New Delhi, Jul 4 (PTI): Defence Minister A K Antony on Wednesday ordered the immediate transfer of the Commandant of the National Defence Academy, Lt Gen Jatinder Singh, to ensure a fair investigation into the alleged recruitment scam in the prestigious training academy in Pune.

'This shifting is with a view to ensuring a free and fair investigation in the alleged bribery racket in the recruitment of Group 'C' posts in the NDA, Khadakwasla, Pune,” Defence Ministry spokesperson N Aao said here.

The Minister took the action after several employees of the academy including the staff officer of Lt Gen Singh were arrested by CBI for allegedly taking bribes.

CBI had arrested Lt Gen Jatinder Singh's Staff Officer Col Kulbir Singh along with five others for allegedly taking bribe from candidates during a recruitment drive at NDA last month.

The Defence Ministry has taken serious exception to the fact that the Staff Officer of the NDA Commandant was allegedly involved in the recruitment scam.

The in-charge of tri-services training academies including NDA--Integrated Defence Staff Chief Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha--had also met the Defence Minister over the issue.

Last week, the CBI had also arrested the NDA’s Establishment officer Suhas Shankar Waghmare over allegations that he had taken money from over 15 candidates in the alleged recruitment scam.

The CBI has alleged that Col Singh in conspiracy with the other accused had obtained illegal gratification of Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4 lakh from each candidate to give them appointment for subordinate staff like cooks, gardeners, lab attendants, library attendants and cadet orderlies.

The accused persons had allegedly taken signatures of those candidates, who had agreed to pay bribe, on blank sheets and later filled them with correct answers, it said.