Antrix-Devas deal: Ex-Department of Space officer says secrecy was needed due to US curbs

Former Antrix Corp employee S K Das testified to the CBI that the deal with Devas Multimedia was necessary due to US technology control regimes that hindered India's access to hybrid digital communication technology. Das, who was a member of the team led by ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair in 2003 to explore the possibility of acquiring such technology from the US, stated that the US was the only country with adaptable technology.

However, due to the secrecy surrounding the technology regime, ISRO sought a service provider in the US that could facilitate access to this technology without involving the US government. Das also defended the financial terms of the lease agreement as "reasonable" and recommended it to the Minister for Finance.