New Delhi: Indian Naval Chief Admiral D K Joshi resigned following the recent submarine mishap occurred near Mumbai. The series of naval ship accidents that had taken place within a short span of time has raised serious questions about the overall safety maintenance of the force. So, the Naval Chief decided to resign from the position by shouldering the moral responsibility of these accidents. He is the first armed forces chief to quit since Independence.
The resignation came hours after the accident on board the INS Sindhuratna submarine in which two officers were feared dead after one of its compartments was filled with smoke following the leakage of Hydrogen gas. The ill-fated incident was during a sea trial of the submarine.
Sources said that Defense Minister A K Antony has summoned Joshi seeking an explanation for the latest accident and Joshi was deciding to resign, taking moral responsibility of the mishap.
Following the resignation of the naval chief , Defense minister met the Prime Minister and the President to make them aware of the situation. By evening, the ministry was deciding to accept the resignation and made a public announcement after asking Vice Admiral R K Dhowan to take charge as the Naval chief with immediate effect pending the appointment of a regular chief over the next few weeks.