It emerged that four others — all brigadiers —may have been involved in the illegal sale of subsidised military liquor.
NEW DELHI: Even as the government placed 14 senior military officers under investigation for corruption, it emerged that four others — all brigadiers —may have been involved in the illegal sale of subsidised military liquor.
The four brigadiers’ role became known when the army was examining the involvement of Major General Gur Iqbal Singh Multani, top officer of their division, in the massive sale of military liquor in the open market.
Multani, general officer commanding of the Bareilly-based 6 Mountain Division, was arrested last year for illicitly selling several truckloads of liquor from his division. He was suspended after a court of inquiry indicted him.
Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told Parliament that disciplinary action against the brigadiers would be initiated after proceedings against Multani conclude.
The number of senior military officers facing investigation for corruption is the highest in years. These cases undermine the claims of probity often made by the military.
This week, the government told Parliament that 14 senior officers, including a lieutenant general and four major generals, are facing inquiry in corruption cases. Lt General SK Sahni, director general of supplies and transport, is one of them.
A court of inquiry was ordered against him for alleged irregularities in a contract to supply meat to the army’s Northern Command. Sahni got a stay from the Delhi high court, but the Supreme Court vacated it.
Major General KTG Nambiar is being investigated for various wrongdoings, including suspect land deals, committed during his tenure in Meerut.
Proceedings against Major General LK Chopra were initiated for alleged impropriety in the procurement of digital cameras and IT-related equipment for the army. He has got the proceedings stayed by the Delhi high court.
The latest embarrassment for the army stems from the case of Brigadier SS Rao, against whom a general court martial opened on May 9 in relation to the infamous fake killings of militants in Assam in 2000.
Brigadier Rao and some of his subordinates, including Colonel HS Kohli, apparently smeared people with ketchup and made them pose as slain ultras. The fake encounters were recorded to win gallantry awards.
Five navy officers also figure in the list of corrupt functionaries. Most feature on the list for their involvement in corruption in procuring items for the Mumbai-based Western Naval Command.
Earlier, the Tehelka tapes had ensnared a major general and a brigadier against whom action was initiated.
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