In a significant development, which can have far reaching consequences, former Indian army chief General (Retd) V K Singh has been accused of plotting to topple Indian Kashmir’s government and block new army chief’s appointment.

New Delhi, Sept 20/Nationalturk – The former Indian army chief General (Retd) V K Singh has been accused of plotting to topple Indian Kashmir’s government and block new army chief (Bikram Singh’s) appointment during his tenure.

A report published in India newspaper, Indian Express, has accused retired Indian army chief V K Singh of misusing secret service funds to destabilise the government in Indian Kashmir by quoting army report.

A controversial Military Intelligence (MI) unit set – Technical Services Division (TSD) – was set up by former Army Chief General V K Singh in May 2010. The TSD’s existence came to light in March last year when it was alleged that the unit had tapped the phones of Defence Ministry officials.

The report claimed that Rs 1.19 crore (Indian currency) were paid from army’s secret fund to Ghulam Hassan Mir (Agriculture Minister in Indian Kashmir government) to engineer change of government in the strife torn region. The minister, however, has rubbished the charges.

According to newspaper, the unit (TSD) has been accused of using funds against top serving officers.

‘TSD also tried to block Bikram Singh’s promotion’

The report also claims that TSD also tried to block Bikram Singh (present army chief’s) promotion as Indian army chief.  “Rs 2.38 crore (Indian currency) was given to one Hakikat Singh on orders from Army Headquarters. Hakikat Singh set up an NGO named “Jammu and Kashmir Humanitarian Service Organisation (JKHSO),” which was linked to “Yes Kashmir,” another NGO which filed a PIL against then Army Commander Bikram Singh (who is now the Army Chief) in the alleged fake encounter case in Poonch region of Indian Kashmir when Bikram Singh was a Brigadier. The PIL, which was later dismissed by the court, was widely seen as an attempt to scuttle Bikram Singh’s appointment and change the line of succession in the top brass”.

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

‘CBI should investigate whole affair’

The newspaper quoted Indian government and Army sources as saying that a summary of the army report has been put up by the Defence Ministry to Defence Minister A K Antony who is understood to have instructed that its contents be brought to the notice of Prime Minister’s Office. “The report has been examined at the highest levels in the Defence Ministry and Prime Minister’s office”.

“The secret Board of Officers inquiry has recommended that India’s premier investigative agency, CBI should look into the matter,” it further stated.

Reacting to the report, senior Congress leader Rashid Alvi has said Indian government will decide if an inquiry will be conducted or not. “We want to know if General VK Singh was doing this on his own or he had the backing of some political party,” he said.

It is political vendetta: BJP

However, rightwing Hindu group BJP has rejected the report and terming it government’s political vendetta against former army chief of the country.

The media report against former Indian army chief comes at a time when he had recently shared stage with rightwing Hindu leader Narendra Modi, who has been chosen as party’s candidate for Prime Minister’s post by rightwing Hindu group BJP for next year’s parliamentary elections.

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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk India  News

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