Brigadier's promotion debarred for 3 years

Cleared for promotion to the rank of major general, a brigadier has been punished with a 'severe displeasure' by the Army after facing a Court of Inquiry for allegations of molestation and drawing of excess liquor from the canteen.

A CoI was ordered by the Army against Brigadier Bhupinder Singh after receiving an anonymous letter alleging molestation charges against him in 2009, Army sources told PTI in New Delhi.

The letter was received a week after the officer was cleared for promotion to the rank of the major general and his elevation to the higher-rank was put on hold.

The Army had levelled 18 charges against him in the CoI, including those of drawing excess liquor from the Canteen Stores Department during his tenure as the commandant of the Kumaon Regimental Centre near Nainital.

Singh, who was attached to an army formation in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, was also facing the charges of violating "good order and military discipline" and attempt to defraud under the Army Act.

On the completion of its probe, the CoI submitted the report to the Lucknow-based Central Command recommending action against Singh.

After seeking legal advice and going through the CoI, the Central Army Commander gave 'severe displeasure' to the officer. Under the Army Act, an officer punished with 'severe displeasure' is debarred from getting promotion for three years.