FIRST SIKH GUARDSMAN FACES THE BOOT AFTER TESTING POSITIVE FOR COCAINE

HINDUSTAN TIMES,215TH SEPTEMBER,

2018-A 22-year-old Sikh soldier, who created history by becoming the first to wear a turban during an annual parade to mark British Queen Elizabeth II’S birthday ceremony, could be kicked out from his post after he was tested positive for cocaine, according to a media report.

Charanpreet Singh Lall made headlines across the world for wearing the turban during the Trooping the Colour in June.

However, last week he failed a random drugs test at his barracks, with insiders claiming he registered “high levels” of cocaine, The Sun reported.

“Guardsman Lall has been discussing it openly in the barracks. The Guards carry out public duties at the Palace, it’s disgraceful behaviour,” a source was quoted as saying by the report.

“It is for his commanding officer to decide if he gets the boot — but anyone caught taking Class A drugs can expect to be dismissed.”

“Everyone’s shocked. He was put in the limelight and now he’s brought only embarrassment,” the report said.

Lall is one of the three soldiers who failed the test at Windsor’s Victoria Barracks.

Brigadier Christopher Coles, Head of Army Personnel Services Group, said: “I can confirm that a number of soldiers from the Coldstream Guards are under investigation for alleged drugs misuse.”