M A I N   N E W S

Two Brigadier-rank officers booked for harassing junior

Jaipur, December 30
Six Army officers, including two of Brigadier rank, have been booked by the Ajmer Police for allegedly harassing a lieutenant colonel and trying to prove him mentally ill after he raised his voice against certain irregularities.

Lt Col Arun Kumar of Composite Artillery Brigade in Nasirabad Cantonment alleged that his superiors conspired and tried to prove him mentally ill after he complained against certain irregularities and corrupt practices by the senior officers of the brigade.

Following a court's directive, an FIR was lodged against Brigadier AK Ganguli, Commander of the Brigade, his deputy Col Lalit Agnihotri, Col Rohit Jha, Military Hospital Nasirabad’s Commander Brigadier Sanjeev Vaspyan, Medical Officer Maj SV Rekha and officiating Registrar Maj Gurmendra Singh on December 19.

Defence spokesperson Col S D Goswami said a court of inquiry has already been initiated. "The Army has already instituted a court of inquiry to ascertain the facts. The military chain of command is fully aware of the incident," he said. In the complaint, 54-year old Arun Kumar alleged that he found misuse of funds and other corrupt practices in the brigade and raised a voice against it, but this invited adverse action against him and the Brigade Commander and his deputy conspired against him.

After the complaints, the Brigade Commander allegedly threatened the colonel that he would not be able to continue his service in the Army. On May 17, the Brigadier issued him a notice stating he was mentally ill, following which he was admitted to the military hospital where, Arun alleged, Brigadier Ganguli conspired with the military hospital’s Commander to prove him sick. He was also harassed in the military hospital, he alleged. — PTI

‘Whistleblower’ Colonel

* Lt Col Arun Kumar of Composite Artillery Brigade in Nasirabad Cantt alleged he found misuse of funds in the brigade and raised a voice against it

* This, he says, invited adverse action against him and the Brigade Commander and his deputy conspired and tried to prove him mentally ill

* An FIR has been lodged against six officers: Brigade Commander Brigadier AK Ganguli, his deputy Col Lalit Agnihotri, Col Rohit Jha, Nasirabad Military Hospital Commander Brigadier Sanjeev Vaspyan, Medical Officer Maj SV Rekha and officiating Registrar Maj Gurmendra Singh