In a major embarrassment for the Army, more than 10 top officers of the ranks of Lt Gen and Major General have recently come under the scanner in a number of cases, ranging from embezzlement to sexual harassment

Defence Minster A K Antony is a worried man. The minister, who is not known to tolerate corruption easily, is seeing a growing number of officers, many in the seniormost ranks of the Army, coming under the scanner in a series of cases ranging from corruption and embezzlement to indiscipline and even sexual harassment. In the past three years, more than 10 officers of the ranks of Lt Gen and Major General have been facing allegations in different cases.

This has forced Antony to come out with repeated assurances that action would be taken against even top-ranking officers if evidence is found. In at least two cases, Antony has personally ordered inquiries to ensure that punitive action is carried out.

The image of the Army as a corruption-free institution, unsurprisingly, has been shaken with these cases.

While proceedings against the 10 top officers are at various stages, the strongest example of strict disciplinary action against a top officer was in the case of Maj Gen A K Lal, who was issued orders for dismissal by a military court in 2008 for molesting a junior woman officer. After Lal’s case came to light, Antony had to ask the then Army Chief General J J Singh to submit a report to him on the action taken.

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