JCO dismissed, Capt reprimanded for clash in Gurdaspur armoured unit

Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service


Chandigarh, December 27
A General Court Martial (GCM) has dismissed a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) from service for allegedly assaulting a Captain during a clash between officer and troops in an armoured regiment based near Gurdaspur. The Captain has been awarded a “severe reprimand” in a separate trial. The court martial of another non-commissioned officer directly involved in the fracas is underway.

Sources said the GCM, presided by the commanding officer of a field artillery regiment, concluded at Tibri military station near Gurdaspur last week. The court’s verdict is subject to confirmation by the convening authority. JCO Sub S Raju had faced four charges under Section 40 of the Army Act for assaulting a superior officer, abetment and instigation. He was held guilty by the court of all four charges.

The incident had taken place in 45 Cavalry at Tibri on May 29, 2010. A jawan, Lance Dafadar MR Abhilash, was allegedly thrashed by Capt Aishwarya Saxena and another officer, Capt R Ganguly, and forcibly taken away from the unit premises in a car. The jawan had been faring poorly in morning PT, resulting in a spat between the two, which later blew up.

A Court of Inquiry, presided over by Brig AK Thakur, Commander of an artillery brigade, had blamed the regiment’s commanding officer for not taking effective steps to handle the situation and attempting to conceal the incident from higher authorities. He was awarded a severe displeasure after administrative action was initiated against him.

In addition, the regiment’s Risaldar Mmajor, the senior most JCO in the unit, was among several JCOs who faced administrative action, and was awarded a severe reprimand. At least four jawans of the unit were dismissed after being tried by a summary court martial for their alleged role in the incident.

The JCOs were blamed for failing to exercise due command and control over troops, who “behaved in an unruly and undisciplined manner”, resulting in the use of criminal force by them on two Captains and two Lieutenants. They were also blamed for misdemeanor and making incorrect statements before the CoI.