Antony confirms bribe episode, faces questions on no action

Defence minister says he told Army chief to act on it, but he did not want to pursue

Facing a storm over General V K Singh’s allegation about a bribe offer, Defence Minister A K Antony on Tuesday confirmed before the Rajya Sabha that the Army chief had spoken to him about it more than a year ago. However, he turned the tables on Singh, saying the Army chief “did not want to pursue it then”.

Under intense questioning by the Opposition over why he chose not to go ahead and probe the matter, Antony said, “I acted on my judgment. If I am wrong, you may punish me. I think I have done my best.”

Antony began his address in the upper house by citing his unblemished political career since his days as a student leader in 1958 and how since then he has been particular about “probity in public life.”

Describing the details of how Singh told him orally, in one of the interactions he has had with the army chief, about retired Lt Gen Tejender Singh's bribe offer, Antony said, “He told me he did not want to pursue it. I don't know why he did not want to pursue it at that time.” Antony clarified at no time did he receive a written complaint from Singh on the basis of which he could act. He said he was “shocked” with the general’s disclosure then.

He assured the house that “action will be taken against anybody found guilty, howsoever powerful he may be”. Informing the house of the action he had taken after the army chief’s revelations became public in an interview to a newspaper, Antony said he immediately told the defence secretary to take action and order a “comprehensive CBI inquiry. CBI will inquire into everything.”

Arun Jaitley, leader of the Opposition, reposed faith in the minister, but asked him why he chose not to act on Singh’s complaint. He also cautioned the government, saying there should be a “judicious balance with respect to procurements, as the country could not be left unprepared”.

Antony said it was a challenge to tighten the system and at the same time ensure that procurement was not affected.