Charged with graft, retired army general on the run

An army general facing corruption charges has become a fugitive from law to evade disciplinary proceedings ordered against him, top army sources have told HT.

An army general facing corruption charges has become a fugitive from law to evade disciplinary proceedings ordered against him, top army sources have told HT.

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The army has ordered the arrest of Major General Anil Sarup, it is clueless about his whereabouts. The absconding officer is alleged to have committed serious irregularities in procurement of stores for troops serving a United Nations’ peace mission two years back.

Major General Sarup, who retired on July 31 as the officiating commandant of College of Materials Management in Jabalpur, had been asked to report to Headquarters 9 Corps at Yol in Himachal Pradesh to face disciplinary proceedings.

This came after a court of inquiry (COI) blamed Sarup, who is from the Army Ordnance Corps, for financial
misappropriation in the purchase of generator sets, clothing and equipment for troops serving a UN mission.

A source in the army headquarters said on Thursday, “A manhunt is on to nab the absconding officer. His house in Noida is deserted. It appears the officer wants to evade disciplinary action.”

The army has invoked Section 123 of the Army Act against General Sarup to keep him within the ambit of military law for a period of three years after retirement. This means that for three years, the provisions of military law will apply to him.

Sarup’s wife is believed to have received the notice under Section 123 last week.

The army is likely to issue an “apprehension roll”, seeking the assistance of police to arrest Sarup, who could face a general court martial depending on the outcome of disciplinary proceedings.

The COI, conducted by a lieutenant general, had found that Sarup had sanctioned procurement of equipment for UN troops at costs higher than the market rates.

After going through the findings of the COI, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Chandimandir ordered disciplinary action against the officer.

The said irregularities took place when Sarup was posted at the army headquarters as additional director general, Ordnance Services.