The MoD probe report commends two officers who it says were the only ones who stood up for the truth.
The Defence ministry’s inquiry report into the Adarsh housing scandal has indicted 10 top officers for their dubious role but has also commended a Brigadier and a defence estates officer.
The report says that the inquiry committee could find only two people in the entire system who stood up for the “truth”.
SAURAV RAY, the Defence Estates Officer, Mumbai: Steadfastly and repeatedly opposed the proposed transfer of land invoking public interest and security, drew attention to the alienation of prime land, and sought withdrawal of the NOC. Could not get support as all those in the Army at a senior level and the state administration were beneficiaries of Adarsh, and his own superiors did not deem it fit to back him.
Brig. M.K.V. PANICKER, Commander, Mumbai Sub Area: Appreciated and supported the stand of the DEO Ray in trying to prevent the transfer of the land to ACHS, and asserted the unquestioned possession of the Army on the land. Brig. Panicker’s stand remains the only instance from 2000 to 2009 of a senior services officer dealing with the subject taking a position in writing in the Army’s interest against the land alienation proposal.