LONDON(TIP): The 22-year-old Sikh soldier Charanpreet Singh Lall, 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.
Singh made headlines across the world for wearing the turban during Trooping the Color in June.
However, last week he failed a random drugs test at his barracks, with insiders claiming he registered “high levels” of cocaine, according to media reports.
“Guardsman Lall has been discussing it openly in the barracks. The Guards carry out public duties at the Palace, it’s disgraceful behavior,” a source was quoted as saying by the report.
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.”
Mr Lall, who was born in Punjab, moved to the UK with his family as a baby. He later joined the British Army in January 2016.
He hit the headlines in June after he made history as part in the 1000-strong ceremony marking the Queen’s 92nd birthday.
While Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her actual birthday on April 21, the Trooping of the Color ceremony takes place on any Saturday of June.
The ceremony has commemorated the birthday of the sovereign for more than 250 years and also functions as a display of army drills, music and horsemanship.