By Sara Nazir

Corruption in the Indian Army has surfaced as a recurrent issue, undermining public trust in Indian Armed Forces. Several high-profile scandals and cases have exposed the depth of this anomaly spread over years, raising serious questions about the ethical standards and accountability in India's most prestigious organization. Between 2000 and 2023, over 1,800 corruption cases have been recorded in Indian Armed Forces. The Indian Army alone has reported more than 1,080 cases from 2013 to 2022, underscoring the pervasive nature of the problem across all its branches. Such figures are not mere numbers but indicators of deep-rooted challenges that undermine the very fabric of an institution tasked with defending the nation's sovereignty and security.

Since the partition of the Sub-Continent in 1947, instances of corruption within Indian Army have periodically surfaced, marking various stages of the country's military history. Corruption in the Indian Army has proven to be a recurrent issue that erodes public trust. Several high-profile scandals and cases have exposed the depth of this issue, raising major questions about ethical standards and accountability in one of India's most prestigious organizations. However, in recent decades, the incidence and severity of such occurrences have particularly increased, attracting worldwide attention and criticism.

However, the statistics paint an even grim picture: between 2000 and 2023, over 1,800 corruption cases were recorded within Indian Armed Forces. The Indian Army alone reported more than 1,080 cases from 2013 to 2022, underscoring the pervasive nature of the problem across all ist branches. Such figures are not mere numbers but indicators of deep-rooted challenges that undermine the very fabric of an institution tasked with defending the nation's sovereignty and security.

Among the most infamous scandals is the Sukna Land scam of 2008, where senior generals of Indian Armed Forces were implicated in an illegal land transfer near the Sukna Military Base. That scandal not only tarnished the reputation of those involved but also sparked a national debate on the ethical standards, expected out of military leaders. The subsequent fallout from scandals involving procurement irregularities and recruitment bribery further eroded public trust besides raising serious questions about the accountability within the ranks and file of Armed Forces.

Another scam got surfaced in 2010, namely Adarsh Housing Society Scam, including top military leaders, politicians, and bureaucrats, who were reportedly scheming to acquire Mumbai properties for war widows and veterans. However, at the end of the day, flats were given to powerful people only, which sparked public outrage over the mismanagement of military lands and resources.

In a similar episode in 2012, concerns were raised that top Army officials were found involved in irregularities in the acquisition of Tatra trucks, which were meant to transport troops and equipment. The affair sparked questions about inflated pricing and bribes in defence acquisition. Similarly, in 2013, a bribery scandal erupted in which a Lieutenant General was accused of accepting payments for influencing various Army appointments. The controversy highlighted flaws in the promotion system besides raising questions about top officials' ethical standards.

The Canteen Stores Department (CSD) Scam in 2020 exposed anomalies and mismanagement in the CSD that sells items on discounted rates to military troops. Allegations included inflated pricing, bribes, and favoritism in supplier contracts thus harming the welfare of active and retired staff. Furthermore, investigations carried out by the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) in respects of recruiting scams and financial malpractices have exposed systemic flaws in the military's internal checks and balance system. The revelation that 17 Army officers were involved in a bribery scandal to influence selection procedures is a sobering reminder of how ethical failings may jeopardize the integrity of military operations and personnel management.

Former Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor's term was tarnished by charges ranging from financial mismanagement to procurement favoritism, showing flaws in leadership control. Such examples not only highlight shortcomings in governance.

In addition to above-mentioned scandals, during the Kargil War in 1999, India received widespread condemnation for a corruption scandal involving suspected payments in the purchasing of coffins for dead troops. Investigations revealed that Indian Government paid exorbitant amounts for coffins, causing public uproar and creating severe concerns about openness and accountability in defence expenditure. The affair highlighted India's susceptibility to corruption in important national security concerns, undermining its reputation.

Corruption in the military is not a result of individual instances, but rather a reflection of larger systemic flaws. The lack of severe control, along with opaque decision-making procedures, creates an environment conducive to misbehavior. Aside from such high-profile scandals, there have been other cases of financial mismanagement, embezzlement, and other sorts of corruption that have impacted the military's reputation. From embezzling billions in procurement funding to unlawfully selling guns, these crimes not only breach public confidence, but also risk national security by eroding force discipline and morale. Indian Armed Forces need to reset their moral and ethical compass on prior basis.

Author’s Bio:
Sara Nazir is currently serving as visiting faculty at the Department of Politics and International Relations, International Islamic University, Islamabad, (IIUI). She holds an MS in Strategic Studies from Air University Islamabad and her research focuses on South Asian nuclear politics, hybrid warfare, and emerging technologies.

*Opinions expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of The South Asia Times