Not surprisingly the controversy created by the media exposure and its subsequent official confirmation of the alleged misuse of the Technical Services Division (TSD) by former Army Chief General VK Singh is expected to snowball into a major national crisis. But the crisis may not evolve as those who leaked the information might imagine.

According to The Indian Express that published the report General Singh had conveyed a warning that if they went ahead and published it “they will get it in the neck”. General Singh reportedly told the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency that anyone recommending a probe into the functioning of TSD was being nonsensical because its operations were meant to be secret.

General Singh might have enlightened the public a little more. The mere fact that the inquiry into the functioning of TSD was “secret” suggests that the TSD operation was not only secret but probably “top secret”. If that is the case the consequences for the government as well as for media outlets utilized by the government could be very serious.

In that event even the existence of TSD should never have been publicized. Further, if there is exposure of the actual working of the top secret unit, leaking information about it may well be considered treasonable under law, regardless of whether infromation is true or false. It involves national security. Such information can help the nation’s enemies. Even knowledge of the existence of TSD can help the nation’s enemies.

Did the government factor this aspect into its calculations before rushing to the media with its leaks? The last on this issue has not been heard. Events thus far may be in fact just the start of a crisis that could traumatize the system.