In June this year, Charanpreet Singh Lall- an Indian-born British Sikh had shot to international fame when he became the first Guardsman in the history of the UK to wear a turban at the annual ‘Trooping the Colour’ ceremony to mark Queen Elizabeth II's birthday.
However, the 22-year-old who not so long ago was hailed a hero has allegedly tested positive for cocaine after a random drugs test at Windsor’s Victoria Barracks last week, reported The Sun.
"Guardsman Lall has been discussing it openly in the barracks. The Guards carry out public duties at the Palace, its disgraceful behaviour," a source was quoted as saying by The Sun.
Mr Lall is now reportedly facing expulsion from the UK Army along with two other guards who have also failed the drug test.
The country's Ministry of Defence said a positive drug test can result in expulsion from the Army.
"I can confirm a number of soldiers from the Coldstream Guards are under investigation for alleged drugs misuse,” said Brigadier Christopher Coles, head of army personnel services group.
According to a Freedom of Information (FOI) response released by the ministry, a total of 300 soldiers including Army Reservists tested positive after the compulsory drug test between January to June last year, out of which 170 were discharged.
Mr Lall, who joined the Army in 2016, was born in the north Indian state of Punjab and had migrated to Britain with his family when he was just an infant.
After the ceremony, he had expressed pride at being the first Sikh to have walked in the parade wearing a turban and hoped that it would be looked upon as a “new change in history.”
"I hope that more people like me, not just Sikhs but from other religions and different backgrounds, that they will be encouraged to join the Army,” Mr Lall had said in an interview with the BBC.
Mr Lall had worn a black turban instead of the ceremonial hat characteristic of the British regiments during the annual ceremony to honor the official birthday of the monarch.
