Arms for private use in Army under scanner

The defence ministry on Friday informed the Supreme Court that it had asked the Army to review its court of inquiry held against those officers who were involved in selling their non-service pattern weapons to arms dealers and private persons illegally. HT reports.

The defence ministry on Friday informed the Supreme Court that it had asked the Army to review its court of inquiry (COI) held against those officers who were involved in selling their non-service pattern (NSP) weapons to arms dealers and private persons illegally.

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In an affidavit filed before the SC, hearing a PIL against the illegal gun-running racket, the ministry said though the army commander had directed administrative and disciplinary actions against the officers, the penalty wasn’t adequate keeping in mind the seriousness of the violations.

“It was also felt that procedural aspects related to the import of firearms and ammunition by army officers posted to and for the issue of NSP weapons from central ordnance depots to serving army officers for private use needed to be reviewed,” the affidavit stated.

It further added the ministry has already asked the army headquarters in February to review the procedure followed in the force to permit its officers to import arms and ammunition while posted in and for issue of NSP weapons from the depots.

The ministry has also instructed the Army to investigate the involvement of even those who were not covered by the earlier COI.