CBI inquiry ordered against two senior Army officials in DA case

Confirming the same, source close to the Defence said, “The Defence Ministry has forwarded to CBI complaints against these two officers and has sought a reply”.

Allegations of bribe had surfaced in promotions to the rank of Lieutenant General after the Army Promotion Board submitted its recommendations to the Ministry. Incidentally, both involved Major Generals were recipients of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal(AVSM) for distinguished service a year ago.

The Generals are in the dock after the defence ministry asked the CBI to probe the allegation that the officers amassed wealth beyond their known sources of income.

This is first such probe ordered against serving officers by the government, India Today said.

Sources added that the promotions were approved during the tenure of former military secretary Lt. General R Bhalla (retired). Questions were also raised against Lt Gen Bhalla (Retd) regarding the bribery cases pertaining to promotions.

Sources claimed that the Ministry had in September red-flagged the promotion of certain officers. They took around 33 officers into consideration for the positions, following which they informed the ministry of the shortlisted candidates. The issue was debated intensely on social media as well.

The report said that one one of the two officers, against whom the complaints were filed, had faced a CBI inquiry regarding allegations of corruption in a project undertaken by Border Roads Organisation.

At the time, the CBI did not find enough evidence for criminal prosecution. The matter came to the Army.