A Major General commanding the prestigious 6 Mountain Division has been booked for trying to sell subsidised military liquor
NEW DELHI: A Major General commanding the prestigious 6 Mountain Division has been booked for trying to sell subsidised military liquor. Major General Gur Iqbal Singh is facing a court of inquiry at Lucknow’s Army Central Command headquarters, in which the division is placed.
The scam was busted a week ago when a truck carrying military liquor was seized on its way from Bareilly to Punjab (Singh’s home state). The 6 Mountain Division is headquartered in Bareilly. Sources say military intelligence and the local police carried out the operation.
An officer handling media matters in the Army headquarters confirmed the incident, but refused to give details. DNA called the Bareilly army exchange but was told that there was nobody in the General’s house.
Singh procured several bottles of liquor from the military canteen stores and sold it in Punjab for substantial profits. The canteen sells premium brands for nearly 50 per cent less than market rates.
A bottle of rum, usually priced at Rs 250, is available for Rs 100 in the canteen stores. Market prices vary across states, but prices are high in Punjab and Kerala.
An officer is entitled to 12 bottles of liquor, a Junior Commissioned Officer to eight and an ordinary soldier to six bottles a month. Till a few months back, officers and JCOs were entitled to 16 and 12 bottles respectively, but the Army reduced the quota saying an individual wouldn't require that much liquor. Many military men do not claim their full monthly quota and a brigade of the 6 Mountain Division is now posted in Kashmir, a reason why hundreds of bottles would have been 'unclaimed' every month at the 6 Division headquarters in Bareilly.
Sources said the Major used to buy several liquor bottles from the Divisional headquarters canteen stores and horde them. When a big quantity was ready, he would sell it. It is not known for how long he has been carrying out the trade and how many bottles he sold.
Once the Court confirms the prima facie case, hearings would begin and a summary of evidence would be conducted before the findings are sent for pre-trial advice to the Judge Advocate General's branch. The JAG branch would recommend appropriate action, which might include an outright dismissal, or a court-martial.
This is the first time a General has been found indulging in such a trade. A couple of years back, a Delhi-based Brigadier was booked for illegal trade in liquor and sacked. In that case, many say, a senior officer used his influence to settle scores, by booking the Brigadier for illegal liquor trade.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}