Govt promises action after army's internal probe reports misuse of secret service funds.
A huge controversy erupted on Friday over allegations that an Intelligence unit set up by ex-Army chief Gen VK Singh misused secret funds to try and topple the Omar Abdullah government in Jammu and Kashmir with the Centre promising action if any serving or retired officer is found involved. The allegations in a secret Army report that the controversial Technical Services Division (TSD) was involved in unauthorised operations and financial wrongdoings triggered a political slugfest between Congress and BJP.
However, sources said that the defence ministry was unlikely to recommend CBI probe, fearing it would open a can of worms and harm other Intelligence operations. The TSD, a clandestine Intelligence unit created by General Singh has been accused of spying on the government and embezzlement of its funds.
A four-member Board of Officers, led by Director General (Military Operation) Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia was set up to look into the allegations. It submitted its report in March.The TSD was closed down soon after General Bikram Singh took over as the chief of army staff.
“The report impinges on matters of national security and as such the government will take a decision and any further action would come only after a careful examination of the report,” defence ministry said in its official statement.
Defence sources here told dna that such an enquiry would compromise operational issues, including secrecy and would affect other Intelligence operations as well. Many secrets would come tumbling out of the closet, thus affecting and exposing Intelligence assets, not only within the country but outside as well.
“A CBI probe into such Intelligence’s covert operations might embarrass the government,” a senior official added. In fact, the defence ministry tossed the allegations back to the Army backyard, saying they had enough mechanism to handle such matters against errant officials.
Meanwhile, the issues has taken political overtones. BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman alleged that the retired General was being targeted for sharing the dais with BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi at last Sunday’s rally in Rewari, Haryana, while I&B minister Manish Tewari talked of appropriate action “if any malfeasance is found against any serving or retired officer.”
Tewari said the report was “extremely sensitive” and any person — retired or serving — involved will face action, even as the General dubbed it as “simple vendetta as some people are not comfortable with me sharing the dais with (BJP leader) Narendra Modi to espouse the cause of ex-servicemen in the country.”
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