VK issue: Clear the air
The allegations against former Army Chief General V.K. Singh are either extremely serious or they are laughable, depending on whether they will be established by an independent inquiry. Since the Supreme Court has led us to believe that the CBI is a “caged parrot”, a court-monitored inquiry is in order so that the air is cleared and no aspersion is cast on the apolitical character of the Indian Army.
An internal Army investigation conducted by a Court of Officers has charged the former Chief with creating a monster snooping body called the Technical Services Division which was used by Gen. Singh to topple the Omar Abdullah government in Kashmir, besides a host of other undesirable and illegal activities. Such astounding allegations have a bearing on the character of our Army and need to be dispassionately probed.
We cannot take the Army’s or the government’s word for it. There is scope for a potential conflict of interest as the former Chief has been making anti-government noises and has hobnobbed with high-profile Opposition figures. Nevertheless, it would not do for the government, the BJP or the retired officer himself to seek to politicise the issue. The status of the Court of Officers is not clear and its findings may not be part of the official record. As such, an RTI query may not yield answers. In a sensitive case such as this, the apex court could take suo motu notice.
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