Spooks Silence Reputed Military Historian

Dear Friends,

It is now over about six months since I sent you my last update. Of course, some of you must be keeping abreast of the latest developments through the newspapers. The controversy concerns my book India’s External Intelligence– Secrets of the Research & Analysis Wing (RAW) that came out in June 2007. Based on a complaint from RAW, the CBI registered a FIR under the Official Secrets Act against me. They searched my house and questioned me subsequently. My plea for anticipatory bail was heard in the Sessions Court in Tis Hazari on 26 Sep. After over a dozen hearings, the case plea is still undecided. However, on 11 Apr the court has agreed to the CBI’s plea for the hearings to be held ‘in camera’. This will ensure that the media is kept out.

Another sinister development is that the CBI has filed a complaint in the court of the Metropolitan Magistrate on 9 Apr, giving out a gist of the charges against me. They followed this up with a charge sheet that was filed at 1600 hrs on 11 Apr. The next three days being holidays, I have still not got a copy of the charge sheet or the order of the sessions Court regarding in camera hearing. Hopefully, I should be able to get it on 15 Apr, when the courts open.

Some of may have read Indian Express of 10 Apr, which gives certain information given in the book that CBI considers ‘Secret’. Click link given below. Rajeev Dhawan, a senior advocate of the Supreme Court has written a forceful article in the Mail Today on 13 Apr (click active link below). He has made a very apt comment on the role of the bureaucracy.

Quote: They are not really concerned with contents of the book. They want to silence and pulverize General Singh and any body like him into submission. Government servants are like a club. The club interacts with each other. They develop friendships and animosities which are carried over into their retirement; and, who knows, perhaps into their next life. Unquote

We have seen how the bureaucrats have treated the Armed Forces in the report of the Pay Commission. What is happening to me and others like Ujjal Dasgupta is a manifestation of the same hostility and ill will that the bureaucrat harbours towards the soldier. (I was tempted to use the word Babu but desisted, not wishing to sully the memory of some of our veteran freedom fighters such Kunwar Singh and Dr. Rajendra Prasad for whom the prefix was used in British Times). There have been several instances of severe damage to national security in recent years such as the loss of computers with sensitive data in SAG, a DRDO unit; the escape of Rabinder Singh (media reports suggest that more than 60 others were part of the network); and the purchase of radio equipment of doubtful security by the SPG, brought out in my book. There are several officers named in my book who appear to be corrupt. No action has been initiated against any one in any of the cases mentioned above. The reason is not hard to fathom– soldiers are not part of the ‘club’.

I understand that we are planning a vigil at India gate on 27 April to bring out the injustice being done to soldiers. I think pay is just one of the things we should highlight before the public. What about the gradual and steady denigration of the status of the soldier since 1947; the loss of many service privileges due to lack of knowledge by the bureaucracy (priority in litigation, protection from prosecution when operating in aid to civil power, representation in court by persons other than an attorney, exemption of court fees on powers of attorney, exemption from tolls etc); the refusal to honour the war dead (there is no land for a war memorial, but there is for a police memorial) etc. I think we need to bring out all these issues before the public, highlighting the role of the soldier in maintaining the integrity of the nation not only against external threat but internal disorder. Would democracy have survived In India if the Indian soldier had emulated his counter parts in our neighbouring countries? The public must be informed of the stranglehold of the bureaucracy and how it has demoralised the soldier to such an extent that he no longer has any faith in the Government. Does it not ring an ominous bell for the future?

Regards,
Maj Gen VK Singh (Retd)

Media Coverage:
What the CBI calls Official Secrets
CBI to charge ex- RAW Officer
Stop the prosecution of Maj Gen V K Singh: Official Secrets Act should be scrapped as well
CBI Charge sheets Former RAW Officer V K Singh
Indian Intelligence : Why top officials are upset with a new book
The Blinding Curtain

Comments: The Official Secrets Act enacted ages ago is presently used to whip the recently enacted Right to Information Act out of shape. Sample India's Contradictions in the new found Information Age. Spooks and spies need a training institute to impart professionalism into the art, instead of getting confused with wine, women and money laundering.

Lessons Learnt: The Defence Forces should deter officers moving to Intelligence Spooky Agencies which is likely to seal their fate, curb their freedom under the garb of vital National Interests and made scapegoats of others folly. Even one found carrying a camera in the Airport, can be booked under the Official Secrets Act of India.