Huge row erupts over allegations against unit set up by V K Singh

NEW DELHI: A huge controversy erupted today over allegations that an intelligence unit set up by ex-Army chief Gen V K Singh misused secret funds to try and topple the Omar Abdullah government in Jammu and Kashmir with the Centre promising action if any serving or retired officer is found involved.


As the allegations in a secret Army report that the controversial Technical Services Division(TSD) was involved in unauthorised operations and financial wrongdoings triggered a political slugfest between Congress and BJP, a Union Minister on condition of anonymity said a CBI probe into the "extremely sensitive" matter is not ruled out.

The Defence Ministry said it will take a decision about action on the Army report on TSD after its careful examination while asserting it had measures in place to prevent any such undesirable activities.

Stating that the report "impinges on matters of national security", the Ministry in a statement, however, said it has not yet taken a decision on going for a CBI inquiry,

BJP questioned the timing of the report and claimed that Singh was being "hounded" for sharing the dais with its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi at the Rewari rally five dasy ago.

The report was prepared by Director General(Military Operations) Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia as part of a Board of Officers inquiry formed by Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh to review the functioning of the top secret unit set up during the tenure of his predecessor.

The report submitted to Defence Ministry in March this year is understood to have recommended a probe by an external agency like the CBI.

The Union Minister, who spoke of a possible CBI probe, said the government has taken serious note of the report.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari told reporters that the facts brought out in the report are "extremely sensitive" and if any person--retired or serving--is found involved in the matter, action will be taken.

"The contents of the report which have been mentioned in a newspaper are under active consideration of the government. If any malfeasance is found against any serving or retired officer, appropriate action would be initiated.

In J&K, political temperatures rose with parties including ruling National Conference demanding a thorough probe into the role of state minister Ghulam Hasaan Mir, who figured in reports of having allegedly received funds from TSD unit to topple the Omar government.

Mir, at present Agriculture Minister in the Omar Government, termed these reports as "blatant lies".