NEW DELHI: The defence ministry has asked the country’s top investigation agency to probe two serving major generals, who are facing allegations of possessing disproportionate assets, government sources said on Thursday. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has not ordered a preliminary investigation into the matter yet.
Both officers were conferred the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal last year for distinguished services. The name of one of the generals had come to light last year amid allegations of corruption in a promotion-related matter – from major general to lieutenant general. He was then posted in Kolkata. The allegations of impropriety led to the defence ministry red-flagging the promotion of certain officers.
Speculation was rife last September about the role of a serving Lt general (now retired) in the promotion-related matter but the army scotched “rumours” about the officer landing in trouble over corruption charges.
The other officer whose case has been referred to the CBI is posted in army headquarters. It is learnt that defence minister Manohar Parrikar had himself looked into the matter before referring it to the CBI.
According to sources, a special promotion board had last year considered 33 major generals for three vacancies in the rank of lieutenant general and a set of names were cleared and sent to the ministry.
However, Parrikar examined the matter after a string of complaints surfaced against certain officers.
Quoting sources, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported on Thursday that one of the two officers whose case has been referred to the CBI had faced a probe some years ago over allegations of corruption in a project undertaken by the Border Roads Organisation.