The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre has suspended three of its technical persons suspected to be involved in the radiation exposure case at its Waste Immobilisation Plant at Tarapur, near Mumbai, to facilitate departmental enquiry, a BARC official said in Mumbai today.

Chargesheets are also being framed against all the three as part of the departmental inquiry procedure, said BARC Controller Dr Gajanan Pungle.

When asked about the duration of the suspension, Pungle said, "We have certain guidelines with regard to suspension and these would be reviewed periodically. If found guilty, stern action will be taken against the accused," he added.

Three employees of WIP, one of the units of BARC at Tarapur, were allegedly exposed to radiation from a small sample bottle containing few drops of radioactive liquid on April 17 during the second/third shifts.

"The three were called for the departmental inquiry on June 21 and an official letter of suspension was issued on June 18 by BARC," the controller said, adding that the inquiry was taking place under the supervision of Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Dr Anil Kakodkar "as it is a very serious case of indiscipline".

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