NEW DELHI (NNN-PTI): Facing a storm over Army chief's allegation about bribe offer, defence minister AK Antony has appeared to blame General VK Singh for the inaction, saying he had been asked to act but he did not want to pursue the matter for unknown reasons.
In a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha, Mr Antony confirmed that the Army chief had told him about retired Lt-Gen. Tejinder Singh allegedly offering him bribe of Rs 14 crore, which he heard with “shock”.
Admitting that he “could have acted” when Gen. Singh told him about the bribe offer, Mr Antony said as a minister “I cannot act just on a complaint...I did not get any written complaint at any stage.”
He told the House that he had ordered a CBI inquiry based on newspaper reports yesterday and promised that nobody would be spared, howsoever, powerful that person may be.
“This happened more than one year ago. That is my memory. Exact date (Army officials) knows because no one can meet the Army chief without any appointment,” the minister said on Gen. Singh's allegation in an interview that he was offered bribe for consideration of “sub-standard” vehicles and he informed the minister about it.
Recalling the incident, the minister said the Army chief had told him that “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.
With regard to questions on his own inaction in the sensational matter, Antony said: “I acted on my judgment. If I am wrong, you may punish me. I think I have done my best.”
The minister said it has been his policy to take action even on anonymous complaints but in this case there was nothing in writing. He was responding to questions by Opposition members as to why he did not act despite the matter being brought to his notice by none other than the Army chief.
The minister also said he cannot ignore even an anonymous complaint. “I am very clear. That is my approach...it is my priority. If a written complaint, even if anonymous, was received, I used to forward it for inquiry,” he said.
Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley said Opposition did not question the minister's integrity but wondered why neither Antony nor the Army chief took any action on the development that took place in September last.
“Is this an issue on which both of them should have put blinkers on their eyes and not inquired into the matter at all,” Jaitley said, when the subject matter was even orally brought to the notice of defence minister by the Army chief. Jaitley said Opposition was with him if he wanted to “cleanse” the system but there should be a judicious balance with respect to procurements as the country could “not be left unprepared”.
The CBI, meanwhile, is likely to ask for a formal complaint from the Army chief to swing a 'sub-standard' defence deal.
Agency sources today said action would be initiated after getting a formal complaint from Gen. Singh.
They said besides the complaint, he would also have to provide other details like date of meeting with the lobbyist, a possible witness list and supporting documents among other details in the case.
The sources said the agency has not registered any formal inquiry in the case so far and any action would be initiated after a formal communique from the Gen. Singh is received.
They said they have received a “reference” from the defence ministry to probe the matter and it has been processed as per the laid down procedure. The agency sources said a preliminary inquiry or an FIR could be registered soon after completion of the procedural requirements. -NNN-PTI
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