Adarsh Housing scam: Another plot brews over handling of prime defence real estate in Pune

NEW DELHI: The circle of corruption in India’s defence establishment appears to be growing. Even as the Adarsh Housing Society scam brings shame to top netas and babus, generals and admirals, another controversy is brewing over the handling of prime defence real estate in Pune, which could blow up into a full-fledged scandal.

The Army southern command’s general officer commanding-in-chief , Lt Gen Pradeep Khanna, has written a strongly-worded letter to Army chief Gen V K Singh protesting against the ‘‘ impropriety’ ’ and ‘‘ mala fide intention’ ’ behind the sudden replacement of the CEO of Pune Cantonment – one of the richest in the country – by an officer of dodgy integrity.

Documents seen by TOI tell a story of strong-arm tactics being employed against outgoing CEO Rachel Koshy by director general of defence estates, Pal Saran Singh, in abruptly cutting short Koshy’s tenure after six months and bringing B A Dhayalan, a man facing a “string of vigilance cases” , in her place.

The Pune Cantonment CEO is the seniormost officer directly dealing with its real estate. Lt Gen Khanna pointed out in his letter that Dhayalan, as defence estate officer in Mumbai, was trapped in a sting operation by a TV channel. As CEO, Kirkee Cantonment (in Pune but separate from Pune Cantt), he is learned to have committed irregularities.

The move came to light even as the Adarsh scam unfolded, revealing an unseemly interest in defence land. The armed forces own prime real estate of over 7,000 sq km – more than five times the size of Delhi.