Zeenews Bureau
Chandigarh: Major Dimple Singla, the first lady officer of the Indian Army to face court martial, was sentenced to one year rigorous imprisonment and cashiered her from service for professional impropriety.
The verdict announced on Wednesday had found her guilty of abusing her position as a public servant by accepting a bribe for professional favours.
She was charged under Section 69 of the Army Act, read with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act; and under the Army Act Section 63 for acts prejudicial to court order and military discipline.
Under the Section 63, she is accused to have suggested a defence lawyer to accused Havildar Chandran, who was facing a court martial and also for improperly visiting an Army officer — a defence officer in Chandran’s case — and asking him not to divulge details regarding the court martial proceeding to the media.
Major Dimple had allegedly abused her position by accepting a sum of Rs 10,000 from the Defence Counsel in a court martial case in which she was the Judge Advocate in November 2004.
However, the courts verdict is subject to verification by the convening authority.
The trial had started in April 2007 and witnessed a series of lengthy adjournments.
She was arrested by the Army authorities on February 1, when she failed to attend the proceedings, but was later released on the orders of armed forces tribunal.
