‘Snooped’ on conversations In March, the Army submitted a report to the MoD on the functioning of the technical support division (TSD) set up during General VK Singh’s (retd) tenure The TSD was suspected of using off-air phone interceptors to snoop on mobile conversations of key political figures The machines are mandated to be used in border areas to intercept enemy conversations In June 2012, former Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma had sought details from the Army on funds spent on pursuits ‘not exactly military in nature’ The report impinges on matters of national security and, as such, the government will take a decision and further action after a careful examination of the report. The government has measures in place to prevent any such undesirable activities. — Sitanshu Kar,  MoD spokesperson

New Delhi, September 20
The Army has sought a CBI probe against the alleged misuse of a specialised Army unit during the tenure of former Army Chief General VK Singh (retd). The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is, however, not keen on any action fearing it may spill secrets surrounding covert operations.

Sources say Defence Minister AK Antony, who is currently in hospital following a surgery, was briefed by senior Defence Ministry officials about a report submitted by the Army suggesting a CBI probe.

The government says since the report impinges on matters of national security, it will take a decision once it has carefully examined it.

General VK Singh was the Chief of Army Staff between March 31, 2010 and May 31, 2012. Sources say the government feels handing over the probe to the CBI may not bring out any new facts, and that it has the capability to handle such situations.

In March, Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia, Director General Military Operations (DGMO), had submitted a report to the MoD on the functioning of the technical support division (TSD) set up during General VK Singh’s (retd) tenure.

The Tribune had on June 4 reported that an internal Army probe into the functioning of the TSD had established misuse of surveillance equipment and recommended that the unit was not needed. The suggestion of a CBI probe emerged today.

The MoD admitted that a report had been received from the Army Headquarters on certain issues relating to one of its outfits. “The report impinges on matters of national security and, as such, the government will take a decision and further action after a careful examination of the report. The government has measures in place to prevent any such undesirable activities,” said Sitanshu Kar, MoD spokesperson.

The Army is tight-lipped but said a Board of Officers carried out the probe and all officials of the TSD were confronted with evidence.

The TSD was suspected of using off-air phone interceptors to snoop on mobile conversations of important political figures, rather than using the machines for the mandated work in the border areas to intercept enemy conversations.

The TSD came under the scanner when in June 2012, former Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma objected to a sudden and unusual surge in the use of secret funds by the Army’s Military Intelligence (MI). The Tribune had reported the matter on July 18, 2012 on how an expense of Rs 18 crore was made towards “non-military” pursuits.