Lt Gen forced to resign following sexual abuse charges

NEW DEHLI: In a major embarrassment for the Indian Army, a Lieutenant-General has been forced to resign following allegations of sexual harassment.

Army sources told the Press Trust of India on Thursday that Lt-Gen A K Nanda, the Engineer-in-Chief, was asked to resign by Army Chief Gen V K Singh after a complaint that he molested the wife of his technical secretary during a visit to Israel.

Lt Gen Nanda has already put in his papers, sources said. He is the senior-most Army officer to face such action over sexual misconduct charges.

Nanda and his team had gone to Israel along with their families, officials added.

Nanda had only about a year ago taken over as the Engineer-in-Chief and had earlier served as the Director General of the Border Roads Organisation.

Nanda’s technical secretary, who had expressed his displeasure and unwillingness to work under Nanda, has been posted to Bhopal. When Nanda’s office was contacted, his staff refused to speak on the matter.

Nanda was not available for comments.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 4^th, 2010.