Defense Minister Quits in Tape Scandal

Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes resigned as a corruption scandal involving a fake arms deal secretly filmed by journalists shook the government.

Fernandes said the allegations against him were “completely false” and suggested that they had been made in order to undermine national security and morale.

The scandal erupted this week when the Tehelka.com Internet media company publicized hidden-camera videos from a sting operation that apparently showed public figures, army officers and bureaucrats accepting money and discussing kickbacks.