Didn't understand import of statement: Singh on bribe offer

Army chief Gen VK Singh, who has claimed that he was offered a bribe of Rs 14 crore for clearing a 'sub-standard' procurement order, has said he could not understand the import of the statement and that is why he did not act against the person who made it.

"If a person who has just retired a few days ago tells you that you will get this if you do that thing and when you have never heard something like this, you would be shocked.

"I did not understand what he was saying and asked him to leave and then informed the Defence Minister about it," he told news website 'Chauthi Duniya'.

Reacting to his interview to an English newspaper, the Congress criticised the Army chief, saying he should have filed an FIR against the person who had offered the bribe.

The BJP also faulted the government for not taking any action on the Army chief's complaint in this regard to Defence Minister AK Antony.

Asked why he did not get the lobbyist arrested by the police immediately, Gen Singh said, "I think it would have been better had I complained against him. The way it was said, I could not understand what he was saying.

"He was just saying that if this file is cleared, this much amount will be paid. Everyone takes it what is your problem. It was not like he was giving me bribe in my hand. This was an indirect method and that is why no arrest was made."

On the issue of corruption in the Army, Gen Singh said some wrongdoings have been going on in the force for quite some time now and a "big surgery" is required to remove the "cancer" which will take some time.