CBI to seek formal complaint from Army chief
New Delhi: Defence minister AK Antony said on Tuesday he had asked General VK Singh to take action against the alleged middleman, a former army officer, who had offered him a bribe but the army chief did not pursue the matter for unknown reasons.
Antony told the Rajya Sabha he was shocked when the chief informed him that “retired Lt Gen Tejinder Singh” had offered him a bribe.
“I was shocked…Then I told him (the chief) to take action but he said he did not want to pursue it. I don’t know why…,” the minister said.
In a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha, Antony confirmed that the Army Chief had told him about retired Lt Gen Tejinder Singh allegedly offering him bribe of Rs 14 crore, which he heard with “shock”.
The Minister responded to questions as to why he did not act on the allegation, saying he “could have acted” but did not do so because he had not received any written complaint.
He told the House that he had ordered a CBI inquiry based on newspaper reports yesterday and promised that nobody would be spared, howsoever, powerful that person may be.
“This happened more than one year ago. That is my memory. Exact date they (army officials) know because no one can meet the Army chief without any appointment,” Antony said on Gen Singh’s allegation in an interview that he was offered bribe for consideration of “sub-standard” vehicles and he informed the minister about it.
Recalling the incident, the minister said the Army Chief had told him that “one retired General Tejender Singh” met him and offered Rs 14 crore bribe.
Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to ask Army chief Gen. V.K. Singh for a formal complaint in connection with his allegation. (Agencies)
