New Delhi:
The Indian Army has sought the government's permission to initiate a formal probe against Assam Rifles Director General Lieutenant General Rameshwar Roy on charges of spending regimental funds of the Paramilitary force on his wife's clothing, hair dressing and other gifts.
The Defence Ministry, in turn, has forwarded complaints in this regard against Roy to the ministry of home affairs, under which Assam Rifles functions in the northeastern states in a counter-insurgency role.
"We have got some complaints and we have forwarded the matter to the home ministry for further action," Defence Minister AK Antony told reporters in response to a question on the alleged misuse of funds and a formal probe against Roy.
Meanwhile, Defence Ministry sources said Army Chief General VK Singh has written to Home Secretary RK Singh demanding the repatriation of Roy, a serving army officer, to his parent force.
The army headquarters, the sources said, had documentary evidence that the officer spent at least Rs 23,000 of regimental funds of Assam Rifles for personal expenses, especially on his wife.
An initial probe conducted by the army headquarters had established the authenticity of the documents.
As and when he is sent back to the army, Roy is all set to face a formal court of inquiry.