eratio n

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Moscow 20th March 2003

^ M la iet ja Affaireo f the deration

No S 9 5 4 2 A A

The M inistry of Foreign Affairs of th e R ussian Federation p resen ts its com plim ents to the Em bassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and in continuation of Note No 55382XA dated Septem ber 14 2004 h as the honour to intorm th a t Information sought on the fate of Ind iarsquos p rom inent political figure Netaji S u b h ash C hand ra Bose was no t found in the C entral Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia

The M inistry avails of th is opportun ity to renew to the Em bassy the a ssu ra n ce s of its highest consideration

M oscow October 6 2004

E m bassy o f th e Republic o f India M oscow -

Ministry o f External Affairs CNV Division

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Information Act

Reference note at FR from AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) regarding CICrsquos directives on appeal by Shri Anuj Dhar who was denied information requested concerning disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his whereabouts in the former USSRRussia i f any

2 Vide letter o f 020806 at FA Shri Dhar had requested for (a) certified copies o f complete correspondence between MEA and the Government o f USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referring to Our Embassyrsquos intervention with the Russian MFA in 199219951997 2001 and 2003 and (b) whether MEA sought information from the Russian side in a routine manner through issue o f Note Verbales or some serious efforts were made at a higher level

3 Vide issue o f 250806 at FB CPIO on the basis o f inputs from CNV Division replied to Shri Dhar conveying that (a) requests to the Governments o f the USSRRussia were made through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels and (b) requisite copies o f the correspondence sought cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under provisions of Clause 8(l)(a)amp (f) o f the RTI Act Under Clause8(1)(a) there is noobligation to give any citizen information disclosure o f which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity o f India the security strategic scientific or economic interests o f the State relation with foreign State or lead to incitement o f an offence Under Clause 8(l)(f) there is no obligation to give ldquoinformation received in confidence from foreign governmentrdquo

4 Shri Dhar vide his letter o f 230906 at FC had appealed to then Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) on the ground that the reasons given by the CPIO denying him the information aslced for are untenable With regard to the intervention with the USSRRussian Government for information on Netajirsquos disappearance Shri Dhar seeks to know if this matter was pursued at a higher (say Ministerial) level Regarding Ministryrsquos resort to Clause 8(l)(a) Shri Dhar wrote that this is not intelligible to him as to how correspondence dealing with the disappearance o f a national hero can be threat to India or its relations with USSR which does not exist and has been disowned by the successor state o f the Russian Federation He has also questioned as to why information received in this matter o f national importance should be confidential In response to the appeal C lW Division has conveyed to JS (Inf) and CPIO vide its note dated 011106 at FD that (a) the information sought for by Shri Dhar ie whether serious efforts were made with interventions at higher levels with the Russian Government to seek information on Netajirsquos disappearance does not constitute ldquoinformationrdquo as defined in the RTI Act and the question is anecdotal in nature and (b) that copies o f correspondence cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under the relevant clauses in the RTI Act Though there is no evidence on this NGO file it is our understanding that these views were conveyed by the Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) to Shri Dhar Presumably what was meant was that Shri Dhar was seeking the opinion o f the MEA as to whether the efforts made by GOl in its interventions with the Russian Government were serious or just routinely taken up Since such lsquoopinionrsquo is not covered under Clause 1(0 hence it cannot be construed as lsquoinformationrsquo

6 The undersigned has gone through all available records in NGO Section pertaining to correspondence with the USSRRussian Governments seeking information on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose In particular attention is drawn to a note recorded in December 1998 at FE on linked file giving the chronological background to suchcorrespondence starting from May 1990 in the Note for Supplementaries prepared for Rajya Sabha Starred Question No 174 for answer on 101298 dealing with the Asiatic Societyrsquos request for access to Russian archives It may also be seen from the attached

A

Anticipated Questions and their Answersrsquo that Ministry was willing to disclose the contents o f the Note Verbale received from the Russian Government in response to IUdiaji demarches regarding information on Netaji on the floor o f the House There is no i available on NGO files to indicate if such information was in fact disclosed on the flooi o f the House when the PQ was answered However the point to note is Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose such information As per the last line under Clause 8 o f RTI Act ldquoinformation which cannot be denied to the Parliament or the State legislature shall not be denied to any personrdquo Therefore if such information has already been disclosed on the floor o f the House or even by virtue o f Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose we may no deny such information requested by Shri Anuj Dhar

7 Chronologically the correspondence copies available on file and linked files and sought by Shri Dhar are listed as under

(a) NV No Nil dated 160991 from EI Moscow to MFA USSR Government at FF on linked file

(b) NV No 2YuA dated 080192 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at -FGv -- bullbullbulllaquo mdash bullbull

(c) NV No SA8395 dated 270795 from EI M oscow to MFA Russian Government at FH on linked file

(d) NV No 73YuA dated 271095 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at FI

(e) DO letter from CDA EI Moscow enclosing Amb Kotovrsquos letter to Amb Ronen Sen at FJ on linked file

(f) Record o f intervention by Russian Ambassador to India at a press IK lrsquo ltonffirericebnrsquo2i0296 at FK on linked file

(g) NV No N547 dated 200397 from Russian Defence Ministry to EI Moscow at FL

(h) NV No 19073DA dated 200303 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow aft FM and

(k) NV No 59542DA dated 061004 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow 4 FN

8 A perusaldf the available correspondence shows the continuous effort made by the Ministry through the Embassy in Moscow to obtain information available i f any on Netajirsquos whereabouts in Russia It also shows that such effort was made at very high levels even through correspondence between the Indian Ambassador to Russia and his Russian counterpart One such correspondence is even addressed to a private Indian citizen in Manipur and the same has been passed on to him by our Embassy in Moscow There is no evidence to suggest that such correspondence was received in confidence an not to be disclosed However it would be beyond the competence o f CNV Division to make such a judgment merely on perusal ofthe filesrecords available in NGO SectionAS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) may like to consult Eurasia Division and Embassy o f India Moscow on whether disclosure o f such information under RTI woulc be detrimental to bilateral relations

J)(Debnath ShaiO

X At Wi bull JS (CNV)09 April 20f)7

AS fPP) amp Aeffellate Authority TRTI)

fet L 0 k f t t U a k k f c v J y -TI 4 i t i

cn v w et oA 2 4 JhV oW ei w ttC a

i CIC c h t tfcVe (jEuTA4-IAJ jrteaitcrj At-jKCdh-al tjyin cm Mm+cpL

I M i i ) J L j i t

j J 7

i

-r-

31

FAXTo AS(PP)

MEA New Delhi Fax 91-11-23013387

From First Secretary (Pol) Indembassy Moscow

Rpti) DS[Russia] MEA

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tele 007-495-9163544 Fax 007- 495-9163632

With reference to DS[Russia]rsquos message regarding AS[PP]rsquos note to JS[CNV] No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 9 April 2007 on an appeal filed under No RTI act 2005

2 Please find faxed herewith currently available few copies of this Missionrsquos correspondence with local authorities on the subject We will send more m aterial if available by the earliest diplomatic bag

U ) U v tcrv-4 j

(Dr Suresh Babu) FS [Pol]

13042007

A

- P O C C H H C K A fl A K M E M H H HAYK ^

H H C T H T Y T B O C T O K O B E ^ E H H J I

___________ JV2 ____________________

H a JVs_____________________________ T To 1Justice Mukherji

Commission o f Inquiry M irza Ghalib Street

Kolkata

Dear Sir

This is to inform you that as per your request we have checked the Private

Archive o f Prof EYaLustemic in the Indian Center o f the Institute of Oriental

Studies Russian Academy o f Sciences Moscow

We regret to inform you that there is no document on Subash Chandra Bose

With sincere regards

(Shaumian TLHead the Indian Center o f the Institute o f Oriental Studies

Russian Academy o f SciencesM oscow)

26092005

l0303l(Plttgt CHO 103753 (MeacflyHapoflHbiH) MocKBa T C n yji PoxcnecTBeHKa12 Ten (095)921-1884 (095)925-6461 Oaicc (095)975-2396 E-mail ivran orcru

In contrast to Indian National Congress Bose and his activists basically counted on armed struggle and open cooperation against enemies of England - Germany Italy and Japan Bose dreamed about freedom for India through crushing defeat of Britain Bose could not do it himself so he linked activity of his troops and groups with assault of Germany on India from the West and Japan from the East The aim of Bose was to expedite the assault in all possible ways and reinforce it from inside by subversive Anti-English activity in India and if possible to attached nature o f mass anti-British revolt However at that time not all people considered his activity as ldquosubversiverdquo Fascism was not so popular in India at that time but racism and violence were condemned everywhere A lot of Indians were satisfied with telling blows delivered hateful center o f empire by axis countries in particular against the background of British demonstrative nonshyrecognition of Indian rights for self-determination J Nehru wrote about this period How can we conciliate two basic directions of our policy - opposition to British imperialism and opposition to fascism and nazism How can we adjust our nationalism with our internationalism That was a difficult question for us taking in view current situation However this question would not be difficult if the British Government take a step to show us its refusal from imperialistic policy in India and rely on peoplersquos good willrdquo

But it did not happen Indian public reacted accordingly Describing the psychological atmosphere in the country that time Jawaharlal Nehru wrote ldquoPeople were pushing out not by patriotic feelings but by their willingness to save themselves from an offense and the worstrdquo

So S Bose did not have any mass support but he could use the mood of majority for his own purposes Nehru wrote about it the following ldquoProtection of the imperialism which we were fighting with for such a long time seemed to be non-sense and impossible to usrdquo

Unofficial translation

ldquoMatsottardquo is obtaining Soviet visa

Instructions were really complicated It was necessary to send Subhas Chandra Bose to Germany He was wanted by Britain secret service colonial Administration and local police throughout India Bose was staunch and irreconcilable adversary of Great Britain and may be the most dangerous one at that time

Extracts of the book whiten by Yuri L Kuznets ldquoMarauders are quitting the gamerdquo

Published in 1992 by ldquoInterprakstrdquo Moscow

Of course Bose made his main counting on the military defeat of England at the time when Hitlerrsquos Germany had been already at the war with it and Japan was still neutral So Bose was interested in Berlin When Japan occupied Burma and came close to the Indiarsquos borders Bose reoriented to the Far East

In spring 1941 his ways crossed with Bhagat Ram Bose decided to shift from India to Berlin because some of his friends and relatives were arrested in India and he by himself also was wanted He needed Hitlerrsquos support including financial one Ports we under police control and departure trough one of them was very risky Bose took another way and in February came to Kabul He was accompanied by Bhagat Ram who was not a member o f Bosersquos organization he did not like axis-members but he was posted as Bosersquos escort by his party ldquoKirti Kissanrdquo because o f his knowledge of Phushtun zone which they had to cross as well as Afghanistan and Kabul He also had his own flat in Kabul - the premises which belonged to Ultam Chang and his shop It was supposed that Ram was doing a favour to Bose only due to their common aim - to weak British positions in India at most

Ram fulfilled his task Bose settled down in Kabul and started to make arrangements for the next step of his journey During war time he could come to Germany only through the territory o f USSR For this purpose he required a passport which he did not have German Embassy applied to the Italian one Italians considered the German request positively Bose got passport in respect of Italian citizen Mazzotta Holding this passport Bose applied to the Soviet Embassy for transit visa crossed the USSR territory and came to Berlin

Mazzotta disappeared But German Consulate General drew attention to Bhagat Ram who was introduced as a powerful Indian activist in Afghanistan and India with anti-British orientation It was o f interest and he was suggested to work for the German Secret Service German resident was satisfied with Ramrsquos past his contacts and mood especially because he was concerned about difficulties o f the anti-British activities in India shortage of agents and information as well as conspiratorial bases in India Bosersquos recommendation also helped Ram was thinking it would be important for me and my party to establish contacts with enemies of their enemies

Offer on co-operation was accepted Ram left German Consulate having 100 000 Indian Rupees in his pocket 12 guns and ballets Money and arms were required by the people whom Ram would be recruiting in India Since May 1941 after the German finished their checking Ram had become the main agent o f the German Secret Service in India

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337 Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 9 4 0 5 September 9 2005

The Em bassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Em bassyrsquos earlier Note Verbales on the visit of a delegation of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 20-30 2005 in connection with enquiring into the facts and circum stances relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

It is confirmed th a t all logistical arrangem ents for official JMCI delegation and the accompanying eight deponents would be facilitated by the Embassy with no financial implications to the Russian side

It would be appreciated if the decision of the esteemed Ministry on visas for the visiting team may kindly be expedited

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

Copy to Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

No 5830 2DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Notes No SA16605 of 08 August No SA17405 of 18 August and No SA17905 and No SA18005 of 26 August this year has the honour to inform as follows

Justice Mukherjee as a Head of the Delegation set up by the Government of India to inquire about life of Subhas Chandra Bose pertaining to the period from 1945 onwards as well as the accompanying delegation will be given access to the documents kept in the Reading Halls o f the Federal and State Archives of the Subjects o f the Russian Federation in Moscow St Petersburg Irkutsk and Omsk through the Federal Archives Agency of the Russian Federation All expenditures related to the arrangements for their visit air-passage accommodation transport and medical insurance etc should be borne by the Indian side The Federal Archive Agency requests to inform Mr MK Mukherjee of the addresses of Federal Archives given below

1 Russian State Archive for social and political history - 103 821 Moscow 15 B Dmitrovka Str Director - Kiril M Anderson Tel 229 97 26

2 Russian State Archive of Audio- Photo Documents - 143 400 Moscow Region Krasnogorsk 1 Rechnaya Str Director - Lyudmila P Zapryagaeva Tel 562 14 64 563 08 45

3 Russian State Archive for Phono Documents 105 005 Moscow3 2ya Baumanskaya Str Director - Vladimir A Kolyada Tel 261 13 00

4 Russian State Naval Archive - 191 186 St Perersburg 36 Millionnaya Str Director - Vladimir S Sobolev Tel (812)312 11 37

The Federal Archives Agency recommends the following for work with the documents o f

- Central State Archive of St Petersburg - to apply to St Petersburg Archives Committee (193 015 St Petersburg 39 Tavricheskaya Str) Chairman of the Committee - Mr Anatoly D Yashkov Tel (812) 271 44 55)

- State Archive of Omsk Region - to apply to the Archive Department of the Ministry for State and Legal Development o f Omsk Region Head - Ms Galina Yu Borodina (644 099 Omsk 1 Tretyakova Str) Tel (381-2) 25 57 26

- State Archive of Irkutsk Region - to apply to Archive Department of Irkutsk Region Head - Ms Nadezhda K Shestakova (664003 Irkutsk 36a Gorkogo Str) Tel (395-2) 24 06 42

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow ldquo 15 ldquo September 2005

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA Moscow

slvNon-paper

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9

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow___ Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337

Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 8 0 0 5 August 26 2005

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Embassyrsquos earlier communications regarding the visit of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 18-30 2005

By way of background information given below are the relevant details of JMCI -

(i) The Government o f India Ministry o f Home Affairs New Delhi vide a gazette notification No S 0339(B) dated 14th May 1999 appointed Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry for Inquiry into the Alleged Disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under Section (3) o f the Commission o f Inquiry Act o f 1952 (60 o f 1952)

(ii) As per this notification Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry shall inquire into all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945 and subsequent developments connected therewith including-(a) whether Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is dead or alive(b) I f he is dead whether he died in the plane crash as alleged(c) Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are the ashes o f Netaji(d) Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and if

so when and how(e) I f he is alive in respect o f his whereabouts

(iii) The Commission shall also examine the manner in which the exercise o f Scrutiny o f Publications touching upon the question o f death or otherwise on Netaji can be undertaken by the Central Government in the circumstances

(iv) Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry is funded by the Ministry o f Home Affairs Government o f India and is an official Commission

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

Copy to M inistry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV t J 001

A MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS (PP) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of material immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

Deputy Secretary (Russia) Ph 23015199 Intercom 2285

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

Dr T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

T c J i h irvMUt(SOMNATH GHOSH)

Deputy Secretary Ministry of External Affairs

New Deifci

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 1^1002

( t

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No R T I-2 pound _ A S (P P )2 0 0 7

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance_of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anufpfiar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) 6t

Appellate Authority (RTI) 09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

g^py forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - H W U(Ajal Choudhfy)

1 o 7

0 v

j N lsquoaA gt ^ 1 ^

04 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV

MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS-iEP-) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of matenal immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

D tpu ij u su ta i J iu J o ia JPh 23015199 Intercom 228S

D r T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

h i 7-

_100pound 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 002

Most Immediate

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No RTI-HiLAS(PP) 2007

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed bv Shri Anul Dhar under RTI 200S - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anurbhar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC ------ = = = = mdash

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) amp

Appellate Authority (RTI)09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

JZopy forwarded to JS(Eurasla) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - t t U X f (Ajal ChoudMfy)

k

Buff 43402

Square C u t Raider A4 434Made in London

Blue 43403 Green 43404 Grey 43405 Orange 43406 Pink 43407 Red 43408 Yellow 43409 Mauve 43414

Page 16: V ' . . . Disci* wi/K 0*s*/ - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ...

No RTI5517606Ministry of External Affairs

( RTI Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquos note WI (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content of the note was conveyed to the Information Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government of

j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russian 1 Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the National

Achieve o f India

We have received a communication to this effect from the CIC which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(AK Nag) JS (Wei amp Inf) amp CPIO

December 18 2007

In fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r

gt O P KEJARIWAL fe laquoft-110067 B lo ck-IV 5 th F lo o r O ld JN U C a m p u s

N e w D e lh i-1 1 0 0 6 7 T ele fax 26717351

C entra In fo rm a t io n C o m m is s io n

November 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T I5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian Governm ent for disclosure of the N eta ji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar We have now received a le tte r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N eta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portan t from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere ind iv idualrsquos in terest He suggests and reuests therefore that this m ateria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India from abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m a tte r t h erefore is pursued w ith the I Russian G overnm ent so th a t w hatever m ateriah s o f va lue a nd in te rest to India m ay com e to us especially in the present case

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) Ministry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

Yours sincerely

(OP Kejariw al)

To 26 November 2007

Dr OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner Central Information Commission Old JNU Campus New Delhi - 110067

Subject R eq u est to Ind ian Errbassy to procure p ost-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian arch ives

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter NoR TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2007 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision N oC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made v this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the

Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Embassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

i

2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing ruies or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at times provide information A request from the Embassy of India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

^ would not yvant this exercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant records are identified the Embassy may procure them for the National Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India

since they are likely to provide a never befc 3 insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world w a r for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n L ____2 63 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mayzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez iden ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)[A rch ive o f the P res id en t o f the R uss ian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lsk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606-13-33 Fax (495 ) 606 -19 -66

2 Is to riko-dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del R F (ID D M ID) [H is torico-D ocum enta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in is try o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o lenska ia -S enna ia p loshchad 3234 Tel (495) 244-32-19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i po litik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (A V P RF)[A rch ive o f Fore ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241-04-80

4 Tsen tra lrsquonyi a rkh iv M in is te rs tva o bo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f D e fense]142100 M oskovskaia ob las t P odo lrsquosk ul K irova 74 Tel (495) 715-90-05 (0967) 54-00-03

5 G lavno je R azvedyva te lno je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilitary In te lligence D irecto ra te arch ives Address not know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 TsentraPnyi a rkh iv Federa lno i s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (TsA FSB R ossjj)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F edera l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzhby vneshne i razvedki RF (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)[O perational A rch ive o f the Fore ign In te lligence S erv ice ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 5110Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 245 -33 -68 Fax (495) 247-05-29

8 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (TsA M VD R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In te rna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovocherem ushk inska ia 67 (Archive) ul Zoi i A leksa nd ra K osm odem iansk ikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-90

2

o o ^ y - q ^ - s z n ^ h

A deg U lt 6 S (3 2 -

gt

bull - - - bull bull

i - r

-0

F a x M e s s a g e P n o m

7 Jan 2008 1626

NameFax Number

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C

L i

DIRlt ERS)MEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1626 P0105

M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Te l 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u srs m eag o v in

WI(AJD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u FS (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P le as e find a ttached a self-explanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f S ubhash C hand ra Bose under the RT Act for kind necessary action a t your end

lahul S h rivastava) U n d e rs e c re ta ry 7 J a n u a ry 2 0 0 8

DIR(ERS gtMEflRNQ235C 7 Jan 2008 16=26 P020b

No RTI5517606 Ministry of External Affairs

( RTX Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquo s note W I (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser o f complete correspondence

with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash | Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content o f the note was conveyed to the Information j Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant bull The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government o f j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russiani Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the Nationali bull

W e have received a communication to this effect from the CIC

i s J

Achieve o f India

which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(A K Nag) JS (W ei amp Inf) amp CPIO1

December 18 2007

DIR( ERS gtMEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1627 P 0305

gt O P KEJARIWALSTTJprf

-MiX TR 4 58 cfcr TPTT

fcc=6ft11 0 0 6 7 Biock-lV 5th Floor Oki JNU Campus

I n fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r New Delhi-110067 Telefax 26717351

Centra Information Commission

Novem ber 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T 5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian G overnm ent fo r disclosure of the N etaji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar W e have now received a le t te r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N e ta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portant from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere individuals in terest He suggests and reuests th ere fo re that this m a te ria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India f rom abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m atte r therefore is pursued w ith the Russian Governm ent so th a t w hatever m ateria l is of va lue and interest to India may come toTis especially in the present case

Yours sincerely

(O P Kejariw al)

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) M inistry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C 7 Jan 2008 16 = 2 P 0405

02 6 N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 7

Dr OP Kejariwal information Com missioner Central Information Commission

+ Old JNU Campus N ew Delhi - 110067

Subject R e q u e s t to Ind ian Em bassy to procure post-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian a rc h ive s

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter N o R TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2 0 07 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTi Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision NoC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

lt think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Em bassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

4 2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing rules or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at tim es provide information A request from the Embassy o f India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

I would not w ant this e xercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant fcS ords s re identified the Em bassym ay procure them fo rtheN atTonal Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India since they are likely to provide a never befc s insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

1

DIR ( ERS) ME ARN0235C7 Jan 2008 16=27

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world war for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n t 2 6 3 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mazzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez idsn ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)Archive o f th e P re s id e n t o f the R ussian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lrsquosk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606 -13 -33 Fax (495) 606-19-66

2 Is to riko -dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del RF (ID D M ID) [H is to rico -D ocum en ta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in istry o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o ie nska ia -S en n a ia p loshchad rsquo 3234 Tel (495) 244 -32 -19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i p o lit ik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (AVP RF)[A rch ive o f Fo re ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241 -04 -80

4 Tsen tra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva obo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f th e M in is try o f D e fense] - bull -142100 M oskovska ia o b la s t P odo lsk ul K irova74 Tel (495 )715-90-05 (0 9 6 7 )5 4 -0 0 -0 3

5 G lavno je R a zve dyva te ln o je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilita ry In te lligence D irectora te a rch ives A ddress no t know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv FederaPnoi s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (T sA FS B R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F e de ra l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzh by vneshne i razvedki R F (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)(O perational A rch ive o f the F o re ign In te lligence Service ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 51 10Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 2 4 5 -33 -6 8 Fax (495) 247-05-29

Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (T sA M VD R ossii)[Central A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In terna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovoche rem ushk inska la 67 (Archive) ul Z o i i A le ksa n d ra K osm odem ianskikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-30

ffs

amp-3gt) i c y v

Embassy of India Moscow(Political Wing) f t

r r v ^Subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with USSRRussia over the

disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 reg

Reference remarks made by the Ambassador on FR a letter from JS (Wei ampInf) addressed to Shri OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner copy endorsed to Min (Pol) on the above subject

Back ground of the case On receipt o f a copy o f AS (PP )rsquo s Note No RTI- 36AS(PP)07 dated 942007 on the above subject Mission vide fax dated 130407 forwarded few copies o f Missionrsquos correspondence with the local authorities on the subject to AS(PP) -------- At F A

Subsequently on receipt o f JS(ERS)rsquo s letter No 1 lJS(ERS)2007 dated 20407 enclosed with A S (PP )rsquo s Note No 30AS(PP)07 amp JS(CNV)rsquo s Note along with copies o f correspondence available in CNV Division on the subject Mission has sent a Note Verbale No SA8907 dated 1752007 to Russian Foreign Ministry requesting for the views o f the Russian side whether the information provided by them could be released to the appellant -------At FB

Documents provided by Russian side and forwarded to the Commission

(i) Documents initially provided by the Russian side attached with Note Verbale No1423 DA dated 28h June 2001 which was forwarded to the Ministry on August

31 2001 may please be seen a t-----FC in the linked file

(ii ) On the basis of an affidavit submitted to the Justice Mukherjee Commission a Note Verbale No SA25904 dated December 22 2004 was sent to the M FA and reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 13142 DA dated 4 March 2005 enclosed with a copy of letter from Mr V Sayadyants to the Soviet Ambassador to Iran Mr IV Sadchikov regarding the political situation in India in 1946 may please be seen a t--------FD in the linked file

Response of the Russian side

( i) A reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 42952 DA dated 2262007 stating therein that ldquo the documents from Russian Archives handed over in June 2001 were for official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up by it for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo This was conveyed to the Ministry vide letter No MOSPOL125190 dated 472007 --------At FE

P2

2

Again on receipt o f a copy o f the decision o f Central Information Commission vide No RTI5517606 dated 22082007 (At FF) Mission took up the matter with M FA vide Note Verbale No SA17307 dated 1892007 for which a reply was received vide No 42952DA dated 11007 reiterating their view that the documents from RussianArchives were submitted exclusively for official use by the GOI including Thiswas conveyed to the Ministry vide E-gram dated 10102007-----At FG

Submitted as desired by Min (Pol) please

2

f^TT FTRTTM IN ISTR Y O F E X TE R N A L A F FA IR S

NEW D ELH I

Dated 2nd November 2007 I gt gt v

gt ldquo $

NoRTI551762006

Shri OP KejariwalInformation Commissioner Central Information Commission Club Building Old JNU Campus New Delhi-110 067 bull

Subject- Disclosure o f complete correspondenc e with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RT[ Act 2005

SirAs per directives o f the Honrsquoble Central Information

Commission contained in Para 13 o f the decisioNoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi seeking certified copies o f the complete correspondence this Ministry had with the Governments of the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

9 ^ 2 Our Embassy in Moscow again approached the Government of Russian Federation to get their consent to the disclosure o f documents under reference but the Government of Russian Federation reiterated that documents were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government o f India for investigation o f Netajee Subhash Chandra Bose disappearance

3 However they state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note o f the Embassy can approach the authorities o f the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy o f India for permission to get to know the M aterials deposited in Federal and State Archives o f the Russian Federation

OV-

g ji)

j d L

Yours faithfully

(AK Nag) Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer

_ f

- i V lt L

Copy for information forwarded to-

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110 018

2 Director(ERS) Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi with reference to his Note NoW l(AD)5511007 dated 25102007

Minister (Pol) Embassy o f India Moscow

Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp Central Public Information Officer

N o W l(A D ) 5 5 1 1 0 0 7 M inistry o f External A ffa irs

(ERS D ivision)

W ith re ference your N ote No R T I5 5 1 7 6 0 6 dated 2 2 8 2 0 0 7 to JS (E R S ) regarding d isclosure o f com plete correspondence w ith the USSRRussia o v e r th e d is a p p e a ra n c e o N e ta ji S u b h a s h C h a n d ra B o s g u n d e r R T I A c t 2005 p lease find enclosed th e unofficial translation o f th e note verb ale dated 1 0 c to b e r rsquo0 7 sent by R ussian M inistry o f Foreign Affairs in reply to the note verbale sent by our E m bassy in M o scow on the subject

(A rya S an d e e p ) D irector (E R S )

2 5 O ctob er 2 0 0 7

JS (W ei amp Inf ampCentral Public In form ation O fficer

v C op y to M in ister (Pol) E m bassy o f India M oscow

U n o ffic ia l T ra n s la tio n

Quote

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highest consideration

Moscow 01st October 2007

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

For official use only

E-GRAM

NoMOSPOL 125 190 laquo y October 10 2007

From To

Indembassy Moscow Foreign New Delhi

AStERS) from Minister (Poll

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

Q u o teUnofficial translation

Moscow 01st October 2007

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

sd-(Dr Subhakanta Behera)

Minister (Political)

a I JH

NICEMAIL r^T^X Page 1 o f 1

y

Current Folder SentMaill y II

I - Compose rsquo^ Addresses ^ Folders EOptions gt Search ^ H e lp sij^Fetch ^ss^Calen

Message List | Delete | Edit Previous I Next Forward I Forward as Attachment | Reply | Reply A ll Message as N ew ------------1 ----------- 1-------------------------------- 1 ldquo r J 1

Subject Message from EI MoscowFrom dcmmoscowmeagovinDate Wed October 10 2007 110 pm

To jsersmeagovinPriority NormalOptions V iew Full Header | V iew Printable V ersion | Add to Addressbook

Attachments

untitled -[l] Ok [texthtm l] download | view

MQS10100716dth 175 k [ applicationoctet-stream ] download

10)0o

NoMOSpOL125190 October 10 2007

From Indernbassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

AS(BRS) from Minister (Pol)

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

Q u o teUnofficial translation

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of

September 20o7 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22laquod of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

For official use only

1

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

Moscow 01st October 2007

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Minister (Political)

No64682DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and

the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 da ted the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

In add ition to the Note o f the M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion No 429 5 2D A dated the 22 nd o f June 2007 in form tha t docum ents from R ussian a rch ives w ere subm itted e xc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the

the Com m issionAfor investiga tion o f N eta jee S ubhas C handra B ose d isappea rance d e ta iis ^s ta b lis h e d by the G ove rnm en t o f IndiaD

p TU-Indian c itizen m en tioned in the Note o f the E m bassy has ^ f fg h t th rough the E m b a s sy tfo request and to fee- get to k n o w ^ a te r ia ls depos ited in Federa l and S ta te A rch ives o f the R ussian F ede ra tion w ith the perm iss ion o f its authorities

The M in is try ava ils th is opportun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest conside ra tion

M oscow 01st O ctober 2007

A ppend ix N ote N o4295 2D A

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

ampJk i A

lAK i

M

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No42952DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and quo ting the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 dated the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

D ocum ents from R ussian a rch ives m entioned in the N ote o f the E m bassy w ere subm itted in particu lar in June 2001 exc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the use by the C om m iss ion fo r inves tiga tion o f N e ta jee S ubhas C handra Bose d isappea rance deta ils estab lished by the G ove rnm en t o f India

W e a lso in form tha t the access to Federa l and S ta te A rch ive s o f the R ussian Federa tion is a llow ed w ith the perm iss ion o f Federa l a rch ives A g en cy (R osarch ives) the read ing in read ing room s o f concre te a rch ives w ith th e perm ission o f a rch ives s truc tu res au tho rities o f co rrespond ing bod ies on the basis o f appea l o f E m bassies sc ien tific research ins titu tes and pub lic o rgan iza tions

The M in is try ava ils th is oppo rtun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest considera tion

M oscow 02nd June 2007

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

MHHHCTepcTBO PiHocTpaHHbix 0eji Pocchhckoh

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NoSA17307

gt v

TRcT ltTv5f rram TTWTEMBASSY OF INDIA

MOSCOWriOCOIbCTBO HhaMM

MocKBa

18 September 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure of entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

J rThe Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent

vdeg a u th o r ity (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sidersquos view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set

^ up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji V A Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not

^ disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if suchaterial could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry it

could be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissionrsquos work is over Thecompetent authority is of the opinion that the material in question could be disclosed

W ^ deg the Appellant They further advised the Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi to formal clearance for the disclosure of the entire material on the above subject

J ^ ^ ^ f r o r y ^ e ^ i l i s s i a n side

- esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure of the above material maylease be communicated to this Mission at an early date

-

f

mbassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to tfte ^ in ijP r^W f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ^ of the Russian F e d e r ^ J ^(2nd Asia Department) 4 - 1 ^ gt i Csy~~~ aM o s c o w 1

6-8 yn BopoHUOBO rioie 131940 r MocKBa

Ten 007-095-783-75-35 007-095-783-75-34

wwwindianembassyru

tjgt2 t 007-095-916-36- 3 2 007-095-975-23-37

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR

JS(WelampInf) amp Central Public Information Officer has forwarded u s the CIC decision with request to initiate action in accordance with p a ra -13 th e Information Commission is all for disclosure of the material The CIC does not see any reason why the m aterial should not be disclosed now to any researcher since the Justice Mukherjee Commissionrsquos work is over Accordingly it has advised the Ministry of External Affairs to seek the formal clearance from the Russian authorities in the m atter

2 DCMrsquos last comm unication with JS(ERS) was made on 4th July 2007 DCM had forwarded the translation of the note verbale received from the Russian Foreign Office

3 In the light of above we may again send a note verbale to the Foreign Office in accordance with p a ra -13 of the CIC decision

Subm itted please

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

Sept 13 2007

NoSA17307 $ September 2007

The Embassy o f India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure o f entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

The Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent authority (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sides view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if such material could be made available to the Justice Mukheerjee Commission for inquiry they see no reason why-thisO material should iw k be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissions work is over The competent authority is of the ifem opinion that the material in question should be disclosed to the Appellant They further advised the Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi to obtain formal clearance for the disclosure o f the entire material on the above subject from the Russian side

The esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure o f the above material may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2nd Asia Department) Moscow

No R TI5517606 Ministry o f External Affairs

(RTI Division)

Subject - Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

Please find enclosed herewith Central Information Com m issionrsquos decision NoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar o f New Delhi

2 It is requested that necessary action may please be initiated in accordance with para-13 o f the CIC decision

EnclAs above

JS (Eiirasia)

(AiC Nag) Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer22-08-2007

mdash o j^ VxkxraquoA

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(XaA

- e j

(e-US)

V mdash j ^ bull

S c

X H bull ( 0 r h

gf if raquofn2(gt0Dy N o pound 3 amp RTI D1V200gt

Central Information Commission ilaquoWDlaquoted4i^USd|ampL~

sect $ I| | i yyNoCICOKA200600671

Dated 10 August 2007

Name of the Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar263 Kangra NiketanVikaspuri New Delhi - 110 018

Name of the Public Authority Ministry of External Affairs

Background

Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi filed an application with the PIO Ministry of

External Affairs on 2 August 2006 for seeking certified copies of the complete

correspondence the Ministry of External Affairs had with the Governments of

the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash

Chandra Bose

2 The PIO vide his letter dated 25 August 2006 informed the Appellant that

the request to the Government of USSR and the Russian Federation were made

through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels The PiO also stated that the

requisite copies of the correspondence could not be disclosed at it involves the

relations with a foreign State and so was exempt from disclosure as per the

provisions of Clause 8(1 )(a)amp(f) of the RTI Act

3 Dissatisfied with the reply of the PIO the Appellant filed an appeal with

the first Appellate Authority on 23 September 2006 who vide his letter dated 6

November 2006 again denied disclosure of the documents taking recourse to the

Section 8(1 )(a) and (i) The bench of Dr OP Kejariwal Information

mmissioner heard the matter on 23 March 2007

4 The main stand of the Respondents to the information sought by the

Appellant which is regarding the correspondence between India and the

Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia was that this

information could not be disclosed as it was likely to affect the countryrsquos

relationship with another State On making enquiries from the Respondents it

was clear that this correspondence had neither been seen nor been examined

by an expert to come to such a conclusion Therefore the Commission felt

that the Applicantrsquos application had been treated casually

5 The Commission then directed the Respondents to first have this

correspondence examined by their own experts and if need be by an outside

expert who they could rely on and then take a firm decision In case the

experts came to the conclusion that the applicability of the denial clause was

not relevant in the case the material could be disclosed to the Appellant

However in case the Respondents came to the conclusion that the relations

between the Governments of india and Russia would be affected through the

disclosure of this information the Commission would like the issue to be

settled only after a reference had been made to the Government of Russia

6 The matter was taken up for a second hearing by the bench of Dr OP

Kejariwal Information Commissioner on 10 August 2007

7 Shri AK Naag Joint Secretary (Inf amp Wei) amp CPIO and Shri Nand

Kishore Under Secretary (RTI) represented the Respondents

8 The Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar was present in person

Decision

9 The Commission heard both the sides During the hearing the

Respondents stated before the Commission that they had received a response

from the Government of the Russian Federation Moscow in pursuance of the

Commissionrsquos earlier Order in the matter dated 23 March 2007

10 This letter stated ldquoaccording to the correspondence received from the

Embassy of India Moscow the Russian Foreign Office has stated that the

documents handed over by them in June 2001 were meant only for the GOIrsquos

official use and for the work of the Commission in investigations into the

disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo

11 During the hearing the Appellant stated that his request included the

entire correspondence between the Governments of India and the USSR

regarding nf NPtajirsquos disappearance The Commission accepted this

request and directed the Respondents to clearly mention this while seeking the

approval of the Russian authorities for disclosure of this material

12 Also during the hearing the Appellant made a plea for a copy of the

letter received by the Ministry of External Affairs resulting from the application

that he had made on the issue The Commission saw no objection in this

request and directs the Respondents to supply a copy of this letter to the

Appellant

13 The Commission further feels that if the material could be made

available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the

disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be

disclosed now to any Researcher now that that Commissionrsquos work is over The

information Commission therefore is all for disclosure of this material to the

Appellant However it advises the Ministry of External Affairs to seek a formal------ ------ - _ ____________ ___

clearance from the Russian Authorities in the matter

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110018

Shri AK Nag Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) a Central Public Information Officer Room No 207 Akbar Bhawan Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110021

3 Shri Ajay Choudhary Additional Secretary amp Appellate Authority Room No 144 C South Block Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110011

4 Officer Incharge NSC

5 Press E Group CIC

(OP Kejariwal) Information Commissioner

Cc

The Statesman

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17 August 2007

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01

[ India ]-

Netaji filesrsquo disclosure ordered

New Delhi Aug 16 The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the external affairs ministry to disclose its correspondence with the erstwhile USSR over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra BoseldquoThe Commission feels that if the material could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be disclosed to any researcher nowrdquo information commissioner Mr OP Kejariwal saidThe Commission made this observation while hearing Mission Netajirsquos plea for certified copies of the complete correspondence between India and the USSR over Netajirsquos disappearance in 1945 The CIC in its decision relied on a letter from officials in Moscow that said the documents which were handed over to India were meant for ldquoofficial use and for the work o f the Mukherjee Commission n PTI

Discussion on this Ind ia itemDisclaimer These are Internet generated discussion threads for which the The Statesman has no responsibilityNo discussions on this item

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http wwwthestatesmannetpagenewsphpclid=2amptheme=ampusrsess=lampid=l 66383 8172007

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y H a n ip b i B o c a

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hiohh 2007 rona

raquo

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR and noting of FS(Pol) thereon

2 It seems the Russian Foreign Office does not want to add anything beyond what they have already pu t in the note verbale of Ju n e 22 2007 However if the said note verbale is read together with the bilateral Agreement of 2000 it becomes clear th a t there is no bar oft supplying confidential information to persons asking for the sam e According to Article 3b ot the Agreement decisions to hand over particular classified information shall be taken by the Parties on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the laws of their States

3 Moreover as a scrutiny of the correspondences between the SovietRussian and Indian sides shows they do not contain any sensitive information All the correspondences convey the result of the search in the Russian Archives Perhaps tha t is why JS(CNV) was inclined to suggest the disclosure of the correspondences

4 Given my positive view on the m atter for disclosure of the correspondences I would however like to propose tha t the Ministry may be sent a copy of the note verbale received from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to take into cognizance of the Agreement of 2000 before taking any final decision on the m atter If needed LampT Division in the Ministry may also be consulted

Subm itted please

(r

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

July 3 2007

No 42952DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation and in reference to the Note SA8907 dated 17th May 2007 has honour to inform the following -

The documents from Russian archives referred to in the Embassyrsquos note in particular handed over in June 2001 for official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set up by it for the investigation of circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

cm)

a

W e further inform that the access to materials belong to federal and state archives of the Russian Federation is given with the consent of Federal Agency of Achieves (Rosarchiv) and permission to work in reading halls of agency archives is given by authorities of archives belong to concerned agencies on direct requests by embassies scientific amp research institutions and social organizations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation assurances of its highest consideration

^ ft o j L (vLoo jP xjlJ~plt~ Moscow 22 June 2007

J ~ L 1 ^ mdash -J - ~ ^

c pound m LEmbassy of the Republic of India - - f c (jL-f-fox J LMoscow L J J ( )

o f I f f

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ra q

NoS -^ V JS (E R S )0 7

I

9 hTIclt o agtA

P ^ gt r^ yV lt gt V gilaquo )laquo A ^ t Ministry o f External AffairsSouth Block New D elh i-110 011 M ail jsers m eagovin

J L ^ 7 7 0 A A t u - Phone 23017411

PhFax 2 3 0 1 9 2 2

j 3 gt kC ) h ^ Alt 5 ^ ^ M-V r Vw

T his is w ith reference to m y le tter no 11 J S (E R S)2007 d a ted April 20 2007 regard ing a req u e s t m ade u n d e r ldquoRight to in form ationrdquo (copy enclosed for ready reference) It is req u ested th a t th e R u ssian s id e rsquos resp o n se m ay kindly be in tim ated^atjan early da te ^ ^

rajj-vMaaS

Y ours sincerely

(Dr J Bhagwati

X ^h ri D ivyabh M an ch an d a D eputy C hief of M ission E m bassy of Ind ia Moscow

Copy to

AS(PP) JS(CNV)

(Dr J Bhagwati)

No 11 JS (E R S ) 2 0 0 7

Deari

Please refer to AS (PP) an d Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 M arch 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence betw een the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra B osersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E u rasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm w ith the R ussian side w hether they would have any objection to release of correspondence received from them on th is subject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos response m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

S d -(Dr J Bhagwati)

Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) A^(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

S

20 April 2007h

( Dr J Bhagwati )

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tel 7837535 Fax 9752337

NoSA8907 17 May 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 2YuA dated 8 January 1992 and subsequent correspondence (viz No 73YuA dated 27 October 1995 N 547 dated 20 March 1997 19073DA dated 20 March 2003 and 59542DA dated 6 October 2004) including a letter from Ambassador Yu Kutov regarding information about the reported stay of a former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

An Indian citizen had filed a petition under the Right to Information Act 2005 for obtaining all informationdocuments relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The information obtained from the Russian side was denied to the appellant at that time

^Thereupon an appeal was filed by the concerned citizen and currently the V Government of India is considering whether the informationdocuments

-t obtained from Russian authorities on the subject could be released toappellant Views of the Russian side whether the information provided by

( them could be released to the appellant would be essential for the^ f Government of India to take decision on the matter

The esteemed Ministryrsquos views on the matter may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the

s of its highest consideration

f V Ministry of Foreign AffairsL o f the Russian Federation

cr - A sia Department) ^V ^^(V io sco w

A V

Ministry o f External Affairs South Block N ew D elh i-110 011 Mail jsers m eagovinMail jsers m ea Phone 23017411

i]r

Phone 23017411 PhFax 23011922

S e c r e t

No H JS (E R S )2007

Dear L b ]

Please refer to AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence between the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra Bosersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E urasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm with the R ussian side w hether they would have

amp any objection to release of correspondence received from them on thissubject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos re~sponse m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

^Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) AS(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

( Dr J B hagw ati)

V

V No^5AS(PP)2007

Right to Inform atioi Timt

Most Im

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)rsquos Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Inform ation Act 2 005

Shri Anuj Dhar had initially requested this Ministry last year requesting form information on the following two points-

1 Certified copies of complete correspondence the MEA has had with the Governments o f the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

2 Confirmation on whether the Ministry had sought information from the erstwhile Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation by merely issuing Notes Verbale or some serious efforts were ever made at a higher (say Ministerial) level to uncover the mystery surrounding the fate of Netaji

filed an appeal with the CIC The appeal was considered by the CIC on 23 March 2007 The CIC has directed that the Ministry should have the documents under reference carefully examined by a panel of experts to determine whether the information sought by the applicant can be given or not

While we have not received the final decision of the Commission this would a time-bound exercise and it is therefore requested that JS(CNV) may please make the records available to me for a preliminary examination so that expeditious action can be taken on receipt of the formal decision of the CIC

The information was denied to Shri Dhar by this Ministry whereupon he

(AjAdditional Secretary (PP) fit

Appellate Authority (RTI) 28 March 2007

JS(CNV)

Copy forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with the request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me as soon as possible

o f iHC-ifl no 3 20 HOO bull rsquobull bullP

vrrwr 5fn tnrvtEMBASSY OF IN D IA

6-0 Ulitsa Obukha M O S C O W

Tel No 237-0820

t t v

Septe mb er 16 1991

The Embassy of I nd ia presents its compli me nt s to the Mi nistry of For ei gn Aff ai rs of the USSR and has the ho nour to enclose her ew it h a c o ll ect io n opound documents or NetSji S ub ha sh C h an d ra B o s e at one time a President of the Ind-ior N at io na l C o n g r e s s and a leading fig are in ths Indian freedom movement received from H r _ Ch it ts S s s u M em b er of P ar l ia m en t and Gene ra l Secretary All r d i a Forward Bloc a group founded by Meta ji Subhas-i X h 3 n d r a Fgt = $ e ord at present a c o n s t it ue n t of tne Left Front G o v e r n shyment in the Indian state of West Bengal

2 In these d o c u me n ts there are su ggestions quotingthe then Soviet A m b a s s a d o r in Kabul and the Soviet Vice Consu l in T e h er an to the effect that Netaji Subhash Chandra

itighr have found his way to the Soviet Union after the alleged ae ro p la n e cr as h in August 1 9 A 5 As recently as March 5 I990 The H i n d u s t a n Time an Indian daili n e w s p a p e r quoted a scholar of the Soviet Institute if Or ie nt al S t ud ie s to the effect t h a t there are t c S o v i e t sc ho la rs who have applied to tne Covernen-c of the US Sr for pe rm is si on to e xa min e cla ss if ie d documents

3- In the light of the current policy on Soviet nationala r ch i ve s the Embassy of India would appreciate if an rate- rial that sheds light on the fate of Netaji Subhush Chandra Dose in the a rch iv es of S ov ie t or ga nisations including s ec u r i t y o r g a ni s at io ns is made available to the Embassy of India

A The Ere bossy of India n vails itself of this opportunityto renew to the M i n s t r y of Foreign Affairs of the USSH the a s s u r a n c e s of its highest c on si deration

Seal

M i n i t r y of Foreign Af fa ir s Covernment of USSRM o s c o bullgt

E rc 1 a s a b o v e

if nI

(rough translation)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation

No ZAuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that according to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no information whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow8 January 1992

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

trrlter r_ EM B A S S Y OF INDIA6-8 Ulitsa Voiomsovo Polyo

N o S A 8 3 9 5 July 27 19SS

The Embassy of India presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to correspondence resting with their Note Verbaie No 2YuA of S January 15S2 regarding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Enclosed is a booklet which contends that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may have come to the former Soviet Union in 1945 There has teen further speculation in this context reportedly on the basis of archival materials In view of this it would be highly appreciated if ail materials available on the subject couid be examined for a final determination on whether or not Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose entered or stayed anywhere in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 or subsequently

The Embassy of India avails itself of tnis opportunity to renew to tne Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration - bull -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (South Asia Department) Moscow

v

(Unofficial T ransl

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

73YuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central Archival Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents^of Modern History no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to

renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 1995

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1995 Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years W e have now been informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory otthe former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador Kotov forwarding the note categorically asserts th a t we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soilrdquo and that extensive research can hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovrsquos letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

2 I would like you to please bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

(Pripuran Singh Haer)

0 M0 5 F f l I I 0 bull rsquo 1 ~ 6 C

Pripuran Singh Haer Charge dAffaires

MOSPOL125190

r o h o11 bull i bull r o j o o r i

trn s laquoPi j a r m rrcsl p - igt llsquo7EM B A S S Y OF INDIA

6-8 U l iu a Votomsovo PolyM O S C O W

Tel No S i 7-CS20 Tolex 413409 INDEMSU

Tgts Fa bullbull-9 3

October 31 19S5

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1SSS Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years We have now bee informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1595 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is nc

s informatcn whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory cf the formeSoviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador

ji Kotov forwarcing the note categorically asserts that we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soil and that extensive research can

1 hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovsbullvu letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

v jf2 1 wouid iike you to piesse bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

kt (Pripuran Singh Haer)

Shri R L Narayan Joint Secretary (EE) Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi

diams i iL Mr Ror on Sen Arnba ssador of Ind ia to th e R u s s i a n F e d e r a t i o n

D e a r R o n e n

E n c lo sed Y o u will find o u r no te c o n c e rn in g S u b h a sh C h a n d ra

Bose D o bel ieve th a t we have t r ied o u r best to discover any relevant

I actsU n f o r tu n a te ly I a m p ro fo u n d ly d is t ressed being u n a b le to provide

t any posi t ive in f o r m a t i o n on th e subject o f no t th e least im p o r t a n c e for

the In d ia n public Alas by now it a p p e a r s that we can be su re tha t Netnj has neve r set foot o n th e R u ss ia n soil Extensive re sea rch car r ied out

u p o n th e latest r eq u es t o f Y o u r s can h a rd ly leave any d oub ts to lhgt

effect

S in ce re ly Y ours Y a K o t o v

w

r lt W 3 lt tfr s t pound 2 3 i

Intervention by H EM rAnatoly MDrukov Ambassador of Russia in India during the

eress-conference on the 210296 in le Foreign Correspondentsrsquo Club__________

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is

deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people

who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73Y uA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

inform ation on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

m uch em otion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

j i

gt J -

i

Directorate of Foreign Relatilt Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

March 20 1997

N 547

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to you and has the honour to forward herewith the letter of Mr L Joychandra Singh addressed a second time to the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

In reply to this repeated query the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence (CAMD) of the Russian Federation has pointed out that there is no other data relating to the fate of Subhash Chandra Bose besides the information conveyed to you vide letter No1843 dated October 28 1996 (enclosing No222672 of the CAMD)

We request you to kindly inform Mr L Joychandra Singh of the above reply from the Archives

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Military Wing of the Embassy of India in Moscow the assurances of its highest consideration

Military Attache in the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation

Brig D Singh

No 19073DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federations presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassyrsquos note verbale No SA 1003 dated 8 January 2003 and the Ministryrsquos note verbale No 1423DA dated 28 June 2001 has the honour to inform you about the following

A search was conducted for documents related to the fate ofSCBose in the following federal archives

Russian State Military Archive (RGVA) Russian State Archives of Socio-Political History (RGASPI) State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) and Russian State Historical Archives of the Far East (RGIA DV) The information requested for was not found in the GARF RGVA and RGIA DV archives

Copies of the documents found in the RGIA DV Archives were sent to the Embassy in 2001

No information has been found about the fate of SC Bose in the Central Archives of the Russian FSB the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in the m anuscript section of the Russian State Library or in the Russian State Archives of Photographic Documents (RGAKFD)

We would also like to inform th a t the personnel archives of Eva Yakovlevna Lyusternik were sent after her death to the Russian Academy of Sciencesrsquo Institute of Oriental Studies and the open part of the archival m aterial on IV Stalin was sent from the archives of the President of the Russian Federation to RGASPI

The Ministry would like to use th is opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

M inistry of Foreign AtlairsR u ssian F ed eratio n

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Moscow 20th March 2003

^ M la iet ja Affaireo f the deration

No S 9 5 4 2 A A

The M inistry of Foreign Affairs of th e R ussian Federation p resen ts its com plim ents to the Em bassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and in continuation of Note No 55382XA dated Septem ber 14 2004 h as the honour to intorm th a t Information sought on the fate of Ind iarsquos p rom inent political figure Netaji S u b h ash C hand ra Bose was no t found in the C entral Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia

The M inistry avails of th is opportun ity to renew to the Em bassy the a ssu ra n ce s of its highest consideration

M oscow October 6 2004

E m bassy o f th e Republic o f India M oscow -

Ministry o f External Affairs CNV Division

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Information Act

Reference note at FR from AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) regarding CICrsquos directives on appeal by Shri Anuj Dhar who was denied information requested concerning disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his whereabouts in the former USSRRussia i f any

2 Vide letter o f 020806 at FA Shri Dhar had requested for (a) certified copies o f complete correspondence between MEA and the Government o f USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referring to Our Embassyrsquos intervention with the Russian MFA in 199219951997 2001 and 2003 and (b) whether MEA sought information from the Russian side in a routine manner through issue o f Note Verbales or some serious efforts were made at a higher level

3 Vide issue o f 250806 at FB CPIO on the basis o f inputs from CNV Division replied to Shri Dhar conveying that (a) requests to the Governments o f the USSRRussia were made through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels and (b) requisite copies o f the correspondence sought cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under provisions of Clause 8(l)(a)amp (f) o f the RTI Act Under Clause8(1)(a) there is noobligation to give any citizen information disclosure o f which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity o f India the security strategic scientific or economic interests o f the State relation with foreign State or lead to incitement o f an offence Under Clause 8(l)(f) there is no obligation to give ldquoinformation received in confidence from foreign governmentrdquo

4 Shri Dhar vide his letter o f 230906 at FC had appealed to then Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) on the ground that the reasons given by the CPIO denying him the information aslced for are untenable With regard to the intervention with the USSRRussian Government for information on Netajirsquos disappearance Shri Dhar seeks to know if this matter was pursued at a higher (say Ministerial) level Regarding Ministryrsquos resort to Clause 8(l)(a) Shri Dhar wrote that this is not intelligible to him as to how correspondence dealing with the disappearance o f a national hero can be threat to India or its relations with USSR which does not exist and has been disowned by the successor state o f the Russian Federation He has also questioned as to why information received in this matter o f national importance should be confidential In response to the appeal C lW Division has conveyed to JS (Inf) and CPIO vide its note dated 011106 at FD that (a) the information sought for by Shri Dhar ie whether serious efforts were made with interventions at higher levels with the Russian Government to seek information on Netajirsquos disappearance does not constitute ldquoinformationrdquo as defined in the RTI Act and the question is anecdotal in nature and (b) that copies o f correspondence cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under the relevant clauses in the RTI Act Though there is no evidence on this NGO file it is our understanding that these views were conveyed by the Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) to Shri Dhar Presumably what was meant was that Shri Dhar was seeking the opinion o f the MEA as to whether the efforts made by GOl in its interventions with the Russian Government were serious or just routinely taken up Since such lsquoopinionrsquo is not covered under Clause 1(0 hence it cannot be construed as lsquoinformationrsquo

6 The undersigned has gone through all available records in NGO Section pertaining to correspondence with the USSRRussian Governments seeking information on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose In particular attention is drawn to a note recorded in December 1998 at FE on linked file giving the chronological background to suchcorrespondence starting from May 1990 in the Note for Supplementaries prepared for Rajya Sabha Starred Question No 174 for answer on 101298 dealing with the Asiatic Societyrsquos request for access to Russian archives It may also be seen from the attached

A

Anticipated Questions and their Answersrsquo that Ministry was willing to disclose the contents o f the Note Verbale received from the Russian Government in response to IUdiaji demarches regarding information on Netaji on the floor o f the House There is no i available on NGO files to indicate if such information was in fact disclosed on the flooi o f the House when the PQ was answered However the point to note is Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose such information As per the last line under Clause 8 o f RTI Act ldquoinformation which cannot be denied to the Parliament or the State legislature shall not be denied to any personrdquo Therefore if such information has already been disclosed on the floor o f the House or even by virtue o f Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose we may no deny such information requested by Shri Anuj Dhar

7 Chronologically the correspondence copies available on file and linked files and sought by Shri Dhar are listed as under

(a) NV No Nil dated 160991 from EI Moscow to MFA USSR Government at FF on linked file

(b) NV No 2YuA dated 080192 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at -FGv -- bullbullbulllaquo mdash bullbull

(c) NV No SA8395 dated 270795 from EI M oscow to MFA Russian Government at FH on linked file

(d) NV No 73YuA dated 271095 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at FI

(e) DO letter from CDA EI Moscow enclosing Amb Kotovrsquos letter to Amb Ronen Sen at FJ on linked file

(f) Record o f intervention by Russian Ambassador to India at a press IK lrsquo ltonffirericebnrsquo2i0296 at FK on linked file

(g) NV No N547 dated 200397 from Russian Defence Ministry to EI Moscow at FL

(h) NV No 19073DA dated 200303 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow aft FM and

(k) NV No 59542DA dated 061004 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow 4 FN

8 A perusaldf the available correspondence shows the continuous effort made by the Ministry through the Embassy in Moscow to obtain information available i f any on Netajirsquos whereabouts in Russia It also shows that such effort was made at very high levels even through correspondence between the Indian Ambassador to Russia and his Russian counterpart One such correspondence is even addressed to a private Indian citizen in Manipur and the same has been passed on to him by our Embassy in Moscow There is no evidence to suggest that such correspondence was received in confidence an not to be disclosed However it would be beyond the competence o f CNV Division to make such a judgment merely on perusal ofthe filesrecords available in NGO SectionAS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) may like to consult Eurasia Division and Embassy o f India Moscow on whether disclosure o f such information under RTI woulc be detrimental to bilateral relations

J)(Debnath ShaiO

X At Wi bull JS (CNV)09 April 20f)7

AS fPP) amp Aeffellate Authority TRTI)

fet L 0 k f t t U a k k f c v J y -TI 4 i t i

cn v w et oA 2 4 JhV oW ei w ttC a

i CIC c h t tfcVe (jEuTA4-IAJ jrteaitcrj At-jKCdh-al tjyin cm Mm+cpL

I M i i ) J L j i t

j J 7

i

-r-

31

FAXTo AS(PP)

MEA New Delhi Fax 91-11-23013387

From First Secretary (Pol) Indembassy Moscow

Rpti) DS[Russia] MEA

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tele 007-495-9163544 Fax 007- 495-9163632

With reference to DS[Russia]rsquos message regarding AS[PP]rsquos note to JS[CNV] No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 9 April 2007 on an appeal filed under No RTI act 2005

2 Please find faxed herewith currently available few copies of this Missionrsquos correspondence with local authorities on the subject We will send more m aterial if available by the earliest diplomatic bag

U ) U v tcrv-4 j

(Dr Suresh Babu) FS [Pol]

13042007

A

- P O C C H H C K A fl A K M E M H H HAYK ^

H H C T H T Y T B O C T O K O B E ^ E H H J I

___________ JV2 ____________________

H a JVs_____________________________ T To 1Justice Mukherji

Commission o f Inquiry M irza Ghalib Street

Kolkata

Dear Sir

This is to inform you that as per your request we have checked the Private

Archive o f Prof EYaLustemic in the Indian Center o f the Institute of Oriental

Studies Russian Academy o f Sciences Moscow

We regret to inform you that there is no document on Subash Chandra Bose

With sincere regards

(Shaumian TLHead the Indian Center o f the Institute o f Oriental Studies

Russian Academy o f SciencesM oscow)

26092005

l0303l(Plttgt CHO 103753 (MeacflyHapoflHbiH) MocKBa T C n yji PoxcnecTBeHKa12 Ten (095)921-1884 (095)925-6461 Oaicc (095)975-2396 E-mail ivran orcru

In contrast to Indian National Congress Bose and his activists basically counted on armed struggle and open cooperation against enemies of England - Germany Italy and Japan Bose dreamed about freedom for India through crushing defeat of Britain Bose could not do it himself so he linked activity of his troops and groups with assault of Germany on India from the West and Japan from the East The aim of Bose was to expedite the assault in all possible ways and reinforce it from inside by subversive Anti-English activity in India and if possible to attached nature o f mass anti-British revolt However at that time not all people considered his activity as ldquosubversiverdquo Fascism was not so popular in India at that time but racism and violence were condemned everywhere A lot of Indians were satisfied with telling blows delivered hateful center o f empire by axis countries in particular against the background of British demonstrative nonshyrecognition of Indian rights for self-determination J Nehru wrote about this period How can we conciliate two basic directions of our policy - opposition to British imperialism and opposition to fascism and nazism How can we adjust our nationalism with our internationalism That was a difficult question for us taking in view current situation However this question would not be difficult if the British Government take a step to show us its refusal from imperialistic policy in India and rely on peoplersquos good willrdquo

But it did not happen Indian public reacted accordingly Describing the psychological atmosphere in the country that time Jawaharlal Nehru wrote ldquoPeople were pushing out not by patriotic feelings but by their willingness to save themselves from an offense and the worstrdquo

So S Bose did not have any mass support but he could use the mood of majority for his own purposes Nehru wrote about it the following ldquoProtection of the imperialism which we were fighting with for such a long time seemed to be non-sense and impossible to usrdquo

Unofficial translation

ldquoMatsottardquo is obtaining Soviet visa

Instructions were really complicated It was necessary to send Subhas Chandra Bose to Germany He was wanted by Britain secret service colonial Administration and local police throughout India Bose was staunch and irreconcilable adversary of Great Britain and may be the most dangerous one at that time

Extracts of the book whiten by Yuri L Kuznets ldquoMarauders are quitting the gamerdquo

Published in 1992 by ldquoInterprakstrdquo Moscow

Of course Bose made his main counting on the military defeat of England at the time when Hitlerrsquos Germany had been already at the war with it and Japan was still neutral So Bose was interested in Berlin When Japan occupied Burma and came close to the Indiarsquos borders Bose reoriented to the Far East

In spring 1941 his ways crossed with Bhagat Ram Bose decided to shift from India to Berlin because some of his friends and relatives were arrested in India and he by himself also was wanted He needed Hitlerrsquos support including financial one Ports we under police control and departure trough one of them was very risky Bose took another way and in February came to Kabul He was accompanied by Bhagat Ram who was not a member o f Bosersquos organization he did not like axis-members but he was posted as Bosersquos escort by his party ldquoKirti Kissanrdquo because o f his knowledge of Phushtun zone which they had to cross as well as Afghanistan and Kabul He also had his own flat in Kabul - the premises which belonged to Ultam Chang and his shop It was supposed that Ram was doing a favour to Bose only due to their common aim - to weak British positions in India at most

Ram fulfilled his task Bose settled down in Kabul and started to make arrangements for the next step of his journey During war time he could come to Germany only through the territory o f USSR For this purpose he required a passport which he did not have German Embassy applied to the Italian one Italians considered the German request positively Bose got passport in respect of Italian citizen Mazzotta Holding this passport Bose applied to the Soviet Embassy for transit visa crossed the USSR territory and came to Berlin

Mazzotta disappeared But German Consulate General drew attention to Bhagat Ram who was introduced as a powerful Indian activist in Afghanistan and India with anti-British orientation It was o f interest and he was suggested to work for the German Secret Service German resident was satisfied with Ramrsquos past his contacts and mood especially because he was concerned about difficulties o f the anti-British activities in India shortage of agents and information as well as conspiratorial bases in India Bosersquos recommendation also helped Ram was thinking it would be important for me and my party to establish contacts with enemies of their enemies

Offer on co-operation was accepted Ram left German Consulate having 100 000 Indian Rupees in his pocket 12 guns and ballets Money and arms were required by the people whom Ram would be recruiting in India Since May 1941 after the German finished their checking Ram had become the main agent o f the German Secret Service in India

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337 Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 9 4 0 5 September 9 2005

The Em bassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Em bassyrsquos earlier Note Verbales on the visit of a delegation of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 20-30 2005 in connection with enquiring into the facts and circum stances relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

It is confirmed th a t all logistical arrangem ents for official JMCI delegation and the accompanying eight deponents would be facilitated by the Embassy with no financial implications to the Russian side

It would be appreciated if the decision of the esteemed Ministry on visas for the visiting team may kindly be expedited

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

Copy to Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

No 5830 2DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Notes No SA16605 of 08 August No SA17405 of 18 August and No SA17905 and No SA18005 of 26 August this year has the honour to inform as follows

Justice Mukherjee as a Head of the Delegation set up by the Government of India to inquire about life of Subhas Chandra Bose pertaining to the period from 1945 onwards as well as the accompanying delegation will be given access to the documents kept in the Reading Halls o f the Federal and State Archives of the Subjects o f the Russian Federation in Moscow St Petersburg Irkutsk and Omsk through the Federal Archives Agency of the Russian Federation All expenditures related to the arrangements for their visit air-passage accommodation transport and medical insurance etc should be borne by the Indian side The Federal Archive Agency requests to inform Mr MK Mukherjee of the addresses of Federal Archives given below

1 Russian State Archive for social and political history - 103 821 Moscow 15 B Dmitrovka Str Director - Kiril M Anderson Tel 229 97 26

2 Russian State Archive of Audio- Photo Documents - 143 400 Moscow Region Krasnogorsk 1 Rechnaya Str Director - Lyudmila P Zapryagaeva Tel 562 14 64 563 08 45

3 Russian State Archive for Phono Documents 105 005 Moscow3 2ya Baumanskaya Str Director - Vladimir A Kolyada Tel 261 13 00

4 Russian State Naval Archive - 191 186 St Perersburg 36 Millionnaya Str Director - Vladimir S Sobolev Tel (812)312 11 37

The Federal Archives Agency recommends the following for work with the documents o f

- Central State Archive of St Petersburg - to apply to St Petersburg Archives Committee (193 015 St Petersburg 39 Tavricheskaya Str) Chairman of the Committee - Mr Anatoly D Yashkov Tel (812) 271 44 55)

- State Archive of Omsk Region - to apply to the Archive Department of the Ministry for State and Legal Development o f Omsk Region Head - Ms Galina Yu Borodina (644 099 Omsk 1 Tretyakova Str) Tel (381-2) 25 57 26

- State Archive of Irkutsk Region - to apply to Archive Department of Irkutsk Region Head - Ms Nadezhda K Shestakova (664003 Irkutsk 36a Gorkogo Str) Tel (395-2) 24 06 42

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow ldquo 15 ldquo September 2005

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA Moscow

slvNon-paper

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PoccHHCKan CTopoHa HeoflHOKpaTHO no^TBepMCflaJia CBoe corjiacne Ha t o

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P o c c h h Ndeg 2 5 5 7 2 amp A o t 1 8 0 7 2 0 0 5 r )

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P o c c h h c k o h O e jep a n H H (3aKOH 06 apxHBHOM fle jie o t 2 0 0 4 r ) p a 6oTa c

HepacceKpeHeHHbiM H jjoKyMeHTaMH pa3pemeHa j i h h i l c i p o r o o n p e^ e jieH H o n

K aTeropH H jihh 6e3 b c h k h x HCKjiioneHHH 3 t o K acaeT ca He to j ib k o

npe^cT aB H T eneH f lp y r a x ro c y n a p c T B h o h rp aac^ aH P o c c h h c k o h O e ^ e p a ip iH

H c x o ^ h H3 flpyacecTBeHHoro xapaKTepa p o c c h h c k o - h h a h h c k h x OTHOineHHH

H npHHHMafl BO BHHMaHHe 3HaHHMOCTb 3TOH TeMBI RJIX HHflHHCKOH CTOpOHbl

poccHftcKHe KOMneTeHTHBie opraHbi npoBenH H C H epnbm aiom H e H3bicKaHHfl

apxHBHBix M aTepH anoB 3a nepH O ^ c 4 0 -x qo cep e^ H H b i 5 0 - x i t b pe3yjibT aT e

KOTOpbix 6bm BbWBJieH p a fl AOKyMeHTOB b KOTopbix ynoMHHajiocb h m s C H E o ca

Bee o h h b KonHH nepe^aHbi h h ^ h h c k o h CTopoHe (b H a crao c T H HaHjeHHbiH b

2004 r b apxHBax OCE 46-th CTpaHHHHbiH OKyMeHT)

B 3aK pbiTbix apxH BH bix (J)OHflax HaxoA5imHxcfl Ha TeppHTOpHH P o cchh ck o h

O e^epaHH H KaKHX-jinSo CBe^eHHH 0 CHEoce He o6HapygtKeHo

9

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow___ Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337

Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 8 0 0 5 August 26 2005

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Embassyrsquos earlier communications regarding the visit of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 18-30 2005

By way of background information given below are the relevant details of JMCI -

(i) The Government o f India Ministry o f Home Affairs New Delhi vide a gazette notification No S 0339(B) dated 14th May 1999 appointed Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry for Inquiry into the Alleged Disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under Section (3) o f the Commission o f Inquiry Act o f 1952 (60 o f 1952)

(ii) As per this notification Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry shall inquire into all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945 and subsequent developments connected therewith including-(a) whether Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is dead or alive(b) I f he is dead whether he died in the plane crash as alleged(c) Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are the ashes o f Netaji(d) Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and if

so when and how(e) I f he is alive in respect o f his whereabouts

(iii) The Commission shall also examine the manner in which the exercise o f Scrutiny o f Publications touching upon the question o f death or otherwise on Netaji can be undertaken by the Central Government in the circumstances

(iv) Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry is funded by the Ministry o f Home Affairs Government o f India and is an official Commission

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

Copy to M inistry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV t J 001

A MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS (PP) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of material immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

Deputy Secretary (Russia) Ph 23015199 Intercom 2285

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

Dr T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

T c J i h irvMUt(SOMNATH GHOSH)

Deputy Secretary Ministry of External Affairs

New Deifci

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 1^1002

( t

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No R T I-2 pound _ A S (P P )2 0 0 7

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance_of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anufpfiar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) 6t

Appellate Authority (RTI) 09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

g^py forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - H W U(Ajal Choudhfy)

1 o 7

0 v

j N lsquoaA gt ^ 1 ^

04 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV

MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS-iEP-) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of matenal immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

D tpu ij u su ta i J iu J o ia JPh 23015199 Intercom 228S

D r T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

h i 7-

_100pound 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 002

Most Immediate

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No RTI-HiLAS(PP) 2007

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed bv Shri Anul Dhar under RTI 200S - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anurbhar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC ------ = = = = mdash

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) amp

Appellate Authority (RTI)09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

JZopy forwarded to JS(Eurasla) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - t t U X f (Ajal ChoudMfy)

k

Buff 43402

Square C u t Raider A4 434Made in London

Blue 43403 Green 43404 Grey 43405 Orange 43406 Pink 43407 Red 43408 Yellow 43409 Mauve 43414

Page 17: V ' . . . Disci* wi/K 0*s*/ - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ...

In fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r

gt O P KEJARIWAL fe laquoft-110067 B lo ck-IV 5 th F lo o r O ld JN U C a m p u s

N e w D e lh i-1 1 0 0 6 7 T ele fax 26717351

C entra In fo rm a t io n C o m m is s io n

November 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T I5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian Governm ent for disclosure of the N eta ji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar We have now received a le tte r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N eta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portan t from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere ind iv idualrsquos in terest He suggests and reuests therefore that this m ateria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India from abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m a tte r t h erefore is pursued w ith the I Russian G overnm ent so th a t w hatever m ateriah s o f va lue a nd in te rest to India m ay com e to us especially in the present case

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) Ministry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

Yours sincerely

(OP Kejariw al)

To 26 November 2007

Dr OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner Central Information Commission Old JNU Campus New Delhi - 110067

Subject R eq u est to Ind ian Errbassy to procure p ost-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian arch ives

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter NoR TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2007 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision N oC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made v this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the

Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Embassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

i

2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing ruies or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at times provide information A request from the Embassy of India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

^ would not yvant this exercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant records are identified the Embassy may procure them for the National Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India

since they are likely to provide a never befc 3 insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world w a r for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n L ____2 63 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mayzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez iden ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)[A rch ive o f the P res id en t o f the R uss ian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lsk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606-13-33 Fax (495 ) 606 -19 -66

2 Is to riko-dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del R F (ID D M ID) [H is torico-D ocum enta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in is try o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o lenska ia -S enna ia p loshchad 3234 Tel (495) 244-32-19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i po litik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (A V P RF)[A rch ive o f Fore ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241-04-80

4 Tsen tra lrsquonyi a rkh iv M in is te rs tva o bo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f D e fense]142100 M oskovskaia ob las t P odo lrsquosk ul K irova 74 Tel (495) 715-90-05 (0967) 54-00-03

5 G lavno je R azvedyva te lno je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilitary In te lligence D irecto ra te arch ives Address not know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 TsentraPnyi a rkh iv Federa lno i s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (TsA FSB R ossjj)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F edera l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzhby vneshne i razvedki RF (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)[O perational A rch ive o f the Fore ign In te lligence S erv ice ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 5110Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 245 -33 -68 Fax (495) 247-05-29

8 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (TsA M VD R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In te rna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovocherem ushk inska ia 67 (Archive) ul Zoi i A leksa nd ra K osm odem iansk ikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-90

2

o o ^ y - q ^ - s z n ^ h

A deg U lt 6 S (3 2 -

gt

bull - - - bull bull

i - r

-0

F a x M e s s a g e P n o m

7 Jan 2008 1626

NameFax Number

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C

L i

DIRlt ERS)MEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1626 P0105

M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Te l 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u srs m eag o v in

WI(AJD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u FS (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P le as e find a ttached a self-explanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f S ubhash C hand ra Bose under the RT Act for kind necessary action a t your end

lahul S h rivastava) U n d e rs e c re ta ry 7 J a n u a ry 2 0 0 8

DIR(ERS gtMEflRNQ235C 7 Jan 2008 16=26 P020b

No RTI5517606 Ministry of External Affairs

( RTX Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquo s note W I (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser o f complete correspondence

with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash | Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content o f the note was conveyed to the Information j Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant bull The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government o f j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russiani Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the Nationali bull

W e have received a communication to this effect from the CIC

i s J

Achieve o f India

which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(A K Nag) JS (W ei amp Inf) amp CPIO1

December 18 2007

DIR( ERS gtMEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1627 P 0305

gt O P KEJARIWALSTTJprf

-MiX TR 4 58 cfcr TPTT

fcc=6ft11 0 0 6 7 Biock-lV 5th Floor Oki JNU Campus

I n fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r New Delhi-110067 Telefax 26717351

Centra Information Commission

Novem ber 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T 5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian G overnm ent fo r disclosure of the N etaji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar W e have now received a le t te r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N e ta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portant from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere individuals in terest He suggests and reuests th ere fo re that this m a te ria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India f rom abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m atte r therefore is pursued w ith the Russian Governm ent so th a t w hatever m ateria l is of va lue and interest to India may come toTis especially in the present case

Yours sincerely

(O P Kejariw al)

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) M inistry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C 7 Jan 2008 16 = 2 P 0405

02 6 N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 7

Dr OP Kejariwal information Com missioner Central Information Commission

+ Old JNU Campus N ew Delhi - 110067

Subject R e q u e s t to Ind ian Em bassy to procure post-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian a rc h ive s

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter N o R TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2 0 07 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTi Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision NoC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

lt think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Em bassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

4 2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing rules or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at tim es provide information A request from the Embassy o f India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

I would not w ant this e xercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant fcS ords s re identified the Em bassym ay procure them fo rtheN atTonal Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India since they are likely to provide a never befc s insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

1

DIR ( ERS) ME ARN0235C7 Jan 2008 16=27

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world war for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n t 2 6 3 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mazzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez idsn ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)Archive o f th e P re s id e n t o f the R ussian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lrsquosk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606 -13 -33 Fax (495) 606-19-66

2 Is to riko -dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del RF (ID D M ID) [H is to rico -D ocum en ta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in istry o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o ie nska ia -S en n a ia p loshchad rsquo 3234 Tel (495) 244 -32 -19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i p o lit ik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (AVP RF)[A rch ive o f Fo re ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241 -04 -80

4 Tsen tra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva obo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f th e M in is try o f D e fense] - bull -142100 M oskovska ia o b la s t P odo lsk ul K irova74 Tel (495 )715-90-05 (0 9 6 7 )5 4 -0 0 -0 3

5 G lavno je R a zve dyva te ln o je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilita ry In te lligence D irectora te a rch ives A ddress no t know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv FederaPnoi s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (T sA FS B R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F e de ra l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzh by vneshne i razvedki R F (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)(O perational A rch ive o f the F o re ign In te lligence Service ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 51 10Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 2 4 5 -33 -6 8 Fax (495) 247-05-29

Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (T sA M VD R ossii)[Central A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In terna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovoche rem ushk inska la 67 (Archive) ul Z o i i A le ksa n d ra K osm odem ianskikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-30

ffs

amp-3gt) i c y v

Embassy of India Moscow(Political Wing) f t

r r v ^Subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with USSRRussia over the

disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 reg

Reference remarks made by the Ambassador on FR a letter from JS (Wei ampInf) addressed to Shri OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner copy endorsed to Min (Pol) on the above subject

Back ground of the case On receipt o f a copy o f AS (PP )rsquo s Note No RTI- 36AS(PP)07 dated 942007 on the above subject Mission vide fax dated 130407 forwarded few copies o f Missionrsquos correspondence with the local authorities on the subject to AS(PP) -------- At F A

Subsequently on receipt o f JS(ERS)rsquo s letter No 1 lJS(ERS)2007 dated 20407 enclosed with A S (PP )rsquo s Note No 30AS(PP)07 amp JS(CNV)rsquo s Note along with copies o f correspondence available in CNV Division on the subject Mission has sent a Note Verbale No SA8907 dated 1752007 to Russian Foreign Ministry requesting for the views o f the Russian side whether the information provided by them could be released to the appellant -------At FB

Documents provided by Russian side and forwarded to the Commission

(i) Documents initially provided by the Russian side attached with Note Verbale No1423 DA dated 28h June 2001 which was forwarded to the Ministry on August

31 2001 may please be seen a t-----FC in the linked file

(ii ) On the basis of an affidavit submitted to the Justice Mukherjee Commission a Note Verbale No SA25904 dated December 22 2004 was sent to the M FA and reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 13142 DA dated 4 March 2005 enclosed with a copy of letter from Mr V Sayadyants to the Soviet Ambassador to Iran Mr IV Sadchikov regarding the political situation in India in 1946 may please be seen a t--------FD in the linked file

Response of the Russian side

( i) A reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 42952 DA dated 2262007 stating therein that ldquo the documents from Russian Archives handed over in June 2001 were for official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up by it for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo This was conveyed to the Ministry vide letter No MOSPOL125190 dated 472007 --------At FE

P2

2

Again on receipt o f a copy o f the decision o f Central Information Commission vide No RTI5517606 dated 22082007 (At FF) Mission took up the matter with M FA vide Note Verbale No SA17307 dated 1892007 for which a reply was received vide No 42952DA dated 11007 reiterating their view that the documents from RussianArchives were submitted exclusively for official use by the GOI including Thiswas conveyed to the Ministry vide E-gram dated 10102007-----At FG

Submitted as desired by Min (Pol) please

2

f^TT FTRTTM IN ISTR Y O F E X TE R N A L A F FA IR S

NEW D ELH I

Dated 2nd November 2007 I gt gt v

gt ldquo $

NoRTI551762006

Shri OP KejariwalInformation Commissioner Central Information Commission Club Building Old JNU Campus New Delhi-110 067 bull

Subject- Disclosure o f complete correspondenc e with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RT[ Act 2005

SirAs per directives o f the Honrsquoble Central Information

Commission contained in Para 13 o f the decisioNoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi seeking certified copies o f the complete correspondence this Ministry had with the Governments of the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

9 ^ 2 Our Embassy in Moscow again approached the Government of Russian Federation to get their consent to the disclosure o f documents under reference but the Government of Russian Federation reiterated that documents were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government o f India for investigation o f Netajee Subhash Chandra Bose disappearance

3 However they state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note o f the Embassy can approach the authorities o f the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy o f India for permission to get to know the M aterials deposited in Federal and State Archives o f the Russian Federation

OV-

g ji)

j d L

Yours faithfully

(AK Nag) Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer

_ f

- i V lt L

Copy for information forwarded to-

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110 018

2 Director(ERS) Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi with reference to his Note NoW l(AD)5511007 dated 25102007

Minister (Pol) Embassy o f India Moscow

Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp Central Public Information Officer

N o W l(A D ) 5 5 1 1 0 0 7 M inistry o f External A ffa irs

(ERS D ivision)

W ith re ference your N ote No R T I5 5 1 7 6 0 6 dated 2 2 8 2 0 0 7 to JS (E R S ) regarding d isclosure o f com plete correspondence w ith the USSRRussia o v e r th e d is a p p e a ra n c e o N e ta ji S u b h a s h C h a n d ra B o s g u n d e r R T I A c t 2005 p lease find enclosed th e unofficial translation o f th e note verb ale dated 1 0 c to b e r rsquo0 7 sent by R ussian M inistry o f Foreign Affairs in reply to the note verbale sent by our E m bassy in M o scow on the subject

(A rya S an d e e p ) D irector (E R S )

2 5 O ctob er 2 0 0 7

JS (W ei amp Inf ampCentral Public In form ation O fficer

v C op y to M in ister (Pol) E m bassy o f India M oscow

U n o ffic ia l T ra n s la tio n

Quote

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highest consideration

Moscow 01st October 2007

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

For official use only

E-GRAM

NoMOSPOL 125 190 laquo y October 10 2007

From To

Indembassy Moscow Foreign New Delhi

AStERS) from Minister (Poll

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

Q u o teUnofficial translation

Moscow 01st October 2007

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

sd-(Dr Subhakanta Behera)

Minister (Political)

a I JH

NICEMAIL r^T^X Page 1 o f 1

y

Current Folder SentMaill y II

I - Compose rsquo^ Addresses ^ Folders EOptions gt Search ^ H e lp sij^Fetch ^ss^Calen

Message List | Delete | Edit Previous I Next Forward I Forward as Attachment | Reply | Reply A ll Message as N ew ------------1 ----------- 1-------------------------------- 1 ldquo r J 1

Subject Message from EI MoscowFrom dcmmoscowmeagovinDate Wed October 10 2007 110 pm

To jsersmeagovinPriority NormalOptions V iew Full Header | V iew Printable V ersion | Add to Addressbook

Attachments

untitled -[l] Ok [texthtm l] download | view

MQS10100716dth 175 k [ applicationoctet-stream ] download

10)0o

NoMOSpOL125190 October 10 2007

From Indernbassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

AS(BRS) from Minister (Pol)

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

Q u o teUnofficial translation

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of

September 20o7 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22laquod of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

For official use only

1

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

Moscow 01st October 2007

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Minister (Political)

No64682DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and

the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 da ted the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

In add ition to the Note o f the M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion No 429 5 2D A dated the 22 nd o f June 2007 in form tha t docum ents from R ussian a rch ives w ere subm itted e xc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the

the Com m issionAfor investiga tion o f N eta jee S ubhas C handra B ose d isappea rance d e ta iis ^s ta b lis h e d by the G ove rnm en t o f IndiaD

p TU-Indian c itizen m en tioned in the Note o f the E m bassy has ^ f fg h t th rough the E m b a s sy tfo request and to fee- get to k n o w ^ a te r ia ls depos ited in Federa l and S ta te A rch ives o f the R ussian F ede ra tion w ith the perm iss ion o f its authorities

The M in is try ava ils th is opportun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest conside ra tion

M oscow 01st O ctober 2007

A ppend ix N ote N o4295 2D A

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

ampJk i A

lAK i

M

bull J U h J t ^ J JLflJ L (L S U s ^ S u (jrcopywO ^ (V|Pj iVv ^ |0]laquo f 1 r i r I - r r J I - 1Olgt-^ |1 CJ |ltg fkiiXn

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o 1

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Nlti 4 2 9 5 2 M

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No42952DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and quo ting the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 dated the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

D ocum ents from R ussian a rch ives m entioned in the N ote o f the E m bassy w ere subm itted in particu lar in June 2001 exc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the use by the C om m iss ion fo r inves tiga tion o f N e ta jee S ubhas C handra Bose d isappea rance deta ils estab lished by the G ove rnm en t o f India

W e a lso in form tha t the access to Federa l and S ta te A rch ive s o f the R ussian Federa tion is a llow ed w ith the perm iss ion o f Federa l a rch ives A g en cy (R osarch ives) the read ing in read ing room s o f concre te a rch ives w ith th e perm ission o f a rch ives s truc tu res au tho rities o f co rrespond ing bod ies on the basis o f appea l o f E m bassies sc ien tific research ins titu tes and pub lic o rgan iza tions

The M in is try ava ils th is oppo rtun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest considera tion

M oscow 02nd June 2007

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

MHHHCTepcTBO PiHocTpaHHbix 0eji Pocchhckoh

O e^epaiiiHH CBHfleTeJibCTByeT CBoe yBaKenne riocojibCTBy

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No SA8907 ot 17 Mah 2007 rofla HMeeT qecrb coo6ihhtigt

cjreiyiomee

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NoSA17307

gt v

TRcT ltTv5f rram TTWTEMBASSY OF INDIA

MOSCOWriOCOIbCTBO HhaMM

MocKBa

18 September 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure of entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

J rThe Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent

vdeg a u th o r ity (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sidersquos view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set

^ up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji V A Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not

^ disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if suchaterial could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry it

could be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissionrsquos work is over Thecompetent authority is of the opinion that the material in question could be disclosed

W ^ deg the Appellant They further advised the Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi to formal clearance for the disclosure of the entire material on the above subject

J ^ ^ ^ f r o r y ^ e ^ i l i s s i a n side

- esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure of the above material maylease be communicated to this Mission at an early date

-

f

mbassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to tfte ^ in ijP r^W f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ^ of the Russian F e d e r ^ J ^(2nd Asia Department) 4 - 1 ^ gt i Csy~~~ aM o s c o w 1

6-8 yn BopoHUOBO rioie 131940 r MocKBa

Ten 007-095-783-75-35 007-095-783-75-34

wwwindianembassyru

tjgt2 t 007-095-916-36- 3 2 007-095-975-23-37

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR

JS(WelampInf) amp Central Public Information Officer has forwarded u s the CIC decision with request to initiate action in accordance with p a ra -13 th e Information Commission is all for disclosure of the material The CIC does not see any reason why the m aterial should not be disclosed now to any researcher since the Justice Mukherjee Commissionrsquos work is over Accordingly it has advised the Ministry of External Affairs to seek the formal clearance from the Russian authorities in the m atter

2 DCMrsquos last comm unication with JS(ERS) was made on 4th July 2007 DCM had forwarded the translation of the note verbale received from the Russian Foreign Office

3 In the light of above we may again send a note verbale to the Foreign Office in accordance with p a ra -13 of the CIC decision

Subm itted please

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

Sept 13 2007

NoSA17307 $ September 2007

The Embassy o f India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure o f entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

The Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent authority (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sides view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if such material could be made available to the Justice Mukheerjee Commission for inquiry they see no reason why-thisO material should iw k be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissions work is over The competent authority is of the ifem opinion that the material in question should be disclosed to the Appellant They further advised the Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi to obtain formal clearance for the disclosure o f the entire material on the above subject from the Russian side

The esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure o f the above material may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2nd Asia Department) Moscow

No R TI5517606 Ministry o f External Affairs

(RTI Division)

Subject - Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

Please find enclosed herewith Central Information Com m issionrsquos decision NoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar o f New Delhi

2 It is requested that necessary action may please be initiated in accordance with para-13 o f the CIC decision

EnclAs above

JS (Eiirasia)

(AiC Nag) Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer22-08-2007

mdash o j^ VxkxraquoA

OJLgt ^

J amp u - cVjl_JL bull

X k ~ Ajo-vyWpound

(XaA

- e j

(e-US)

V mdash j ^ bull

S c

X H bull ( 0 r h

gf if raquofn2(gt0Dy N o pound 3 amp RTI D1V200gt

Central Information Commission ilaquoWDlaquoted4i^USd|ampL~

sect $ I| | i yyNoCICOKA200600671

Dated 10 August 2007

Name of the Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar263 Kangra NiketanVikaspuri New Delhi - 110 018

Name of the Public Authority Ministry of External Affairs

Background

Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi filed an application with the PIO Ministry of

External Affairs on 2 August 2006 for seeking certified copies of the complete

correspondence the Ministry of External Affairs had with the Governments of

the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash

Chandra Bose

2 The PIO vide his letter dated 25 August 2006 informed the Appellant that

the request to the Government of USSR and the Russian Federation were made

through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels The PiO also stated that the

requisite copies of the correspondence could not be disclosed at it involves the

relations with a foreign State and so was exempt from disclosure as per the

provisions of Clause 8(1 )(a)amp(f) of the RTI Act

3 Dissatisfied with the reply of the PIO the Appellant filed an appeal with

the first Appellate Authority on 23 September 2006 who vide his letter dated 6

November 2006 again denied disclosure of the documents taking recourse to the

Section 8(1 )(a) and (i) The bench of Dr OP Kejariwal Information

mmissioner heard the matter on 23 March 2007

4 The main stand of the Respondents to the information sought by the

Appellant which is regarding the correspondence between India and the

Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia was that this

information could not be disclosed as it was likely to affect the countryrsquos

relationship with another State On making enquiries from the Respondents it

was clear that this correspondence had neither been seen nor been examined

by an expert to come to such a conclusion Therefore the Commission felt

that the Applicantrsquos application had been treated casually

5 The Commission then directed the Respondents to first have this

correspondence examined by their own experts and if need be by an outside

expert who they could rely on and then take a firm decision In case the

experts came to the conclusion that the applicability of the denial clause was

not relevant in the case the material could be disclosed to the Appellant

However in case the Respondents came to the conclusion that the relations

between the Governments of india and Russia would be affected through the

disclosure of this information the Commission would like the issue to be

settled only after a reference had been made to the Government of Russia

6 The matter was taken up for a second hearing by the bench of Dr OP

Kejariwal Information Commissioner on 10 August 2007

7 Shri AK Naag Joint Secretary (Inf amp Wei) amp CPIO and Shri Nand

Kishore Under Secretary (RTI) represented the Respondents

8 The Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar was present in person

Decision

9 The Commission heard both the sides During the hearing the

Respondents stated before the Commission that they had received a response

from the Government of the Russian Federation Moscow in pursuance of the

Commissionrsquos earlier Order in the matter dated 23 March 2007

10 This letter stated ldquoaccording to the correspondence received from the

Embassy of India Moscow the Russian Foreign Office has stated that the

documents handed over by them in June 2001 were meant only for the GOIrsquos

official use and for the work of the Commission in investigations into the

disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo

11 During the hearing the Appellant stated that his request included the

entire correspondence between the Governments of India and the USSR

regarding nf NPtajirsquos disappearance The Commission accepted this

request and directed the Respondents to clearly mention this while seeking the

approval of the Russian authorities for disclosure of this material

12 Also during the hearing the Appellant made a plea for a copy of the

letter received by the Ministry of External Affairs resulting from the application

that he had made on the issue The Commission saw no objection in this

request and directs the Respondents to supply a copy of this letter to the

Appellant

13 The Commission further feels that if the material could be made

available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the

disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be

disclosed now to any Researcher now that that Commissionrsquos work is over The

information Commission therefore is all for disclosure of this material to the

Appellant However it advises the Ministry of External Affairs to seek a formal------ ------ - _ ____________ ___

clearance from the Russian Authorities in the matter

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110018

Shri AK Nag Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) a Central Public Information Officer Room No 207 Akbar Bhawan Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110021

3 Shri Ajay Choudhary Additional Secretary amp Appellate Authority Room No 144 C South Block Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110011

4 Officer Incharge NSC

5 Press E Group CIC

(OP Kejariwal) Information Commissioner

Cc

The Statesman

Search

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17 August 2007

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01

[ India ]-

Netaji filesrsquo disclosure ordered

New Delhi Aug 16 The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the external affairs ministry to disclose its correspondence with the erstwhile USSR over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra BoseldquoThe Commission feels that if the material could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be disclosed to any researcher nowrdquo information commissioner Mr OP Kejariwal saidThe Commission made this observation while hearing Mission Netajirsquos plea for certified copies of the complete correspondence between India and the USSR over Netajirsquos disappearance in 1945 The CIC in its decision relied on a letter from officials in Moscow that said the documents which were handed over to India were meant for ldquoofficial use and for the work o f the Mukherjee Commission n PTI

Discussion on this Ind ia itemDisclaimer These are Internet generated discussion threads for which the The Statesman has no responsibilityNo discussions on this item

t o P os

Login

Usernar

Passwo

New

9 fM raquo f -

m m m m

O ther India

Cabinet nod to new farm scheme

Q case CBI m ay cancel notice

Thaw in Left-UPA ties

Keshubhai joins rebels

http wwwthestatesmannetpagenewsphpclid=2amptheme=ampusrsess=lampid=l 66383 8172007

N o f j j M j l J X K

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raquo

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR and noting of FS(Pol) thereon

2 It seems the Russian Foreign Office does not want to add anything beyond what they have already pu t in the note verbale of Ju n e 22 2007 However if the said note verbale is read together with the bilateral Agreement of 2000 it becomes clear th a t there is no bar oft supplying confidential information to persons asking for the sam e According to Article 3b ot the Agreement decisions to hand over particular classified information shall be taken by the Parties on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the laws of their States

3 Moreover as a scrutiny of the correspondences between the SovietRussian and Indian sides shows they do not contain any sensitive information All the correspondences convey the result of the search in the Russian Archives Perhaps tha t is why JS(CNV) was inclined to suggest the disclosure of the correspondences

4 Given my positive view on the m atter for disclosure of the correspondences I would however like to propose tha t the Ministry may be sent a copy of the note verbale received from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to take into cognizance of the Agreement of 2000 before taking any final decision on the m atter If needed LampT Division in the Ministry may also be consulted

Subm itted please

(r

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

July 3 2007

No 42952DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation and in reference to the Note SA8907 dated 17th May 2007 has honour to inform the following -

The documents from Russian archives referred to in the Embassyrsquos note in particular handed over in June 2001 for official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set up by it for the investigation of circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

cm)

a

W e further inform that the access to materials belong to federal and state archives of the Russian Federation is given with the consent of Federal Agency of Achieves (Rosarchiv) and permission to work in reading halls of agency archives is given by authorities of archives belong to concerned agencies on direct requests by embassies scientific amp research institutions and social organizations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation assurances of its highest consideration

^ ft o j L (vLoo jP xjlJ~plt~ Moscow 22 June 2007

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NoS -^ V JS (E R S )0 7

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P ^ gt r^ yV lt gt V gilaquo )laquo A ^ t Ministry o f External AffairsSouth Block New D elh i-110 011 M ail jsers m eagovin

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PhFax 2 3 0 1 9 2 2

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T his is w ith reference to m y le tter no 11 J S (E R S)2007 d a ted April 20 2007 regard ing a req u e s t m ade u n d e r ldquoRight to in form ationrdquo (copy enclosed for ready reference) It is req u ested th a t th e R u ssian s id e rsquos resp o n se m ay kindly be in tim ated^atjan early da te ^ ^

rajj-vMaaS

Y ours sincerely

(Dr J Bhagwati

X ^h ri D ivyabh M an ch an d a D eputy C hief of M ission E m bassy of Ind ia Moscow

Copy to

AS(PP) JS(CNV)

(Dr J Bhagwati)

No 11 JS (E R S ) 2 0 0 7

Deari

Please refer to AS (PP) an d Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 M arch 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence betw een the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra B osersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E u rasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm w ith the R ussian side w hether they would have any objection to release of correspondence received from them on th is subject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos response m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

S d -(Dr J Bhagwati)

Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) A^(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

S

20 April 2007h

( Dr J Bhagwati )

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tel 7837535 Fax 9752337

NoSA8907 17 May 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 2YuA dated 8 January 1992 and subsequent correspondence (viz No 73YuA dated 27 October 1995 N 547 dated 20 March 1997 19073DA dated 20 March 2003 and 59542DA dated 6 October 2004) including a letter from Ambassador Yu Kutov regarding information about the reported stay of a former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

An Indian citizen had filed a petition under the Right to Information Act 2005 for obtaining all informationdocuments relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The information obtained from the Russian side was denied to the appellant at that time

^Thereupon an appeal was filed by the concerned citizen and currently the V Government of India is considering whether the informationdocuments

-t obtained from Russian authorities on the subject could be released toappellant Views of the Russian side whether the information provided by

( them could be released to the appellant would be essential for the^ f Government of India to take decision on the matter

The esteemed Ministryrsquos views on the matter may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the

s of its highest consideration

f V Ministry of Foreign AffairsL o f the Russian Federation

cr - A sia Department) ^V ^^(V io sco w

A V

Ministry o f External Affairs South Block N ew D elh i-110 011 Mail jsers m eagovinMail jsers m ea Phone 23017411

i]r

Phone 23017411 PhFax 23011922

S e c r e t

No H JS (E R S )2007

Dear L b ]

Please refer to AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence between the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra Bosersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E urasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm with the R ussian side w hether they would have

amp any objection to release of correspondence received from them on thissubject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos re~sponse m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

^Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) AS(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

( Dr J B hagw ati)

V

V No^5AS(PP)2007

Right to Inform atioi Timt

Most Im

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)rsquos Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Inform ation Act 2 005

Shri Anuj Dhar had initially requested this Ministry last year requesting form information on the following two points-

1 Certified copies of complete correspondence the MEA has had with the Governments o f the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

2 Confirmation on whether the Ministry had sought information from the erstwhile Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation by merely issuing Notes Verbale or some serious efforts were ever made at a higher (say Ministerial) level to uncover the mystery surrounding the fate of Netaji

filed an appeal with the CIC The appeal was considered by the CIC on 23 March 2007 The CIC has directed that the Ministry should have the documents under reference carefully examined by a panel of experts to determine whether the information sought by the applicant can be given or not

While we have not received the final decision of the Commission this would a time-bound exercise and it is therefore requested that JS(CNV) may please make the records available to me for a preliminary examination so that expeditious action can be taken on receipt of the formal decision of the CIC

The information was denied to Shri Dhar by this Ministry whereupon he

(AjAdditional Secretary (PP) fit

Appellate Authority (RTI) 28 March 2007

JS(CNV)

Copy forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with the request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me as soon as possible

o f iHC-ifl no 3 20 HOO bull rsquobull bullP

vrrwr 5fn tnrvtEMBASSY OF IN D IA

6-0 Ulitsa Obukha M O S C O W

Tel No 237-0820

t t v

Septe mb er 16 1991

The Embassy of I nd ia presents its compli me nt s to the Mi nistry of For ei gn Aff ai rs of the USSR and has the ho nour to enclose her ew it h a c o ll ect io n opound documents or NetSji S ub ha sh C h an d ra B o s e at one time a President of the Ind-ior N at io na l C o n g r e s s and a leading fig are in ths Indian freedom movement received from H r _ Ch it ts S s s u M em b er of P ar l ia m en t and Gene ra l Secretary All r d i a Forward Bloc a group founded by Meta ji Subhas-i X h 3 n d r a Fgt = $ e ord at present a c o n s t it ue n t of tne Left Front G o v e r n shyment in the Indian state of West Bengal

2 In these d o c u me n ts there are su ggestions quotingthe then Soviet A m b a s s a d o r in Kabul and the Soviet Vice Consu l in T e h er an to the effect that Netaji Subhash Chandra

itighr have found his way to the Soviet Union after the alleged ae ro p la n e cr as h in August 1 9 A 5 As recently as March 5 I990 The H i n d u s t a n Time an Indian daili n e w s p a p e r quoted a scholar of the Soviet Institute if Or ie nt al S t ud ie s to the effect t h a t there are t c S o v i e t sc ho la rs who have applied to tne Covernen-c of the US Sr for pe rm is si on to e xa min e cla ss if ie d documents

3- In the light of the current policy on Soviet nationala r ch i ve s the Embassy of India would appreciate if an rate- rial that sheds light on the fate of Netaji Subhush Chandra Dose in the a rch iv es of S ov ie t or ga nisations including s ec u r i t y o r g a ni s at io ns is made available to the Embassy of India

A The Ere bossy of India n vails itself of this opportunityto renew to the M i n s t r y of Foreign Affairs of the USSH the a s s u r a n c e s of its highest c on si deration

Seal

M i n i t r y of Foreign Af fa ir s Covernment of USSRM o s c o bullgt

E rc 1 a s a b o v e

if nI

(rough translation)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation

No ZAuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that according to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no information whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow8 January 1992

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

trrlter r_ EM B A S S Y OF INDIA6-8 Ulitsa Voiomsovo Polyo

N o S A 8 3 9 5 July 27 19SS

The Embassy of India presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to correspondence resting with their Note Verbaie No 2YuA of S January 15S2 regarding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Enclosed is a booklet which contends that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may have come to the former Soviet Union in 1945 There has teen further speculation in this context reportedly on the basis of archival materials In view of this it would be highly appreciated if ail materials available on the subject couid be examined for a final determination on whether or not Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose entered or stayed anywhere in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 or subsequently

The Embassy of India avails itself of tnis opportunity to renew to tne Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration - bull -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (South Asia Department) Moscow

v

(Unofficial T ransl

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

73YuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central Archival Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents^of Modern History no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to

renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 1995

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1995 Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years W e have now been informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory otthe former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador Kotov forwarding the note categorically asserts th a t we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soilrdquo and that extensive research can hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovrsquos letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

2 I would like you to please bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

(Pripuran Singh Haer)

0 M0 5 F f l I I 0 bull rsquo 1 ~ 6 C

Pripuran Singh Haer Charge dAffaires

MOSPOL125190

r o h o11 bull i bull r o j o o r i

trn s laquoPi j a r m rrcsl p - igt llsquo7EM B A S S Y OF INDIA

6-8 U l iu a Votomsovo PolyM O S C O W

Tel No S i 7-CS20 Tolex 413409 INDEMSU

Tgts Fa bullbull-9 3

October 31 19S5

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1SSS Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years We have now bee informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1595 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is nc

s informatcn whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory cf the formeSoviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador

ji Kotov forwarcing the note categorically asserts that we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soil and that extensive research can

1 hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovsbullvu letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

v jf2 1 wouid iike you to piesse bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

kt (Pripuran Singh Haer)

Shri R L Narayan Joint Secretary (EE) Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi

diams i iL Mr Ror on Sen Arnba ssador of Ind ia to th e R u s s i a n F e d e r a t i o n

D e a r R o n e n

E n c lo sed Y o u will find o u r no te c o n c e rn in g S u b h a sh C h a n d ra

Bose D o bel ieve th a t we have t r ied o u r best to discover any relevant

I actsU n f o r tu n a te ly I a m p ro fo u n d ly d is t ressed being u n a b le to provide

t any posi t ive in f o r m a t i o n on th e subject o f no t th e least im p o r t a n c e for

the In d ia n public Alas by now it a p p e a r s that we can be su re tha t Netnj has neve r set foot o n th e R u ss ia n soil Extensive re sea rch car r ied out

u p o n th e latest r eq u es t o f Y o u r s can h a rd ly leave any d oub ts to lhgt

effect

S in ce re ly Y ours Y a K o t o v

w

r lt W 3 lt tfr s t pound 2 3 i

Intervention by H EM rAnatoly MDrukov Ambassador of Russia in India during the

eress-conference on the 210296 in le Foreign Correspondentsrsquo Club__________

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is

deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people

who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73Y uA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

inform ation on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

m uch em otion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

j i

gt J -

i

Directorate of Foreign Relatilt Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

March 20 1997

N 547

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to you and has the honour to forward herewith the letter of Mr L Joychandra Singh addressed a second time to the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

In reply to this repeated query the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence (CAMD) of the Russian Federation has pointed out that there is no other data relating to the fate of Subhash Chandra Bose besides the information conveyed to you vide letter No1843 dated October 28 1996 (enclosing No222672 of the CAMD)

We request you to kindly inform Mr L Joychandra Singh of the above reply from the Archives

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Military Wing of the Embassy of India in Moscow the assurances of its highest consideration

Military Attache in the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation

Brig D Singh

No 19073DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federations presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassyrsquos note verbale No SA 1003 dated 8 January 2003 and the Ministryrsquos note verbale No 1423DA dated 28 June 2001 has the honour to inform you about the following

A search was conducted for documents related to the fate ofSCBose in the following federal archives

Russian State Military Archive (RGVA) Russian State Archives of Socio-Political History (RGASPI) State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) and Russian State Historical Archives of the Far East (RGIA DV) The information requested for was not found in the GARF RGVA and RGIA DV archives

Copies of the documents found in the RGIA DV Archives were sent to the Embassy in 2001

No information has been found about the fate of SC Bose in the Central Archives of the Russian FSB the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in the m anuscript section of the Russian State Library or in the Russian State Archives of Photographic Documents (RGAKFD)

We would also like to inform th a t the personnel archives of Eva Yakovlevna Lyusternik were sent after her death to the Russian Academy of Sciencesrsquo Institute of Oriental Studies and the open part of the archival m aterial on IV Stalin was sent from the archives of the President of the Russian Federation to RGASPI

The Ministry would like to use th is opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

M inistry of Foreign AtlairsR u ssian F ed eratio n

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Moscow 20th March 2003

^ M la iet ja Affaireo f the deration

No S 9 5 4 2 A A

The M inistry of Foreign Affairs of th e R ussian Federation p resen ts its com plim ents to the Em bassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and in continuation of Note No 55382XA dated Septem ber 14 2004 h as the honour to intorm th a t Information sought on the fate of Ind iarsquos p rom inent political figure Netaji S u b h ash C hand ra Bose was no t found in the C entral Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia

The M inistry avails of th is opportun ity to renew to the Em bassy the a ssu ra n ce s of its highest consideration

M oscow October 6 2004

E m bassy o f th e Republic o f India M oscow -

Ministry o f External Affairs CNV Division

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Information Act

Reference note at FR from AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) regarding CICrsquos directives on appeal by Shri Anuj Dhar who was denied information requested concerning disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his whereabouts in the former USSRRussia i f any

2 Vide letter o f 020806 at FA Shri Dhar had requested for (a) certified copies o f complete correspondence between MEA and the Government o f USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referring to Our Embassyrsquos intervention with the Russian MFA in 199219951997 2001 and 2003 and (b) whether MEA sought information from the Russian side in a routine manner through issue o f Note Verbales or some serious efforts were made at a higher level

3 Vide issue o f 250806 at FB CPIO on the basis o f inputs from CNV Division replied to Shri Dhar conveying that (a) requests to the Governments o f the USSRRussia were made through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels and (b) requisite copies o f the correspondence sought cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under provisions of Clause 8(l)(a)amp (f) o f the RTI Act Under Clause8(1)(a) there is noobligation to give any citizen information disclosure o f which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity o f India the security strategic scientific or economic interests o f the State relation with foreign State or lead to incitement o f an offence Under Clause 8(l)(f) there is no obligation to give ldquoinformation received in confidence from foreign governmentrdquo

4 Shri Dhar vide his letter o f 230906 at FC had appealed to then Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) on the ground that the reasons given by the CPIO denying him the information aslced for are untenable With regard to the intervention with the USSRRussian Government for information on Netajirsquos disappearance Shri Dhar seeks to know if this matter was pursued at a higher (say Ministerial) level Regarding Ministryrsquos resort to Clause 8(l)(a) Shri Dhar wrote that this is not intelligible to him as to how correspondence dealing with the disappearance o f a national hero can be threat to India or its relations with USSR which does not exist and has been disowned by the successor state o f the Russian Federation He has also questioned as to why information received in this matter o f national importance should be confidential In response to the appeal C lW Division has conveyed to JS (Inf) and CPIO vide its note dated 011106 at FD that (a) the information sought for by Shri Dhar ie whether serious efforts were made with interventions at higher levels with the Russian Government to seek information on Netajirsquos disappearance does not constitute ldquoinformationrdquo as defined in the RTI Act and the question is anecdotal in nature and (b) that copies o f correspondence cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under the relevant clauses in the RTI Act Though there is no evidence on this NGO file it is our understanding that these views were conveyed by the Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) to Shri Dhar Presumably what was meant was that Shri Dhar was seeking the opinion o f the MEA as to whether the efforts made by GOl in its interventions with the Russian Government were serious or just routinely taken up Since such lsquoopinionrsquo is not covered under Clause 1(0 hence it cannot be construed as lsquoinformationrsquo

6 The undersigned has gone through all available records in NGO Section pertaining to correspondence with the USSRRussian Governments seeking information on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose In particular attention is drawn to a note recorded in December 1998 at FE on linked file giving the chronological background to suchcorrespondence starting from May 1990 in the Note for Supplementaries prepared for Rajya Sabha Starred Question No 174 for answer on 101298 dealing with the Asiatic Societyrsquos request for access to Russian archives It may also be seen from the attached

A

Anticipated Questions and their Answersrsquo that Ministry was willing to disclose the contents o f the Note Verbale received from the Russian Government in response to IUdiaji demarches regarding information on Netaji on the floor o f the House There is no i available on NGO files to indicate if such information was in fact disclosed on the flooi o f the House when the PQ was answered However the point to note is Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose such information As per the last line under Clause 8 o f RTI Act ldquoinformation which cannot be denied to the Parliament or the State legislature shall not be denied to any personrdquo Therefore if such information has already been disclosed on the floor o f the House or even by virtue o f Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose we may no deny such information requested by Shri Anuj Dhar

7 Chronologically the correspondence copies available on file and linked files and sought by Shri Dhar are listed as under

(a) NV No Nil dated 160991 from EI Moscow to MFA USSR Government at FF on linked file

(b) NV No 2YuA dated 080192 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at -FGv -- bullbullbulllaquo mdash bullbull

(c) NV No SA8395 dated 270795 from EI M oscow to MFA Russian Government at FH on linked file

(d) NV No 73YuA dated 271095 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at FI

(e) DO letter from CDA EI Moscow enclosing Amb Kotovrsquos letter to Amb Ronen Sen at FJ on linked file

(f) Record o f intervention by Russian Ambassador to India at a press IK lrsquo ltonffirericebnrsquo2i0296 at FK on linked file

(g) NV No N547 dated 200397 from Russian Defence Ministry to EI Moscow at FL

(h) NV No 19073DA dated 200303 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow aft FM and

(k) NV No 59542DA dated 061004 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow 4 FN

8 A perusaldf the available correspondence shows the continuous effort made by the Ministry through the Embassy in Moscow to obtain information available i f any on Netajirsquos whereabouts in Russia It also shows that such effort was made at very high levels even through correspondence between the Indian Ambassador to Russia and his Russian counterpart One such correspondence is even addressed to a private Indian citizen in Manipur and the same has been passed on to him by our Embassy in Moscow There is no evidence to suggest that such correspondence was received in confidence an not to be disclosed However it would be beyond the competence o f CNV Division to make such a judgment merely on perusal ofthe filesrecords available in NGO SectionAS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) may like to consult Eurasia Division and Embassy o f India Moscow on whether disclosure o f such information under RTI woulc be detrimental to bilateral relations

J)(Debnath ShaiO

X At Wi bull JS (CNV)09 April 20f)7

AS fPP) amp Aeffellate Authority TRTI)

fet L 0 k f t t U a k k f c v J y -TI 4 i t i

cn v w et oA 2 4 JhV oW ei w ttC a

i CIC c h t tfcVe (jEuTA4-IAJ jrteaitcrj At-jKCdh-al tjyin cm Mm+cpL

I M i i ) J L j i t

j J 7

i

-r-

31

FAXTo AS(PP)

MEA New Delhi Fax 91-11-23013387

From First Secretary (Pol) Indembassy Moscow

Rpti) DS[Russia] MEA

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tele 007-495-9163544 Fax 007- 495-9163632

With reference to DS[Russia]rsquos message regarding AS[PP]rsquos note to JS[CNV] No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 9 April 2007 on an appeal filed under No RTI act 2005

2 Please find faxed herewith currently available few copies of this Missionrsquos correspondence with local authorities on the subject We will send more m aterial if available by the earliest diplomatic bag

U ) U v tcrv-4 j

(Dr Suresh Babu) FS [Pol]

13042007

A

- P O C C H H C K A fl A K M E M H H HAYK ^

H H C T H T Y T B O C T O K O B E ^ E H H J I

___________ JV2 ____________________

H a JVs_____________________________ T To 1Justice Mukherji

Commission o f Inquiry M irza Ghalib Street

Kolkata

Dear Sir

This is to inform you that as per your request we have checked the Private

Archive o f Prof EYaLustemic in the Indian Center o f the Institute of Oriental

Studies Russian Academy o f Sciences Moscow

We regret to inform you that there is no document on Subash Chandra Bose

With sincere regards

(Shaumian TLHead the Indian Center o f the Institute o f Oriental Studies

Russian Academy o f SciencesM oscow)

26092005

l0303l(Plttgt CHO 103753 (MeacflyHapoflHbiH) MocKBa T C n yji PoxcnecTBeHKa12 Ten (095)921-1884 (095)925-6461 Oaicc (095)975-2396 E-mail ivran orcru

In contrast to Indian National Congress Bose and his activists basically counted on armed struggle and open cooperation against enemies of England - Germany Italy and Japan Bose dreamed about freedom for India through crushing defeat of Britain Bose could not do it himself so he linked activity of his troops and groups with assault of Germany on India from the West and Japan from the East The aim of Bose was to expedite the assault in all possible ways and reinforce it from inside by subversive Anti-English activity in India and if possible to attached nature o f mass anti-British revolt However at that time not all people considered his activity as ldquosubversiverdquo Fascism was not so popular in India at that time but racism and violence were condemned everywhere A lot of Indians were satisfied with telling blows delivered hateful center o f empire by axis countries in particular against the background of British demonstrative nonshyrecognition of Indian rights for self-determination J Nehru wrote about this period How can we conciliate two basic directions of our policy - opposition to British imperialism and opposition to fascism and nazism How can we adjust our nationalism with our internationalism That was a difficult question for us taking in view current situation However this question would not be difficult if the British Government take a step to show us its refusal from imperialistic policy in India and rely on peoplersquos good willrdquo

But it did not happen Indian public reacted accordingly Describing the psychological atmosphere in the country that time Jawaharlal Nehru wrote ldquoPeople were pushing out not by patriotic feelings but by their willingness to save themselves from an offense and the worstrdquo

So S Bose did not have any mass support but he could use the mood of majority for his own purposes Nehru wrote about it the following ldquoProtection of the imperialism which we were fighting with for such a long time seemed to be non-sense and impossible to usrdquo

Unofficial translation

ldquoMatsottardquo is obtaining Soviet visa

Instructions were really complicated It was necessary to send Subhas Chandra Bose to Germany He was wanted by Britain secret service colonial Administration and local police throughout India Bose was staunch and irreconcilable adversary of Great Britain and may be the most dangerous one at that time

Extracts of the book whiten by Yuri L Kuznets ldquoMarauders are quitting the gamerdquo

Published in 1992 by ldquoInterprakstrdquo Moscow

Of course Bose made his main counting on the military defeat of England at the time when Hitlerrsquos Germany had been already at the war with it and Japan was still neutral So Bose was interested in Berlin When Japan occupied Burma and came close to the Indiarsquos borders Bose reoriented to the Far East

In spring 1941 his ways crossed with Bhagat Ram Bose decided to shift from India to Berlin because some of his friends and relatives were arrested in India and he by himself also was wanted He needed Hitlerrsquos support including financial one Ports we under police control and departure trough one of them was very risky Bose took another way and in February came to Kabul He was accompanied by Bhagat Ram who was not a member o f Bosersquos organization he did not like axis-members but he was posted as Bosersquos escort by his party ldquoKirti Kissanrdquo because o f his knowledge of Phushtun zone which they had to cross as well as Afghanistan and Kabul He also had his own flat in Kabul - the premises which belonged to Ultam Chang and his shop It was supposed that Ram was doing a favour to Bose only due to their common aim - to weak British positions in India at most

Ram fulfilled his task Bose settled down in Kabul and started to make arrangements for the next step of his journey During war time he could come to Germany only through the territory o f USSR For this purpose he required a passport which he did not have German Embassy applied to the Italian one Italians considered the German request positively Bose got passport in respect of Italian citizen Mazzotta Holding this passport Bose applied to the Soviet Embassy for transit visa crossed the USSR territory and came to Berlin

Mazzotta disappeared But German Consulate General drew attention to Bhagat Ram who was introduced as a powerful Indian activist in Afghanistan and India with anti-British orientation It was o f interest and he was suggested to work for the German Secret Service German resident was satisfied with Ramrsquos past his contacts and mood especially because he was concerned about difficulties o f the anti-British activities in India shortage of agents and information as well as conspiratorial bases in India Bosersquos recommendation also helped Ram was thinking it would be important for me and my party to establish contacts with enemies of their enemies

Offer on co-operation was accepted Ram left German Consulate having 100 000 Indian Rupees in his pocket 12 guns and ballets Money and arms were required by the people whom Ram would be recruiting in India Since May 1941 after the German finished their checking Ram had become the main agent o f the German Secret Service in India

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337 Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 9 4 0 5 September 9 2005

The Em bassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Em bassyrsquos earlier Note Verbales on the visit of a delegation of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 20-30 2005 in connection with enquiring into the facts and circum stances relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

It is confirmed th a t all logistical arrangem ents for official JMCI delegation and the accompanying eight deponents would be facilitated by the Embassy with no financial implications to the Russian side

It would be appreciated if the decision of the esteemed Ministry on visas for the visiting team may kindly be expedited

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

Copy to Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

No 5830 2DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Notes No SA16605 of 08 August No SA17405 of 18 August and No SA17905 and No SA18005 of 26 August this year has the honour to inform as follows

Justice Mukherjee as a Head of the Delegation set up by the Government of India to inquire about life of Subhas Chandra Bose pertaining to the period from 1945 onwards as well as the accompanying delegation will be given access to the documents kept in the Reading Halls o f the Federal and State Archives of the Subjects o f the Russian Federation in Moscow St Petersburg Irkutsk and Omsk through the Federal Archives Agency of the Russian Federation All expenditures related to the arrangements for their visit air-passage accommodation transport and medical insurance etc should be borne by the Indian side The Federal Archive Agency requests to inform Mr MK Mukherjee of the addresses of Federal Archives given below

1 Russian State Archive for social and political history - 103 821 Moscow 15 B Dmitrovka Str Director - Kiril M Anderson Tel 229 97 26

2 Russian State Archive of Audio- Photo Documents - 143 400 Moscow Region Krasnogorsk 1 Rechnaya Str Director - Lyudmila P Zapryagaeva Tel 562 14 64 563 08 45

3 Russian State Archive for Phono Documents 105 005 Moscow3 2ya Baumanskaya Str Director - Vladimir A Kolyada Tel 261 13 00

4 Russian State Naval Archive - 191 186 St Perersburg 36 Millionnaya Str Director - Vladimir S Sobolev Tel (812)312 11 37

The Federal Archives Agency recommends the following for work with the documents o f

- Central State Archive of St Petersburg - to apply to St Petersburg Archives Committee (193 015 St Petersburg 39 Tavricheskaya Str) Chairman of the Committee - Mr Anatoly D Yashkov Tel (812) 271 44 55)

- State Archive of Omsk Region - to apply to the Archive Department of the Ministry for State and Legal Development o f Omsk Region Head - Ms Galina Yu Borodina (644 099 Omsk 1 Tretyakova Str) Tel (381-2) 25 57 26

- State Archive of Irkutsk Region - to apply to Archive Department of Irkutsk Region Head - Ms Nadezhda K Shestakova (664003 Irkutsk 36a Gorkogo Str) Tel (395-2) 24 06 42

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow ldquo 15 ldquo September 2005

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA Moscow

slvNon-paper

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9

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow___ Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337

Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 8 0 0 5 August 26 2005

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Embassyrsquos earlier communications regarding the visit of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 18-30 2005

By way of background information given below are the relevant details of JMCI -

(i) The Government o f India Ministry o f Home Affairs New Delhi vide a gazette notification No S 0339(B) dated 14th May 1999 appointed Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry for Inquiry into the Alleged Disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under Section (3) o f the Commission o f Inquiry Act o f 1952 (60 o f 1952)

(ii) As per this notification Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry shall inquire into all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945 and subsequent developments connected therewith including-(a) whether Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is dead or alive(b) I f he is dead whether he died in the plane crash as alleged(c) Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are the ashes o f Netaji(d) Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and if

so when and how(e) I f he is alive in respect o f his whereabouts

(iii) The Commission shall also examine the manner in which the exercise o f Scrutiny o f Publications touching upon the question o f death or otherwise on Netaji can be undertaken by the Central Government in the circumstances

(iv) Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry is funded by the Ministry o f Home Affairs Government o f India and is an official Commission

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

Copy to M inistry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV t J 001

A MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS (PP) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of material immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

Deputy Secretary (Russia) Ph 23015199 Intercom 2285

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

Dr T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

T c J i h irvMUt(SOMNATH GHOSH)

Deputy Secretary Ministry of External Affairs

New Deifci

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 1^1002

( t

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No R T I-2 pound _ A S (P P )2 0 0 7

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance_of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anufpfiar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) 6t

Appellate Authority (RTI) 09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

g^py forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - H W U(Ajal Choudhfy)

1 o 7

0 v

j N lsquoaA gt ^ 1 ^

04 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV

MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS-iEP-) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of matenal immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

D tpu ij u su ta i J iu J o ia JPh 23015199 Intercom 228S

D r T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

h i 7-

_100pound 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 002

Most Immediate

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No RTI-HiLAS(PP) 2007

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed bv Shri Anul Dhar under RTI 200S - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anurbhar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC ------ = = = = mdash

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) amp

Appellate Authority (RTI)09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

JZopy forwarded to JS(Eurasla) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - t t U X f (Ajal ChoudMfy)

k

Buff 43402

Square C u t Raider A4 434Made in London

Blue 43403 Green 43404 Grey 43405 Orange 43406 Pink 43407 Red 43408 Yellow 43409 Mauve 43414

Page 18: V ' . . . Disci* wi/K 0*s*/ - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ...

To 26 November 2007

Dr OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner Central Information Commission Old JNU Campus New Delhi - 110067

Subject R eq u est to Ind ian Errbassy to procure p ost-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian arch ives

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter NoR TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2007 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision N oC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made v this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the

Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Embassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

i

2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing ruies or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at times provide information A request from the Embassy of India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

^ would not yvant this exercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant records are identified the Embassy may procure them for the National Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India

since they are likely to provide a never befc 3 insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world w a r for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n L ____2 63 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mayzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez iden ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)[A rch ive o f the P res id en t o f the R uss ian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lsk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606-13-33 Fax (495 ) 606 -19 -66

2 Is to riko-dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del R F (ID D M ID) [H is torico-D ocum enta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in is try o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o lenska ia -S enna ia p loshchad 3234 Tel (495) 244-32-19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i po litik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (A V P RF)[A rch ive o f Fore ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241-04-80

4 Tsen tra lrsquonyi a rkh iv M in is te rs tva o bo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f D e fense]142100 M oskovskaia ob las t P odo lrsquosk ul K irova 74 Tel (495) 715-90-05 (0967) 54-00-03

5 G lavno je R azvedyva te lno je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilitary In te lligence D irecto ra te arch ives Address not know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 TsentraPnyi a rkh iv Federa lno i s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (TsA FSB R ossjj)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F edera l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzhby vneshne i razvedki RF (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)[O perational A rch ive o f the Fore ign In te lligence S erv ice ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 5110Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 245 -33 -68 Fax (495) 247-05-29

8 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (TsA M VD R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In te rna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovocherem ushk inska ia 67 (Archive) ul Zoi i A leksa nd ra K osm odem iansk ikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-90

2

o o ^ y - q ^ - s z n ^ h

A deg U lt 6 S (3 2 -

gt

bull - - - bull bull

i - r

-0

F a x M e s s a g e P n o m

7 Jan 2008 1626

NameFax Number

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C

L i

DIRlt ERS)MEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1626 P0105

M in is try o f E x te rn a l A ffa irs E u ra s ia D iv is io n

Te l 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 5 1 9 9 Fax 9 1 -1 1 -2 3 0 1 3 2 5 3

u srs m eag o v in

WI(AJD)551102005

K in d a ttn D r S u re s h B a b u FS (P o l) E I M o s c o w

P le as e find a ttached a self-explanatory note received from JS (W e i amp Inf)amp C P IO regarding d isclosure o f correspondence over d is a p p e a ran ce o f S ubhash C hand ra Bose under the RT Act for kind necessary action a t your end

lahul S h rivastava) U n d e rs e c re ta ry 7 J a n u a ry 2 0 0 8

DIR(ERS gtMEflRNQ235C 7 Jan 2008 16=26 P020b

No RTI5517606 Ministry of External Affairs

( RTX Division )

Please refer to Dir (ERS)rsquo s note W I (AD)5511007 dated October 25 2007 regarding discloser o f complete correspondence

with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash | Chander Bose under the RTI Act

The content o f the note was conveyed to the Information j Commissioner Dr OP Kejariwal with endorsement to the applicant bull The applicant has suggested to Dr Kejariwal that the Government o f j India should make a request to the Government o f the Russiani Federation for transfer o f the material under reference to the Nationali bull

W e have received a communication to this effect from the CIC

i s J

Achieve o f India

which is enclosed for such action as deemed necessary

(A K Nag) JS (W ei amp Inf) amp CPIO1

December 18 2007

DIR( ERS gtMEARN0235C 7 Jan 2008 1627 P 0305

gt O P KEJARIWALSTTJprf

-MiX TR 4 58 cfcr TPTT

fcc=6ft11 0 0 6 7 Biock-lV 5th Floor Oki JNU Campus

I n fo r m a t io n C o m m is s io n e r New Delhi-110067 Telefax 26717351

Centra Information Commission

Novem ber 26 2007

Dear

This has reference to your le tte r N o R T 5 5 1 7 6 2 0 0 6 dated 2 Novem ber 2007

W e ap precia te your in itia tive in approaching the Russian G overnm ent fo r disclosure of the N etaji Subhash Bose papers for which th e RTI-application was filed by Shri Anuj Dhar W e have now received a le t te r from the RTI-applicant a copy o f which I am enclosing In this le tte r w hat the Appellant states is th a t the m ateria l on N e ta ji Subhash Chandra Bose held by the Russian authorities should be considered im portant from a national point of v iew and not one of a m ere individuals in terest He suggests and reuests th ere fo re that this m a te ria l be transferred to the National Archives This is not a very unusual request because I understand th a t the National Archives has e a rlie r got im portant m ateria l on India f rom abroad and hence this request could fa ll in the same category

I would be gratefu l if the m atte r therefore is pursued w ith the Russian Governm ent so th a t w hatever m ateria l is of va lue and interest to India may come toTis especially in the present case

Yours sincerely

(O P Kejariw al)

Shri AK NagJoint Secretary (W elfare amp Inform ation) M inistry o f External AffairsSouth BlockNew Delhi

DIR(ERS)MEflRN0235C 7 Jan 2008 16 = 2 P 0405

02 6 N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 7

Dr OP Kejariwal information Com missioner Central Information Commission

+ Old JNU Campus N ew Delhi - 110067

Subject R e q u e s t to Ind ian Em bassy to procure post-1940 N eta ji re lated records from Russian a rc h ive s

Dear Sir

I am writing after having spoken to you on the phone over letter N o R TI551762006 dated 2nd Novem ber 2 0 07 from Shri AK Nag Central Public Information Officer on the subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTi Act 2005 Shri Nag wrote in response to the decision NoC IC O KA 200600671 dated 10 August 2007

Second para of the letter (copy enclosed) reads they (Russian Foreign Ministry) state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note of the Embassy can approach the authorities of the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy of India for permission to get to know the Materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation

lt think it is rather considerate on the part of the Russian Foreign Ministry to have made this offer And so I request you to kindly consider forwarding this letter of mine to the Ministry of External Affairs who may communicate it to the Embassy in Moscow I request that the Em bassy uses its good offices to specifically request the eight federal Russian archives (listed on next page) to

1 Check their holdings for any post-1940 classified and declassified records pertaining to Subhas Chandra Bose and Orlando Mazzotta the Italian alias under which Netaji entered the U S S R in 1941

4 2 Provide documents or annonated lists of material located

3 Suggest what the Governm ent of India should do in case the records cannot be thoroughly searched for or provided under existing rules or any other restraints

I understand that these archives respond to the written requests from reputed organizations and at tim es provide information A request from the Embassy o f India would certainly carry much weight considering the excellent relations India has with Russian Federation

I would not w ant this e xercise be carried out exclusively for myself Once relevant fcS ords s re identified the Em bassym ay procure them fo rtheN atTonal Archives New Delhi Any documents thus accessed will have great historical significance for India since they are likely to provide a never befc s insight into the Soviet view of Bose his

1

DIR ( ERS) ME ARN0235C7 Jan 2008 16=27

furtive visit there in 1941 approaches at the close of second world war for asylum and subsequent developments

Thank you for your consideration

Yours sincerely

A n t 2 6 3 K a n g ra N ik e ta n V ik a s p u r i N e w D e lh i -1 1 0 0 1 8

Archives to be approached for Subhas Chandra BoseOrlando Mazzotta related records

1 A rkh iv P rez idsn ta R oss iisko i Federa ts ii (AP RF)Archive o f th e P re s id e n t o f the R ussian Federation103012 M oscow N iko lrsquosk ii per 4 Tel (495) 606 -13 -33 Fax (495) 606-19-66

2 Is to riko -dokum en ta lny i depa rtam e n t M in isterstva inostrannykh del RF (ID D M ID) [H is to rico -D ocum en ta ry D e p a rtm e n t o f the M in istry o f Foreign A ffa irs ]119200 M oscow S m o ie nska ia -S en n a ia p loshchad rsquo 3234 Tel (495) 244 -32 -19 Fax (495 ) 244-44-11 244-27-80

3 A rkh iv vneshne i p o lit ik i R oss iisko i Federatsii (AVP RF)[A rch ive o f Fo re ign P o licy o f the R ussian Federation]119200 M oscow P lo tn ikov per 11Tel (495) 241 -04 -80

4 Tsen tra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva obo rony RF (TsAM O )[C entra l A rch ive o f th e M in is try o f D e fense] - bull -142100 M oskovska ia o b la s t P odo lsk ul K irova74 Tel (495 )715-90-05 (0 9 6 7 )5 4 -0 0 -0 3

5 G lavno je R a zve dyva te ln o je U prav len ije (GRU) M ilita ry In te lligence D irectora te a rch ives A ddress no t know n to m e bu t can be obta ined from TsAM O

6 Tsentra lny i a rkh iv FederaPnoi s luzhby bezopasnosti RF (T sA FS B R ossii)[Centra l A rch ive o f the F e de ra l S ecu rity Service]101000 M oscow ul B o lsha ia Lub iankaTel 914-60-26 (D irec to ra te o f R eg is tra tion and A rch iva l Fonds)

7 O pera tivnyi a rkh iv S luzh by vneshne i razvedki R F (A rkh iv SVR Rossii)(O perational A rch ive o f the F o re ign In te lligence Service ]119034 M oscow ul O stozhenka 51 10Tel (495) 247 -19 -38 2 4 5 -33 -6 8 Fax (495) 247-05-29

Tsentra lny i a rkh iv M in is te rs tva vnutrenn ikh del RF (T sA M VD R ossii)[Central A rch ive o f the M in is try o f In terna l A ffa irs]117418 M oscow ul N ovoche rem ushk inska la 67 (Archive) ul Z o i i A le ksa n d ra K osm odem ianskikh 5 Tel (495) 156-79-30

ffs

amp-3gt) i c y v

Embassy of India Moscow(Political Wing) f t

r r v ^Subject Disclosure o f complete correspondence with USSRRussia over the

disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 reg

Reference remarks made by the Ambassador on FR a letter from JS (Wei ampInf) addressed to Shri OP Kejariwal Information Commissioner copy endorsed to Min (Pol) on the above subject

Back ground of the case On receipt o f a copy o f AS (PP )rsquo s Note No RTI- 36AS(PP)07 dated 942007 on the above subject Mission vide fax dated 130407 forwarded few copies o f Missionrsquos correspondence with the local authorities on the subject to AS(PP) -------- At F A

Subsequently on receipt o f JS(ERS)rsquo s letter No 1 lJS(ERS)2007 dated 20407 enclosed with A S (PP )rsquo s Note No 30AS(PP)07 amp JS(CNV)rsquo s Note along with copies o f correspondence available in CNV Division on the subject Mission has sent a Note Verbale No SA8907 dated 1752007 to Russian Foreign Ministry requesting for the views o f the Russian side whether the information provided by them could be released to the appellant -------At FB

Documents provided by Russian side and forwarded to the Commission

(i) Documents initially provided by the Russian side attached with Note Verbale No1423 DA dated 28h June 2001 which was forwarded to the Ministry on August

31 2001 may please be seen a t-----FC in the linked file

(ii ) On the basis of an affidavit submitted to the Justice Mukherjee Commission a Note Verbale No SA25904 dated December 22 2004 was sent to the M FA and reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 13142 DA dated 4 March 2005 enclosed with a copy of letter from Mr V Sayadyants to the Soviet Ambassador to Iran Mr IV Sadchikov regarding the political situation in India in 1946 may please be seen a t--------FD in the linked file

Response of the Russian side

( i) A reply was received from M FA vide Note Verbale No 42952 DA dated 2262007 stating therein that ldquo the documents from Russian Archives handed over in June 2001 were for official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up by it for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo This was conveyed to the Ministry vide letter No MOSPOL125190 dated 472007 --------At FE

P2

2

Again on receipt o f a copy o f the decision o f Central Information Commission vide No RTI5517606 dated 22082007 (At FF) Mission took up the matter with M FA vide Note Verbale No SA17307 dated 1892007 for which a reply was received vide No 42952DA dated 11007 reiterating their view that the documents from RussianArchives were submitted exclusively for official use by the GOI including Thiswas conveyed to the Ministry vide E-gram dated 10102007-----At FG

Submitted as desired by Min (Pol) please

2

f^TT FTRTTM IN ISTR Y O F E X TE R N A L A F FA IR S

NEW D ELH I

Dated 2nd November 2007 I gt gt v

gt ldquo $

NoRTI551762006

Shri OP KejariwalInformation Commissioner Central Information Commission Club Building Old JNU Campus New Delhi-110 067 bull

Subject- Disclosure o f complete correspondenc e with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RT[ Act 2005

SirAs per directives o f the Honrsquoble Central Information

Commission contained in Para 13 o f the decisioNoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi seeking certified copies o f the complete correspondence this Ministry had with the Governments of the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

9 ^ 2 Our Embassy in Moscow again approached the Government of Russian Federation to get their consent to the disclosure o f documents under reference but the Government of Russian Federation reiterated that documents were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government o f India for investigation o f Netajee Subhash Chandra Bose disappearance

3 However they state that the Indian citizen mentioned in the note o f the Embassy can approach the authorities o f the Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation through the Embassy o f India for permission to get to know the M aterials deposited in Federal and State Archives o f the Russian Federation

OV-

g ji)

j d L

Yours faithfully

(AK Nag) Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer

_ f

- i V lt L

Copy for information forwarded to-

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110 018

2 Director(ERS) Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi with reference to his Note NoW l(AD)5511007 dated 25102007

Minister (Pol) Embassy o f India Moscow

Joint Secretary(Wel amp Inf) amp Central Public Information Officer

N o W l(A D ) 5 5 1 1 0 0 7 M inistry o f External A ffa irs

(ERS D ivision)

W ith re ference your N ote No R T I5 5 1 7 6 0 6 dated 2 2 8 2 0 0 7 to JS (E R S ) regarding d isclosure o f com plete correspondence w ith the USSRRussia o v e r th e d is a p p e a ra n c e o N e ta ji S u b h a s h C h a n d ra B o s g u n d e r R T I A c t 2005 p lease find enclosed th e unofficial translation o f th e note verb ale dated 1 0 c to b e r rsquo0 7 sent by R ussian M inistry o f Foreign Affairs in reply to the note verbale sent by our E m bassy in M o scow on the subject

(A rya S an d e e p ) D irector (E R S )

2 5 O ctob er 2 0 0 7

JS (W ei amp Inf ampCentral Public In form ation O fficer

v C op y to M in ister (Pol) E m bassy o f India M oscow

U n o ffic ia l T ra n s la tio n

Quote

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highest consideration

Moscow 01st October 2007

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

For official use only

E-GRAM

NoMOSPOL 125 190 laquo y October 10 2007

From To

Indembassy Moscow Foreign New Delhi

AStERS) from Minister (Poll

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of September 2007 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22nd of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

Q u o teUnofficial translation

Moscow 01st October 2007

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

sd-(Dr Subhakanta Behera)

Minister (Political)

a I JH

NICEMAIL r^T^X Page 1 o f 1

y

Current Folder SentMaill y II

I - Compose rsquo^ Addresses ^ Folders EOptions gt Search ^ H e lp sij^Fetch ^ss^Calen

Message List | Delete | Edit Previous I Next Forward I Forward as Attachment | Reply | Reply A ll Message as N ew ------------1 ----------- 1-------------------------------- 1 ldquo r J 1

Subject Message from EI MoscowFrom dcmmoscowmeagovinDate Wed October 10 2007 110 pm

To jsersmeagovinPriority NormalOptions V iew Full Header | V iew Printable V ersion | Add to Addressbook

Attachments

untitled -[l] Ok [texthtm l] download | view

MQS10100716dth 175 k [ applicationoctet-stream ] download

10)0o

NoMOSpOL125190 October 10 2007

From Indernbassy Moscow To Foreign New Delhi

AS(BRS) from Minister (Pol)

Please refer to note NoRTI5517606 dated 22nd August 2007 regarding disclosure of complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the Disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

We had again taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs In reply to our note verbale they sent us a note verbale which I am paraphrasing below for your kind perusal

Q u o teUnofficial translation

No64682DA

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Note of the Embassy No SA17307 dated the 18th of

September 20o7 has the honour to inform the following

In addition to the Note of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation No 42952DA dated the 22laquod of June 2007 inform that documents from Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India including the works of the Commission established by the Government of India for investigation of Netajee Subhas Chandra Bose disappearance details

The Indian citizen mentioned in the Note of the Embassy has the right through the Embassy of India to request and to get to know the materials deposited in Federal and State Archives of the Russian Federation with the permission of its authorities

For official use only

1

The Ministry avails this opportunity to renew the Embassy of its highestconsideration

Appendix Note No42952DA

To the Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Unquote

As you may kindly see the MFA has reiterated that documents from the Russian archives were submitted exclusively for official use by the Government of India Moreover as the MFA had earlier informed the Indian citizen asking for the correspondences has the right to get the same from the Federal and State Archives in the Russian Federation through Embassy of India

Moscow 01st October 2007

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Minister (Political)

No64682DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and

the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 da ted the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

In add ition to the Note o f the M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion No 429 5 2D A dated the 22 nd o f June 2007 in form tha t docum ents from R ussian a rch ives w ere subm itted e xc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the

the Com m issionAfor investiga tion o f N eta jee S ubhas C handra B ose d isappea rance d e ta iis ^s ta b lis h e d by the G ove rnm en t o f IndiaD

p TU-Indian c itizen m en tioned in the Note o f the E m bassy has ^ f fg h t th rough the E m b a s sy tfo request and to fee- get to k n o w ^ a te r ia ls depos ited in Federa l and S ta te A rch ives o f the R ussian F ede ra tion w ith the perm iss ion o f its authorities

The M in is try ava ils th is opportun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest conside ra tion

M oscow 01st O ctober 2007

A ppend ix N ote N o4295 2D A

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

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No42952DAUnofficial translation

M in is try fo r Fore ign A ffa irs o f the R ussian Federa tion p resen ts its com p lim en ts to the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India in M oscow and quo ting the N ote o f the E m bassy No S A 1 7307 dated the 18th o f S ep tem be r 2007 has the honou r to in form fo llow ing

D ocum ents from R ussian a rch ives m entioned in the N ote o f the E m bassy w ere subm itted in particu lar in June 2001 exc lus ive ly fo r o ffic ia l use by the G ove rnm en t o f India inc lud ing the use by the C om m iss ion fo r inves tiga tion o f N e ta jee S ubhas C handra Bose d isappea rance deta ils estab lished by the G ove rnm en t o f India

W e a lso in form tha t the access to Federa l and S ta te A rch ive s o f the R ussian Federa tion is a llow ed w ith the perm iss ion o f Federa l a rch ives A g en cy (R osarch ives) the read ing in read ing room s o f concre te a rch ives w ith th e perm ission o f a rch ives s truc tu res au tho rities o f co rrespond ing bod ies on the basis o f appea l o f E m bassies sc ien tific research ins titu tes and pub lic o rgan iza tions

The M in is try ava ils th is oppo rtun ity to renew the E m bassy o f its h ighest considera tion

M oscow 02nd June 2007

To the E m bassy o f the R epub lic o f India M oscow

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NoSA17307

gt v

TRcT ltTv5f rram TTWTEMBASSY OF INDIA

MOSCOWriOCOIbCTBO HhaMM

MocKBa

18 September 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure of entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

J rThe Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent

vdeg a u th o r ity (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sidersquos view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set

^ up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji V A Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not

^ disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if suchaterial could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry it

could be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissionrsquos work is over Thecompetent authority is of the opinion that the material in question could be disclosed

W ^ deg the Appellant They further advised the Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi to formal clearance for the disclosure of the entire material on the above subject

J ^ ^ ^ f r o r y ^ e ^ i l i s s i a n side

- esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure of the above material maylease be communicated to this Mission at an early date

-

f

mbassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to tfte ^ in ijP r^W f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ^ of the Russian F e d e r ^ J ^(2nd Asia Department) 4 - 1 ^ gt i Csy~~~ aM o s c o w 1

6-8 yn BopoHUOBO rioie 131940 r MocKBa

Ten 007-095-783-75-35 007-095-783-75-34

wwwindianembassyru

tjgt2 t 007-095-916-36- 3 2 007-095-975-23-37

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR

JS(WelampInf) amp Central Public Information Officer has forwarded u s the CIC decision with request to initiate action in accordance with p a ra -13 th e Information Commission is all for disclosure of the material The CIC does not see any reason why the m aterial should not be disclosed now to any researcher since the Justice Mukherjee Commissionrsquos work is over Accordingly it has advised the Ministry of External Affairs to seek the formal clearance from the Russian authorities in the m atter

2 DCMrsquos last comm unication with JS(ERS) was made on 4th July 2007 DCM had forwarded the translation of the note verbale received from the Russian Foreign Office

3 In the light of above we may again send a note verbale to the Foreign Office in accordance with p a ra -13 of the CIC decision

Subm itted please

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

Sept 13 2007

NoSA17307 $ September 2007

The Embassy o f India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 42952DA dated 22nd June 2007 regarding disclosure o f entire material obtained from the Russian side about the reported stay disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 to an Indian citizen under the Right to Information Act 2005

The Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi had conveyed to the competent authority (the Central Information Commission) during the hearing of the Appeal Russian sides view that the material in question was handed over ldquofor official use exclusively by the Government o f India including for the work o f the Commission set up for the investigation o f circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo The material received from the Russian side was not disclosed to the Appellant The competent authority has taken a view that if such material could be made available to the Justice Mukheerjee Commission for inquiry they see no reason why-thisO material should iw k be disclosed to any Researcher now that the Commissions work is over The competent authority is of the ifem opinion that the material in question should be disclosed to the Appellant They further advised the Ministry o f External Affairs New Delhi to obtain formal clearance for the disclosure o f the entire material on the above subject from the Russian side

The esteemed Ministryrsquos clearance for disclosure o f the above material may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2nd Asia Department) Moscow

No R TI5517606 Ministry o f External Affairs

(RTI Division)

Subject - Disclosure o f complete correspondence with the USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under RTI Act 2005

Please find enclosed herewith Central Information Com m issionrsquos decision NoCICOKA200600671 dated 10th August 2007 on the appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar o f New Delhi

2 It is requested that necessary action may please be initiated in accordance with para-13 o f the CIC decision

EnclAs above

JS (Eiirasia)

(AiC Nag) Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) amp

Central Public Information Officer22-08-2007

mdash o j^ VxkxraquoA

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(XaA

- e j

(e-US)

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Central Information Commission ilaquoWDlaquoted4i^USd|ampL~

sect $ I| | i yyNoCICOKA200600671

Dated 10 August 2007

Name of the Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar263 Kangra NiketanVikaspuri New Delhi - 110 018

Name of the Public Authority Ministry of External Affairs

Background

Shri Anuj Dhar of New Delhi filed an application with the PIO Ministry of

External Affairs on 2 August 2006 for seeking certified copies of the complete

correspondence the Ministry of External Affairs had with the Governments of

the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash

Chandra Bose

2 The PIO vide his letter dated 25 August 2006 informed the Appellant that

the request to the Government of USSR and the Russian Federation were made

through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels The PiO also stated that the

requisite copies of the correspondence could not be disclosed at it involves the

relations with a foreign State and so was exempt from disclosure as per the

provisions of Clause 8(1 )(a)amp(f) of the RTI Act

3 Dissatisfied with the reply of the PIO the Appellant filed an appeal with

the first Appellate Authority on 23 September 2006 who vide his letter dated 6

November 2006 again denied disclosure of the documents taking recourse to the

Section 8(1 )(a) and (i) The bench of Dr OP Kejariwal Information

mmissioner heard the matter on 23 March 2007

4 The main stand of the Respondents to the information sought by the

Appellant which is regarding the correspondence between India and the

Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia was that this

information could not be disclosed as it was likely to affect the countryrsquos

relationship with another State On making enquiries from the Respondents it

was clear that this correspondence had neither been seen nor been examined

by an expert to come to such a conclusion Therefore the Commission felt

that the Applicantrsquos application had been treated casually

5 The Commission then directed the Respondents to first have this

correspondence examined by their own experts and if need be by an outside

expert who they could rely on and then take a firm decision In case the

experts came to the conclusion that the applicability of the denial clause was

not relevant in the case the material could be disclosed to the Appellant

However in case the Respondents came to the conclusion that the relations

between the Governments of india and Russia would be affected through the

disclosure of this information the Commission would like the issue to be

settled only after a reference had been made to the Government of Russia

6 The matter was taken up for a second hearing by the bench of Dr OP

Kejariwal Information Commissioner on 10 August 2007

7 Shri AK Naag Joint Secretary (Inf amp Wei) amp CPIO and Shri Nand

Kishore Under Secretary (RTI) represented the Respondents

8 The Appellant Shri Anuj Dhar was present in person

Decision

9 The Commission heard both the sides During the hearing the

Respondents stated before the Commission that they had received a response

from the Government of the Russian Federation Moscow in pursuance of the

Commissionrsquos earlier Order in the matter dated 23 March 2007

10 This letter stated ldquoaccording to the correspondence received from the

Embassy of India Moscow the Russian Foreign Office has stated that the

documents handed over by them in June 2001 were meant only for the GOIrsquos

official use and for the work of the Commission in investigations into the

disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boserdquo

11 During the hearing the Appellant stated that his request included the

entire correspondence between the Governments of India and the USSR

regarding nf NPtajirsquos disappearance The Commission accepted this

request and directed the Respondents to clearly mention this while seeking the

approval of the Russian authorities for disclosure of this material

12 Also during the hearing the Appellant made a plea for a copy of the

letter received by the Ministry of External Affairs resulting from the application

that he had made on the issue The Commission saw no objection in this

request and directs the Respondents to supply a copy of this letter to the

Appellant

13 The Commission further feels that if the material could be made

available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the

disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be

disclosed now to any Researcher now that that Commissionrsquos work is over The

information Commission therefore is all for disclosure of this material to the

Appellant However it advises the Ministry of External Affairs to seek a formal------ ------ - _ ____________ ___

clearance from the Russian Authorities in the matter

1 Shri Anuj Dhar 263 Kangra Niketan Vikaspuri New Delhi-110018

Shri AK Nag Joint Secretary (Wei amp Inf) a Central Public Information Officer Room No 207 Akbar Bhawan Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110021

3 Shri Ajay Choudhary Additional Secretary amp Appellate Authority Room No 144 C South Block Ministry of External Affairs Chanakyapuri New Delhi-110011

4 Officer Incharge NSC

5 Press E Group CIC

(OP Kejariwal) Information Commissioner

Cc

The Statesman

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17 August 2007

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01

[ India ]-

Netaji filesrsquo disclosure ordered

New Delhi Aug 16 The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the external affairs ministry to disclose its correspondence with the erstwhile USSR over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra BoseldquoThe Commission feels that if the material could be made available to the Justice Mukherjee Commission for inquiry into the disappearance of Netaji there is no reason why this material should not be disclosed to any researcher nowrdquo information commissioner Mr OP Kejariwal saidThe Commission made this observation while hearing Mission Netajirsquos plea for certified copies of the complete correspondence between India and the USSR over Netajirsquos disappearance in 1945 The CIC in its decision relied on a letter from officials in Moscow that said the documents which were handed over to India were meant for ldquoofficial use and for the work o f the Mukherjee Commission n PTI

Discussion on this Ind ia itemDisclaimer These are Internet generated discussion threads for which the The Statesman has no responsibilityNo discussions on this item

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Keshubhai joins rebels

http wwwthestatesmannetpagenewsphpclid=2amptheme=ampusrsess=lampid=l 66383 8172007

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raquo

Embassy o f India Moscow

(Political Wing)

Reference FR and noting of FS(Pol) thereon

2 It seems the Russian Foreign Office does not want to add anything beyond what they have already pu t in the note verbale of Ju n e 22 2007 However if the said note verbale is read together with the bilateral Agreement of 2000 it becomes clear th a t there is no bar oft supplying confidential information to persons asking for the sam e According to Article 3b ot the Agreement decisions to hand over particular classified information shall be taken by the Parties on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the laws of their States

3 Moreover as a scrutiny of the correspondences between the SovietRussian and Indian sides shows they do not contain any sensitive information All the correspondences convey the result of the search in the Russian Archives Perhaps tha t is why JS(CNV) was inclined to suggest the disclosure of the correspondences

4 Given my positive view on the m atter for disclosure of the correspondences I would however like to propose tha t the Ministry may be sent a copy of the note verbale received from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to take into cognizance of the Agreement of 2000 before taking any final decision on the m atter If needed LampT Division in the Ministry may also be consulted

Subm itted please

(r

(Dr Subhakanta Behera) Counsellor (Political)

July 3 2007

No 42952DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation and in reference to the Note SA8907 dated 17th May 2007 has honour to inform the following -

The documents from Russian archives referred to in the Embassyrsquos note in particular handed over in June 2001 for official use exclusively by the Government of India including for the work of the Commission set up by it for the investigation of circumstances related to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

cm)

a

W e further inform that the access to materials belong to federal and state archives of the Russian Federation is given with the consent of Federal Agency of Achieves (Rosarchiv) and permission to work in reading halls of agency archives is given by authorities of archives belong to concerned agencies on direct requests by embassies scientific amp research institutions and social organizations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation avails this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation assurances of its highest consideration

^ ft o j L (vLoo jP xjlJ~plt~ Moscow 22 June 2007

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apXHBHoro areHTCTBa (P o ca p x H B ) p a 6 o T a b HHxajibHbix 3 a n a x

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OP 0 i HI 608 FAX 2442763 2 ASIA (2 DA) $ 0 0 2

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KBa HJOHs 2007 roaa

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TOOfct

ra q

NoS -^ V JS (E R S )0 7

I

9 hTIclt o agtA

P ^ gt r^ yV lt gt V gilaquo )laquo A ^ t Ministry o f External AffairsSouth Block New D elh i-110 011 M ail jsers m eagovin

J L ^ 7 7 0 A A t u - Phone 23017411

PhFax 2 3 0 1 9 2 2

j 3 gt kC ) h ^ Alt 5 ^ ^ M-V r Vw

T his is w ith reference to m y le tter no 11 J S (E R S)2007 d a ted April 20 2007 regard ing a req u e s t m ade u n d e r ldquoRight to in form ationrdquo (copy enclosed for ready reference) It is req u ested th a t th e R u ssian s id e rsquos resp o n se m ay kindly be in tim ated^atjan early da te ^ ^

rajj-vMaaS

Y ours sincerely

(Dr J Bhagwati

X ^h ri D ivyabh M an ch an d a D eputy C hief of M ission E m bassy of Ind ia Moscow

Copy to

AS(PP) JS(CNV)

(Dr J Bhagwati)

No 11 JS (E R S ) 2 0 0 7

Deari

Please refer to AS (PP) an d Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 M arch 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence betw een the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra B osersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E u rasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm w ith the R ussian side w hether they would have any objection to release of correspondence received from them on th is subject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos response m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

S d -(Dr J Bhagwati)

Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) A^(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

S

20 April 2007h

( Dr J Bhagwati )

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tel 7837535 Fax 9752337

NoSA8907 17 May 2007

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to their Note Verbale No 2YuA dated 8 January 1992 and subsequent correspondence (viz No 73YuA dated 27 October 1995 N 547 dated 20 March 1997 19073DA dated 20 March 2003 and 59542DA dated 6 October 2004) including a letter from Ambassador Yu Kutov regarding information about the reported stay of a former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

An Indian citizen had filed a petition under the Right to Information Act 2005 for obtaining all informationdocuments relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The information obtained from the Russian side was denied to the appellant at that time

^Thereupon an appeal was filed by the concerned citizen and currently the V Government of India is considering whether the informationdocuments

-t obtained from Russian authorities on the subject could be released toappellant Views of the Russian side whether the information provided by

( them could be released to the appellant would be essential for the^ f Government of India to take decision on the matter

The esteemed Ministryrsquos views on the matter may please be communicated to this Mission at an early date

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the

s of its highest consideration

f V Ministry of Foreign AffairsL o f the Russian Federation

cr - A sia Department) ^V ^^(V io sco w

A V

Ministry o f External Affairs South Block N ew D elh i-110 011 Mail jsers m eagovinMail jsers m ea Phone 23017411

i]r

Phone 23017411 PhFax 23011922

S e c r e t

No H JS (E R S )2007

Dear L b ]

Please refer to AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI)rsquos self-explanatory note [enclosed] no 30A S(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 In the context of the AS (PP)rsquos note JS (CNV) h as listed correspondence between the R ussian and Indian sides regarding Netaji S ubhash C handra Bosersquos reported stay in the then USSR JS(CNV) h as suggested th a t we m ay disclose th is correspondence betw een India and R ussia to the appellant A copy of JS (CNV)rsquos note is also enclosed

2 AS (PP) h a s requested for E urasia Divisionrsquos views In our opinion it may be necessary to confirm with the R ussian side w hether they would have

amp any objection to release of correspondence received from them on thissubject In th is context copies of the correspondence as available in CNV Divisionrsquos records are enclosed It would be appreciated if the Mission could ascerta in the views of the R ussian side before the enclosed docum ents are released to the appellant M issionrsquos re~sponse m ay kindly be addressed to AS(PP) with copy to JS(CNV) and ERS Division

Yours sincerely

^Shri Divyabh M anchanda Deputy Chief Of Mission Em bassy of India Moscow

Copy (without enclosures) toi) AS(PP)ii) JS(CNV)

( Dr J B hagw ati)

V

V No^5AS(PP)2007

Right to Inform atioi Timt

Most Im

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)rsquos Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Inform ation Act 2 005

Shri Anuj Dhar had initially requested this Ministry last year requesting form information on the following two points-

1 Certified copies of complete correspondence the MEA has had with the Governments o f the USSR and the Russian Federation over the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

2 Confirmation on whether the Ministry had sought information from the erstwhile Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation by merely issuing Notes Verbale or some serious efforts were ever made at a higher (say Ministerial) level to uncover the mystery surrounding the fate of Netaji

filed an appeal with the CIC The appeal was considered by the CIC on 23 March 2007 The CIC has directed that the Ministry should have the documents under reference carefully examined by a panel of experts to determine whether the information sought by the applicant can be given or not

While we have not received the final decision of the Commission this would a time-bound exercise and it is therefore requested that JS(CNV) may please make the records available to me for a preliminary examination so that expeditious action can be taken on receipt of the formal decision of the CIC

The information was denied to Shri Dhar by this Ministry whereupon he

(AjAdditional Secretary (PP) fit

Appellate Authority (RTI) 28 March 2007

JS(CNV)

Copy forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with the request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me as soon as possible

o f iHC-ifl no 3 20 HOO bull rsquobull bullP

vrrwr 5fn tnrvtEMBASSY OF IN D IA

6-0 Ulitsa Obukha M O S C O W

Tel No 237-0820

t t v

Septe mb er 16 1991

The Embassy of I nd ia presents its compli me nt s to the Mi nistry of For ei gn Aff ai rs of the USSR and has the ho nour to enclose her ew it h a c o ll ect io n opound documents or NetSji S ub ha sh C h an d ra B o s e at one time a President of the Ind-ior N at io na l C o n g r e s s and a leading fig are in ths Indian freedom movement received from H r _ Ch it ts S s s u M em b er of P ar l ia m en t and Gene ra l Secretary All r d i a Forward Bloc a group founded by Meta ji Subhas-i X h 3 n d r a Fgt = $ e ord at present a c o n s t it ue n t of tne Left Front G o v e r n shyment in the Indian state of West Bengal

2 In these d o c u me n ts there are su ggestions quotingthe then Soviet A m b a s s a d o r in Kabul and the Soviet Vice Consu l in T e h er an to the effect that Netaji Subhash Chandra

itighr have found his way to the Soviet Union after the alleged ae ro p la n e cr as h in August 1 9 A 5 As recently as March 5 I990 The H i n d u s t a n Time an Indian daili n e w s p a p e r quoted a scholar of the Soviet Institute if Or ie nt al S t ud ie s to the effect t h a t there are t c S o v i e t sc ho la rs who have applied to tne Covernen-c of the US Sr for pe rm is si on to e xa min e cla ss if ie d documents

3- In the light of the current policy on Soviet nationala r ch i ve s the Embassy of India would appreciate if an rate- rial that sheds light on the fate of Netaji Subhush Chandra Dose in the a rch iv es of S ov ie t or ga nisations including s ec u r i t y o r g a ni s at io ns is made available to the Embassy of India

A The Ere bossy of India n vails itself of this opportunityto renew to the M i n s t r y of Foreign Affairs of the USSH the a s s u r a n c e s of its highest c on si deration

Seal

M i n i t r y of Foreign Af fa ir s Covernment of USSRM o s c o bullgt

E rc 1 a s a b o v e

if nI

(rough translation)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation

No ZAuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of Republic of India and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Note dated 16 September 1991 has the honour to inform that according to the data in the Central and Republican Archives no information whatsoever is available on the stay of the former President of Indian National Congress Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in the Soviet Union in 1945 and thereafter

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow8 January 1992

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

trrlter r_ EM B A S S Y OF INDIA6-8 Ulitsa Voiomsovo Polyo

N o S A 8 3 9 5 July 27 19SS

The Embassy of India presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to correspondence resting with their Note Verbaie No 2YuA of S January 15S2 regarding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Enclosed is a booklet which contends that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose may have come to the former Soviet Union in 1945 There has teen further speculation in this context reportedly on the basis of archival materials In view of this it would be highly appreciated if ail materials available on the subject couid be examined for a final determination on whether or not Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose entered or stayed anywhere in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 or subsequently

The Embassy of India avails itself of tnis opportunity to renew to tne Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration - bull -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (South Asia Department) Moscow

v

(Unofficial T ransl

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

73YuA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassys note No SA8395 dated July 27 1995 has the honour to state that as a result of the investigations carried out at the Central Archival Collection of the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Russian Centre for Retention and Perusal of Documents^of Modern History no Information whatsoever has come to light on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the former USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to

renew to the Embassy the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow 27 October 1995

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1995 Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years W e have now been informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1995 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is no information whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory otthe former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador Kotov forwarding the note categorically asserts th a t we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soilrdquo and that extensive research can hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovrsquos letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

2 I would like you to please bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

(Pripuran Singh Haer)

0 M0 5 F f l I I 0 bull rsquo 1 ~ 6 C

Pripuran Singh Haer Charge dAffaires

MOSPOL125190

r o h o11 bull i bull r o j o o r i

trn s laquoPi j a r m rrcsl p - igt llsquo7EM B A S S Y OF INDIA

6-8 U l iu a Votomsovo PolyM O S C O W

Tel No S i 7-CS20 Tolex 413409 INDEMSU

Tgts Fa bullbull-9 3

October 31 19S5

Vide his letter No MOSAMB97995 dated July 27 1SSS Ambassador had informed you that he had taken up with the Foreign Office the question of examination of all materials to finally determine whether Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had entered or stayed in the territory of the former Soviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years We have now bee informed by the Foreign Office vide their note No 73YuA dated October 27 1595 that after thorough investigations of all concerned records there is nc

s informatcn whatsoever of Netaji having stayed on the territory cf the formeSoviet Union in 1945 and in subsequent years The letter from Ambassador

ji Kotov forwarcing the note categorically asserts that we can be sure that Netaji has never set foot on Russian soil and that extensive research can

1 hardly leave any doubts in this regard A copy of Ambassador Kotovsbullvu letter and the Foreign Office note are enclosed

v jf2 1 wouid iike you to piesse bring this to the attention of Foreign Secretary and EAM

Yours sincerely

kt (Pripuran Singh Haer)

Shri R L Narayan Joint Secretary (EE) Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi

diams i iL Mr Ror on Sen Arnba ssador of Ind ia to th e R u s s i a n F e d e r a t i o n

D e a r R o n e n

E n c lo sed Y o u will find o u r no te c o n c e rn in g S u b h a sh C h a n d ra

Bose D o bel ieve th a t we have t r ied o u r best to discover any relevant

I actsU n f o r tu n a te ly I a m p ro fo u n d ly d is t ressed being u n a b le to provide

t any posi t ive in f o r m a t i o n on th e subject o f no t th e least im p o r t a n c e for

the In d ia n public Alas by now it a p p e a r s that we can be su re tha t Netnj has neve r set foot o n th e R u ss ia n soil Extensive re sea rch car r ied out

u p o n th e latest r eq u es t o f Y o u r s can h a rd ly leave any d oub ts to lhgt

effect

S in ce re ly Y ours Y a K o t o v

w

r lt W 3 lt tfr s t pound 2 3 i

Intervention by H EM rAnatoly MDrukov Ambassador of Russia in India during the

eress-conference on the 210296 in le Foreign Correspondentsrsquo Club__________

In Russia as well as in the erstwhile Soviet Union Subhash Chandra Bose is

deeply honoured as one of the most outstanding sons of friendly Indian people

who dedicated his whole life to the liberation of India

We extend great respect understanding and attention to those actions

aimed at finding out true circumstances of his demise

Along with this being a foreigner I can speak about the matters concerning

my country only And now I can only reiterate what my Government has already

said in the verbal note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian

Federation No 73Y uA dated October 27 1995 as a reply to the request of the

Indian Government

As a result of the investigations carried out at the collections of the Central

Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia and of the Russian Centre for

Retention and Perusal of Documents of Modern History there was found no

inform ation on the stay of Subhash Chandra Bose on the territory of the

erstwhile USSR in 1945 and in subsequent years

I realise that on the centenary anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose too

m uch em otion appears among the representatives of different strata of Indian

society

Hence I would rather avoid any additional comments on the subject

Thank You

j i

gt J -

i

Directorate of Foreign Relatilt Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

March 20 1997

N 547

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to you and has the honour to forward herewith the letter of Mr L Joychandra Singh addressed a second time to the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

In reply to this repeated query the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence (CAMD) of the Russian Federation has pointed out that there is no other data relating to the fate of Subhash Chandra Bose besides the information conveyed to you vide letter No1843 dated October 28 1996 (enclosing No222672 of the CAMD)

We request you to kindly inform Mr L Joychandra Singh of the above reply from the Archives

The Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Military Wing of the Embassy of India in Moscow the assurances of its highest consideration

Military Attache in the Embassy of the Republic of India in the Russian Federation

Brig D Singh

No 19073DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federations presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and with reference to the Embassyrsquos note verbale No SA 1003 dated 8 January 2003 and the Ministryrsquos note verbale No 1423DA dated 28 June 2001 has the honour to inform you about the following

A search was conducted for documents related to the fate ofSCBose in the following federal archives

Russian State Military Archive (RGVA) Russian State Archives of Socio-Political History (RGASPI) State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) and Russian State Historical Archives of the Far East (RGIA DV) The information requested for was not found in the GARF RGVA and RGIA DV archives

Copies of the documents found in the RGIA DV Archives were sent to the Embassy in 2001

No information has been found about the fate of SC Bose in the Central Archives of the Russian FSB the Central Archives of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in the m anuscript section of the Russian State Library or in the Russian State Archives of Photographic Documents (RGAKFD)

We would also like to inform th a t the personnel archives of Eva Yakovlevna Lyusternik were sent after her death to the Russian Academy of Sciencesrsquo Institute of Oriental Studies and the open part of the archival m aterial on IV Stalin was sent from the archives of the President of the Russian Federation to RGASPI

The Ministry would like to use th is opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

M inistry of Foreign AtlairsR u ssian F ed eratio n

Embassy of the Republic of India Moscow

Moscow 20th March 2003

^ M la iet ja Affaireo f the deration

No S 9 5 4 2 A A

The M inistry of Foreign Affairs of th e R ussian Federation p resen ts its com plim ents to the Em bassy of the Republic of India in Moscow and in continuation of Note No 55382XA dated Septem ber 14 2004 h as the honour to intorm th a t Information sought on the fate of Ind iarsquos p rom inent political figure Netaji S u b h ash C hand ra Bose was no t found in the C entral Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia

The M inistry avails of th is opportun ity to renew to the Em bassy the a ssu ra n ce s of its highest consideration

M oscow October 6 2004

E m bassy o f th e Republic o f India M oscow -

Ministry o f External Affairs CNV Division

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under Right to Information Act

Reference note at FR from AS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) regarding CICrsquos directives on appeal by Shri Anuj Dhar who was denied information requested concerning disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his whereabouts in the former USSRRussia i f any

2 Vide letter o f 020806 at FA Shri Dhar had requested for (a) certified copies o f complete correspondence between MEA and the Government o f USSRRussia over the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referring to Our Embassyrsquos intervention with the Russian MFA in 199219951997 2001 and 2003 and (b) whether MEA sought information from the Russian side in a routine manner through issue o f Note Verbales or some serious efforts were made at a higher level

3 Vide issue o f 250806 at FB CPIO on the basis o f inputs from CNV Division replied to Shri Dhar conveying that (a) requests to the Governments o f the USSRRussia were made through diplomatic channels at appropriate levels and (b) requisite copies o f the correspondence sought cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under provisions of Clause 8(l)(a)amp (f) o f the RTI Act Under Clause8(1)(a) there is noobligation to give any citizen information disclosure o f which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity o f India the security strategic scientific or economic interests o f the State relation with foreign State or lead to incitement o f an offence Under Clause 8(l)(f) there is no obligation to give ldquoinformation received in confidence from foreign governmentrdquo

4 Shri Dhar vide his letter o f 230906 at FC had appealed to then Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) on the ground that the reasons given by the CPIO denying him the information aslced for are untenable With regard to the intervention with the USSRRussian Government for information on Netajirsquos disappearance Shri Dhar seeks to know if this matter was pursued at a higher (say Ministerial) level Regarding Ministryrsquos resort to Clause 8(l)(a) Shri Dhar wrote that this is not intelligible to him as to how correspondence dealing with the disappearance o f a national hero can be threat to India or its relations with USSR which does not exist and has been disowned by the successor state o f the Russian Federation He has also questioned as to why information received in this matter o f national importance should be confidential In response to the appeal C lW Division has conveyed to JS (Inf) and CPIO vide its note dated 011106 at FD that (a) the information sought for by Shri Dhar ie whether serious efforts were made with interventions at higher levels with the Russian Government to seek information on Netajirsquos disappearance does not constitute ldquoinformationrdquo as defined in the RTI Act and the question is anecdotal in nature and (b) that copies o f correspondence cannot be disclosed as it involves relations with a foreign state and is exempt under the relevant clauses in the RTI Act Though there is no evidence on this NGO file it is our understanding that these views were conveyed by the Secretary (ER) and Appellate Authority (RTI) to Shri Dhar Presumably what was meant was that Shri Dhar was seeking the opinion o f the MEA as to whether the efforts made by GOl in its interventions with the Russian Government were serious or just routinely taken up Since such lsquoopinionrsquo is not covered under Clause 1(0 hence it cannot be construed as lsquoinformationrsquo

6 The undersigned has gone through all available records in NGO Section pertaining to correspondence with the USSRRussian Governments seeking information on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose In particular attention is drawn to a note recorded in December 1998 at FE on linked file giving the chronological background to suchcorrespondence starting from May 1990 in the Note for Supplementaries prepared for Rajya Sabha Starred Question No 174 for answer on 101298 dealing with the Asiatic Societyrsquos request for access to Russian archives It may also be seen from the attached

A

Anticipated Questions and their Answersrsquo that Ministry was willing to disclose the contents o f the Note Verbale received from the Russian Government in response to IUdiaji demarches regarding information on Netaji on the floor o f the House There is no i available on NGO files to indicate if such information was in fact disclosed on the flooi o f the House when the PQ was answered However the point to note is Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose such information As per the last line under Clause 8 o f RTI Act ldquoinformation which cannot be denied to the Parliament or the State legislature shall not be denied to any personrdquo Therefore if such information has already been disclosed on the floor o f the House or even by virtue o f Ministryrsquos willingness to disclose we may no deny such information requested by Shri Anuj Dhar

7 Chronologically the correspondence copies available on file and linked files and sought by Shri Dhar are listed as under

(a) NV No Nil dated 160991 from EI Moscow to MFA USSR Government at FF on linked file

(b) NV No 2YuA dated 080192 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at -FGv -- bullbullbulllaquo mdash bullbull

(c) NV No SA8395 dated 270795 from EI M oscow to MFA Russian Government at FH on linked file

(d) NV No 73YuA dated 271095 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow at FI

(e) DO letter from CDA EI Moscow enclosing Amb Kotovrsquos letter to Amb Ronen Sen at FJ on linked file

(f) Record o f intervention by Russian Ambassador to India at a press IK lrsquo ltonffirericebnrsquo2i0296 at FK on linked file

(g) NV No N547 dated 200397 from Russian Defence Ministry to EI Moscow at FL

(h) NV No 19073DA dated 200303 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow aft FM and

(k) NV No 59542DA dated 061004 from Russian MFA to EI Moscow 4 FN

8 A perusaldf the available correspondence shows the continuous effort made by the Ministry through the Embassy in Moscow to obtain information available i f any on Netajirsquos whereabouts in Russia It also shows that such effort was made at very high levels even through correspondence between the Indian Ambassador to Russia and his Russian counterpart One such correspondence is even addressed to a private Indian citizen in Manipur and the same has been passed on to him by our Embassy in Moscow There is no evidence to suggest that such correspondence was received in confidence an not to be disclosed However it would be beyond the competence o f CNV Division to make such a judgment merely on perusal ofthe filesrecords available in NGO SectionAS (PP) and Appellate Authority (RTI) may like to consult Eurasia Division and Embassy o f India Moscow on whether disclosure o f such information under RTI woulc be detrimental to bilateral relations

J)(Debnath ShaiO

X At Wi bull JS (CNV)09 April 20f)7

AS fPP) amp Aeffellate Authority TRTI)

fet L 0 k f t t U a k k f c v J y -TI 4 i t i

cn v w et oA 2 4 JhV oW ei w ttC a

i CIC c h t tfcVe (jEuTA4-IAJ jrteaitcrj At-jKCdh-al tjyin cm Mm+cpL

I M i i ) J L j i t

j J 7

i

-r-

31

FAXTo AS(PP)

MEA New Delhi Fax 91-11-23013387

From First Secretary (Pol) Indembassy Moscow

Rpti) DS[Russia] MEA

Embassy of India 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo

Polye Moscow Tele 007-495-9163544 Fax 007- 495-9163632

With reference to DS[Russia]rsquos message regarding AS[PP]rsquos note to JS[CNV] No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 9 April 2007 on an appeal filed under No RTI act 2005

2 Please find faxed herewith currently available few copies of this Missionrsquos correspondence with local authorities on the subject We will send more m aterial if available by the earliest diplomatic bag

U ) U v tcrv-4 j

(Dr Suresh Babu) FS [Pol]

13042007

A

- P O C C H H C K A fl A K M E M H H HAYK ^

H H C T H T Y T B O C T O K O B E ^ E H H J I

___________ JV2 ____________________

H a JVs_____________________________ T To 1Justice Mukherji

Commission o f Inquiry M irza Ghalib Street

Kolkata

Dear Sir

This is to inform you that as per your request we have checked the Private

Archive o f Prof EYaLustemic in the Indian Center o f the Institute of Oriental

Studies Russian Academy o f Sciences Moscow

We regret to inform you that there is no document on Subash Chandra Bose

With sincere regards

(Shaumian TLHead the Indian Center o f the Institute o f Oriental Studies

Russian Academy o f SciencesM oscow)

26092005

l0303l(Plttgt CHO 103753 (MeacflyHapoflHbiH) MocKBa T C n yji PoxcnecTBeHKa12 Ten (095)921-1884 (095)925-6461 Oaicc (095)975-2396 E-mail ivran orcru

In contrast to Indian National Congress Bose and his activists basically counted on armed struggle and open cooperation against enemies of England - Germany Italy and Japan Bose dreamed about freedom for India through crushing defeat of Britain Bose could not do it himself so he linked activity of his troops and groups with assault of Germany on India from the West and Japan from the East The aim of Bose was to expedite the assault in all possible ways and reinforce it from inside by subversive Anti-English activity in India and if possible to attached nature o f mass anti-British revolt However at that time not all people considered his activity as ldquosubversiverdquo Fascism was not so popular in India at that time but racism and violence were condemned everywhere A lot of Indians were satisfied with telling blows delivered hateful center o f empire by axis countries in particular against the background of British demonstrative nonshyrecognition of Indian rights for self-determination J Nehru wrote about this period How can we conciliate two basic directions of our policy - opposition to British imperialism and opposition to fascism and nazism How can we adjust our nationalism with our internationalism That was a difficult question for us taking in view current situation However this question would not be difficult if the British Government take a step to show us its refusal from imperialistic policy in India and rely on peoplersquos good willrdquo

But it did not happen Indian public reacted accordingly Describing the psychological atmosphere in the country that time Jawaharlal Nehru wrote ldquoPeople were pushing out not by patriotic feelings but by their willingness to save themselves from an offense and the worstrdquo

So S Bose did not have any mass support but he could use the mood of majority for his own purposes Nehru wrote about it the following ldquoProtection of the imperialism which we were fighting with for such a long time seemed to be non-sense and impossible to usrdquo

Unofficial translation

ldquoMatsottardquo is obtaining Soviet visa

Instructions were really complicated It was necessary to send Subhas Chandra Bose to Germany He was wanted by Britain secret service colonial Administration and local police throughout India Bose was staunch and irreconcilable adversary of Great Britain and may be the most dangerous one at that time

Extracts of the book whiten by Yuri L Kuznets ldquoMarauders are quitting the gamerdquo

Published in 1992 by ldquoInterprakstrdquo Moscow

Of course Bose made his main counting on the military defeat of England at the time when Hitlerrsquos Germany had been already at the war with it and Japan was still neutral So Bose was interested in Berlin When Japan occupied Burma and came close to the Indiarsquos borders Bose reoriented to the Far East

In spring 1941 his ways crossed with Bhagat Ram Bose decided to shift from India to Berlin because some of his friends and relatives were arrested in India and he by himself also was wanted He needed Hitlerrsquos support including financial one Ports we under police control and departure trough one of them was very risky Bose took another way and in February came to Kabul He was accompanied by Bhagat Ram who was not a member o f Bosersquos organization he did not like axis-members but he was posted as Bosersquos escort by his party ldquoKirti Kissanrdquo because o f his knowledge of Phushtun zone which they had to cross as well as Afghanistan and Kabul He also had his own flat in Kabul - the premises which belonged to Ultam Chang and his shop It was supposed that Ram was doing a favour to Bose only due to their common aim - to weak British positions in India at most

Ram fulfilled his task Bose settled down in Kabul and started to make arrangements for the next step of his journey During war time he could come to Germany only through the territory o f USSR For this purpose he required a passport which he did not have German Embassy applied to the Italian one Italians considered the German request positively Bose got passport in respect of Italian citizen Mazzotta Holding this passport Bose applied to the Soviet Embassy for transit visa crossed the USSR territory and came to Berlin

Mazzotta disappeared But German Consulate General drew attention to Bhagat Ram who was introduced as a powerful Indian activist in Afghanistan and India with anti-British orientation It was o f interest and he was suggested to work for the German Secret Service German resident was satisfied with Ramrsquos past his contacts and mood especially because he was concerned about difficulties o f the anti-British activities in India shortage of agents and information as well as conspiratorial bases in India Bosersquos recommendation also helped Ram was thinking it would be important for me and my party to establish contacts with enemies of their enemies

Offer on co-operation was accepted Ram left German Consulate having 100 000 Indian Rupees in his pocket 12 guns and ballets Money and arms were required by the people whom Ram would be recruiting in India Since May 1941 after the German finished their checking Ram had become the main agent o f the German Secret Service in India

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337 Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 9 4 0 5 September 9 2005

The Em bassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Em bassyrsquos earlier Note Verbales on the visit of a delegation of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 20-30 2005 in connection with enquiring into the facts and circum stances relating to the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

It is confirmed th a t all logistical arrangem ents for official JMCI delegation and the accompanying eight deponents would be facilitated by the Embassy with no financial implications to the Russian side

It would be appreciated if the decision of the esteemed Ministry on visas for the visiting team may kindly be expedited

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

Copy to Ministry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

No 5830 2DA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation presents its compliments to the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation and with reference to the Embassyrsquos Notes No SA16605 of 08 August No SA17405 of 18 August and No SA17905 and No SA18005 of 26 August this year has the honour to inform as follows

Justice Mukherjee as a Head of the Delegation set up by the Government of India to inquire about life of Subhas Chandra Bose pertaining to the period from 1945 onwards as well as the accompanying delegation will be given access to the documents kept in the Reading Halls o f the Federal and State Archives of the Subjects o f the Russian Federation in Moscow St Petersburg Irkutsk and Omsk through the Federal Archives Agency of the Russian Federation All expenditures related to the arrangements for their visit air-passage accommodation transport and medical insurance etc should be borne by the Indian side The Federal Archive Agency requests to inform Mr MK Mukherjee of the addresses of Federal Archives given below

1 Russian State Archive for social and political history - 103 821 Moscow 15 B Dmitrovka Str Director - Kiril M Anderson Tel 229 97 26

2 Russian State Archive of Audio- Photo Documents - 143 400 Moscow Region Krasnogorsk 1 Rechnaya Str Director - Lyudmila P Zapryagaeva Tel 562 14 64 563 08 45

3 Russian State Archive for Phono Documents 105 005 Moscow3 2ya Baumanskaya Str Director - Vladimir A Kolyada Tel 261 13 00

4 Russian State Naval Archive - 191 186 St Perersburg 36 Millionnaya Str Director - Vladimir S Sobolev Tel (812)312 11 37

The Federal Archives Agency recommends the following for work with the documents o f

- Central State Archive of St Petersburg - to apply to St Petersburg Archives Committee (193 015 St Petersburg 39 Tavricheskaya Str) Chairman of the Committee - Mr Anatoly D Yashkov Tel (812) 271 44 55)

- State Archive of Omsk Region - to apply to the Archive Department of the Ministry for State and Legal Development o f Omsk Region Head - Ms Galina Yu Borodina (644 099 Omsk 1 Tretyakova Str) Tel (381-2) 25 57 26

- State Archive of Irkutsk Region - to apply to Archive Department of Irkutsk Region Head - Ms Nadezhda K Shestakova (664003 Irkutsk 36a Gorkogo Str) Tel (395-2) 24 06 42

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Republic of India the assurances of its highest consideration

Moscow ldquo 15 ldquo September 2005

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA Moscow

slvNon-paper

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9

Embassy o f In d ia 6-8 Ulitsa Vorontsovo Polye

Moscow___ Tel 9163544 Fax 9752337

Telex 413409 INDEMB-SU

No S A 1 8 0 0 5 August 26 2005

The Embassy of India in Moscow presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and has the honour to refer to Embassyrsquos earlier communications regarding the visit of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry (JMCI) to Russia from September 18-30 2005

By way of background information given below are the relevant details of JMCI -

(i) The Government o f India Ministry o f Home Affairs New Delhi vide a gazette notification No S 0339(B) dated 14th May 1999 appointed Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry for Inquiry into the Alleged Disappearance o f Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under Section (3) o f the Commission o f Inquiry Act o f 1952 (60 o f 1952)

(ii) As per this notification Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry shall inquire into all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance o f Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945 and subsequent developments connected therewith including-(a) whether Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is dead or alive(b) I f he is dead whether he died in the plane crash as alleged(c) Whether the ashes in the Japanese temple are the ashes o f Netaji(d) Whether he has died in any other manner at any other place and if

so when and how(e) I f he is alive in respect o f his whereabouts

(iii) The Commission shall also examine the manner in which the exercise o f Scrutiny o f Publications touching upon the question o f death or otherwise on Netaji can be undertaken by the Central Government in the circumstances

(iv) Justice Mukherjee Commission o f Inquiry is funded by the Ministry o f Home Affairs Government o f India and is an official Commission

The Embassy of India in Moscow avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation the assurances of its highest consideration

Ministry o f Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Second Asia Department) Moscow

Copy to M inistry o f Foreign Affairs o f the Russian Federation (Consular Department) Moscow

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV t J 001

A MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS (PP) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of material immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

Deputy Secretary (Russia) Ph 23015199 Intercom 2285

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

Dr T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

T c J i h irvMUt(SOMNATH GHOSH)

Deputy Secretary Ministry of External Affairs

New Deifci

1204 2007 1113 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 1^1002

( t

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No R T I-2 pound _ A S (P P )2 0 0 7

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed by Shri Anuj Dhar under RTI 2005 - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance_of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anufpfiar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) 6t

Appellate Authority (RTI) 09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

g^py forwarded to JS(Eurasia) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - H W U(Ajal Choudhfy)

1 o 7

0 v

j N lsquoaA gt ^ 1 ^

04 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV

MOST IMMEDIATE Right to Information matter

Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division)

Please find enclosed a self explanatory note No RTI-36AS (PP)2007 dated 09 April 2007 on an appeal filed under RTI act 2005 Mission is requested to send urgently material available with it to AS-iEP-) Appellate Authority under intimation to this Division In case sending of matenal immediately through fax e-mail is not possible the same could be clarified to the Appellate Authority

2 Section in Eurasia Division is also being requested to clarify whether there are any papers Eurasia Divisionrsquos records

Date 10 April 2007

D tpu ij u su ta i J iu J o ia JPh 23015199 Intercom 228S

D r T Suresh Babu First Secretary [Political] Embassy of India Moscow [by fax]

Copy Atache (Eurasia) Eurasia Division MEA

h i 7-

_100pound 2007 1239 FAX 23013253 EURASIADIV 002

Most Immediate

Right to Information Matter Time Bound

No RTI-HiLAS(PP) 2007

Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary (PP)s Office

Sub Appeal filed bv Shri Anul Dhar under RTI 200S - Decision of the Central Information Commission

This is further to my note No RTI-30AS(PP)2007 dated 28 March 2007 requesting for correspondence between MEA and the Government of the erstwhile USSR and present day Russia regarding the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose The CIC decision on the appeal of Shri Anurbhar has now been received and as per the directive of the CIC the aforesaid correspondence with USSRRussia has to be examined urgently The information already requested on 28 March 2007 may therefore be provided to me latest by 13 April 2007 to enable me to take further action as directed by CIC ------ = = = = mdash

(Ajal Choudhry) Additional Secretary (PP) amp

Appellate Authority (RTI)09 April 2007

JS(CNV)

JZopy forwarded to JS(Eurasla) with a similar request that any papers on the above subject with the Eurasia Division may please be sent to me by 13 April

2 0 0 7 - t t U X f (Ajal ChoudMfy)

k

Buff 43402

Square C u t Raider A4 434Made in London

Blue 43403 Green 43404 Grey 43405 Orange 43406 Pink 43407 Red 43408 Yellow 43409 Mauve 43414

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