Defence Ministry not in favour of CBI probe into TSD row

The Defence Ministry is understood to have disfavoured a CBI probe into the functioning of a controversial top secret intelligence unit set up by former Army Chief Gen V K Singh.
The Army Headquarters had submitted its report into the functioning of the Technical Support Division (TSD) last year and recommended a CBI probe.
The TSD was mired in a major controversy two years back after allegations that the secret unit had carried out some unauthorised operations and even tried to topple the Jammu and Kashmir government.
The Ministry is learnt to have disfavoured a CBI probe, government sources said.

The Army Headquarters had ordered a Board of Officers under former Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia, who prepared a detailed report into the functioning and actions of the TSD.
The report had asked the Defence Ministry to take action against the unit saying that it was allegedly involved in carrying out unauthorised operations.

Army sources said the force did not carry out a Court of Inquiry (CoI) itself as it did not want to be seen as taking action against its former chief.
The report submitted by the Bhatia-led committee had alleged that TSD was allegedly involved in "unauthorised operations" which may have taken place even across the border without the proper clearance from the higher-ups in the government.

The TSD was formed during the tenure of Gen V K Singh and its existence came to light in March 2012 when it was alleged that the unit had tapped the phones of Defence Ministry officials at the height of the controversy over the then Army Chief's date of birth.