Disciplinary Proceedings for 20 Army Officers in Kapurthala Recruitment Scam
In a significant development concerning an ongoing Army recruitment scam, a Major General and approximately 20 other officers are reportedly facing disciplinary actions, including potential court martial. These proceedings are linked to alleged irregularities at the Service Selection Centre in Kapurthala.
The Tribune has reported that the senior officer in question previously led the Service Selection Centre at Kapurthala, where investigations into alleged misconduct in the selection of officer candidates are underway. The Army has reportedly invoked Section 123 of the Army Act, 1950, on the officer's last day of active service, a measure that permits continuation of disciplinary proceedings post-retirement.
The case involves accusations that candidates were fraudulently cleared after being initially rejected on medical grounds. Allegations suggest that the Review Medical Board facilitated corrupt clearances, with bribes reportedly ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹10 lakh per candidate. It was also reported that a jawan maintained lists of medically rejected candidates who could be approached for illegal facilitation.
This situation traces back to a 2021 CBI investigation into suspected bribery and corruption in Army recruitment via Service Selection Boards. At that time, the CBI had filed cases against Army personnel and civilians concerning purported irregularities at various SSB centres, including Kapurthala. The investigation included searches across 30 locations in several cities, yielding incriminating evidence.
According to The Tribune, the Major General was assigned to Headquarters Delhi Area in May 2026, with other associated serving and retired officers being attached to different formations for further disciplinary actions. Additionally, personnel below the officer rank are reportedly also facing repercussions in this matter.
Investigations have revealed some alleged payments made through digital transactions, including UPI transfers to the family members of the accused personnel. However, establishing cash payments allegedly involved in the case has proven more challenging via banking channels.
This development signals a crucial step in the Army's internal disciplinary actions in a case that has been under scrutiny for several years. The invocation of Section 123 of the Army Act is noteworthy as it allows proceedings against individuals who are no longer under the Act, provided the alleged offense was committed during their service period.
Most of the identities of the Major General and other officers involved in the proceedings have not been publicly disclosed in recent reports. The case is expected to advance through the military justice system, where formal charges, evidence, and responsibilities will be scrutinized as per the established processes.
The case has renewed focus on the critical need for transparency and integrity in the officer selection process. Service Selection Boards are instrumental in identifying future leaders of the Indian Armed Forces, making any allegations of corruption within such a system a serious concern, impacting institutional trust and military discipline.
