Brigadier, Lt Col cashiered, get jail for selling off salvage

Indian Military Veterans

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 5

A Brigadier has been cashiered from service and awarded two-year rigorous imprisonment by a general court martial for alleged misappropriation and illegal disposal of thousands of tonnes of salvage (items no longer in use) during his tenure as Commandant of the Central Ordnance Depot (COD), Agra.

Besides, a Lieutenant Colonel, who was in charge of the salvage section, has also been cashiered and awarded one-year rigorous imprisonment, while two others, a Colonel who was the deputy commandant of COD and the depot's security officer, a Captain, have been awarded loss of seniority for their role in the matter.

The GCM presided by Major General Suresh Gupta, General Officer Commanding, Lucknow sub-area, concluded today. The GCM's findings and sentence are subject to confirmation by the convening authority.

Six charges under Sections 52 (f), 63 and 69 of the Army Act pertaining to conspiracy, fraud and violation of good order and discipline had been leveled against the accused. The charges included allowing private contractors to lift thousands of tonnes of salvage from the COD, creating fake vouchers and fabricating documents and board proceedings to cover up their deeds, and intimidating witnesses to give false statements before the court of inquiry. The Brigadier also faced two additional charges under Section 57 for making false declarations before high-ups in official reports.

While the GCM held the Brigadier, the Lieutenant Colonel and Captain guilty of all charges on which they were tried, the Colonel was acquitted of the four charges of conspiracy and fraud and held guilty of two charges for violation of good order and military discipline.

All four officers had pleaded not guilty to the charges against them and had contended that a motivated case was made out against them.

A ourt of inquiry to investigate into allegations of impropriety had held the commandant of the COD, along with the other officers blameworthy of misappropriation.