Vijay Mohan

Chandigarh, November 17

A Major General on deputation to the Assam Rifles is facing disciplinary proceedings after a woman Army officer accused him of misbehaving with her. He has been attached with headquarters of the newly raised 17 Corps at Ranchi for the conduct of proceedings against him, which depending on review of charges and evidence could entail a possible trial by general court martial.Sources say the hearing of charge (HoC) was done today by the General Officer Commanding, 17 Corps, who is the accused’s commanding officer. The HoC is a procedure where tentative charges are read out to the accused against whom disciplinary action has been ordered after being held blameworthy for an offence and where he is allowed to give his defence.Sources say the woman officer had submitted a written complaint to her superior officers about the incident that had taken place in Nagaland on October 24. Following this, a court of inquiry was ordered by Headquarters Eastern Command, which was presided over the Maj Gen ST Upasani, Chief of Staff, 17 Corps.The complainant, a captain with the Judge Advocate General’s Department, had alleged the accused called her to his room late evening for some official work and misbehaved with her.The accused, a decorated infantry officer who was nearing the end of his deputation, on his part denied the allegations against him before the court of inquiry.There are four officers of the rank of Major General posted with the Assam Rifles, a 66,400-strong Central Armed Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs that is responsible for peacetime management of the Indo-Myanmar border and undertaking internal security duties in the North-East.There have been instances in the past where senior officers have been held culpable for such actions and have been proceeded against under provisions of the Army Act. The Army takes such complaints and abrasions seriously and moves swiftly to deal with such cases.

October 24 incident

• A woman officer filed a written complaint to her superior officers about alleged misbehaviour by a Major General on deputation to the Assam Rifles in Nagaland on October 24
• A court of inquiry was ordered by the Headquarters Eastern Command and disciplinary action was ordered. The hearing of charge was done on Thursday by the General Officer Commanding, 17 Corps
• The officer has been attached with headquarters of the newly raised 17 Corps at Ranchi for the conduct of proceedings against him