Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 22

Six years after an Army Major posted in North Glacier died due to “thunderstorm and lightning”, the Army has claimed that the procedure for dealing with such incidents had not been laid down as these were freak and bizarre. “The Army has no manual which lays down any guidelines to be followed in such situations,” the Punjab and Haryana High Court was told.The assertion came less than a month after Major GS Cheema’s wife Sarabjeet Kaur told Justice Rajan Gupta’s Bench that she did not know whether the mortal remains shown to her were that of her husband. The “kara” (steel bangle) around the wrist of the deceased was not of Major Cheema, she had claimed, adding that her efforts to obtain a DNA report from the Army authorities had also proved futile.As the case came up for resumed hearing, Major Sidharath Singh appeared before Justice Gupta’s Bench, along with the original record, in pursuance of the order passed on the previous date of hearing.Referring to the record, he said an unfortunate incident took place at one of the highest posts in Siachen Glacier due to lightning. The oil leaking from a generator installed in the bunker caught fire and both officers were burnt to death beyond recognition. The bodies were “inextricable”. The next morning, they were brought as such to the nearest post. Thereafter, next of kin were called and remains handed over after no-objection certificate was given by them.The officer said DNA profiling was carried out. It was ensured by the authorities that remains handed over to the family were of the deceased himself. All benefits had been released to the petitioner. A “battle casualty certificate” had already been issued, entitling her to extra benefits.“Keeping in view facts and circumstances of the case, a recommendation has been made for employing her in an Army school,” the officer said. Justice Gupta accepted the explanation given on behalf of the Army authorities.