Reports claiming the existence of a tape in the Army bribe scandal has emerged with former Army officer telling news channels that it's 'a voice of a man who says army chiefs before V.K Singh have accepted money'.
According to Colonel (Retired) RSN Singh the 'gentleman is heard offering bribe and telling the Chief that chiefs before you have taken bribes and chiefs after you will take bribes. So why don't you fall in line'.
"And then I'm told that General V.K. Singh can be heard shouting on this fellow that you get out of my office before I do something else to you," said the colonel.
This tape is now reportedly in the custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation - who've been brought in by Defence Minister A.K. Antony to probe allegations of the claim.
Making a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha, Antony responded to questions as to why he did not act on the allegation by saying that he had not received any complaint from the army chief in writing.
He told the House that after Gen Singh's allegation appeared in the media on Monday, he had ordered a CBI inquiry based on newspaper reports.
"This happened more than one year ago. That is my memory. Exact date they (army officials) know because no one can meet the Army chief without any appointment," Antony said.
Recalling the incident, the minister said the Army chief had told him that one retired General Tejender Singh met him and offered Rs 14 crore bribe.
"I was shocked... It took me one to two minutes to regain my composure. Then I told him to take action but he told me I do not want to pursue it. I don't know why he did not want to pursue it at that time," Antony said.
He assured the House that action will be taken against the guilty, however powerful they may be.
"I will take action, nobody will be spared. If anybody is found guilty, whoever he is, however powerful he may be, I will take action," Antony said.