Chandigarh, February 7
A general court martial (GCM), trying two brigadiers for their alleged role in a liquor scam, has held them guilty of misappropriating military intelligence funds and wrongfully taking loans from a private party. They have been awarded a severe reprimand besides loss of service for the purpose of pension.
Sources at the Army Headquarters revealed that Brig R.G. Dewekar had been awarded four-year loss of service for the purpose of fixing pension, while Brig R.S. Rana has been awarded three-year loss of service. Both officers were brigade commanders in an infantry division in Bareilly, whose commander, under Major-Gen G.I. Singh, was earlier tried and cashiered by a GCM for allegedly perpetrating the scam.
The GCM, presided over by Major-Gen R.K. Sanan from Headquarters Central Command, had commenced in December and concluded this week. The court’s findings are subject to confirmation by the convening authority.
Brigadier Dewekar had faced two charges under Section 52(f) of the Army Act for intent to defraud and two alternative charges under Section 63 for acts prejudicial to good order and military discipline, for allegedly diverting Military Intelligence funds and handing them to his division commander. The court acquitted him on two charges, the sources said.
Brigadier Rana had allegedly borrowed Rs 60,000 from a private vendor, thereby violating Para 337 of the Regulations for the Army. The money was to be handed over the division commander in exchange for a cheque meant for releasing intelligence funds. His trial had concluded last week, but the court had deferred announcing the quantum of the sentence till the trial of the second officer was over.
The officers, on their part, had contended that they had only followed directions of their superior officers and were unaware of the actual use of the funds handed over to him.
Major-Gen G.I. Singh was commanding an infantry division in Bareilly, when the scam involving sale of large quantities of canteen liquor on the civilian market was unearthed by the military intelligence. During his trial, it was brought out that he used to issue cheques to his brigade commanders on the pretext of utilising the funds for certain projects or for cultivating sources and gathering intelligence. The commanders used to return the cash to him.
