Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 6
A former disabled Lieutenant Colonel has sent a legal notice for defamation to a Lieutenant General, who retired on October 31, over views expressed by the latter on disabled soldiers and other military veterans demanding Rs 1 crore compensation for damages to reputation caused thereof.
In his notice sent through his lawyer, Lt Col Nijar Bakshi of Noida averred that in an interview given to a private news channel, Lt Gen Ashwani Kumar, who was the Adjutant General at Army Headquarters before hanging up his boots, spoke in an “irresponsible and abandoned manner” about various service subjects that were outside his purview and expressed views that were against the statements of the Defence Minister, statutory provisions and judgments of the High Courts and the Supreme Court.
The Adjutant General (AG), one of the principal staff officers to the Chief of Army Staff, is responsible for conditions of service, welfare, manpower, discipline, morale, legal affairs and fiscal matters.
Pointing out that the Lt General, on the eve of his retirement, spoke “disparagingly” about military pensioners and persons with disabilities conveying as if many such pensioners did not deserve disability benefits, the notice contends that his statements had breached the bar by contravening and challenging the authority of the Defence Minister as some of the issues were sub-judice or already being looked into by the Defence Minister.
‘Insult to veterans’
This has not only put disabled veterans to ridicule, but has also shamed the Government of India, which gives disability pension on its own as per its rules and has also been contemptuous of court orders. — Lt Col Nijar Bakshi
Disability pension row may take a legal turn
new delhi : An army veteran has threatened to sue recently retired Adjutant General Lt Gen Ashwani Kumar for the latter’s comments on disability pension received by retired soldiers.
Lieutenant Colonel Niraj Bakshi (retd), who has threatened to sue General Kumar for a sum of ₹1 crore, has claimed the comments of the former Adjutant General has caused “irreparable damage” to his reputation as a disabled soldier, a disability pensioner and an upright military veteran and model citizen.
Bakshi has sought an“unconditional apology” from Kumar for speaking in an “irresponsible and abandoned manner”.
On the day Kumar retired, he spoke to media on disability pension paid to veterans and the proposed Code of Conduct for veterans to prevent misuse which he claimed was high.
Kumar did not respond to requests for comment.
HT Correspondent
letters@hindustantimes.com
New Delhi : A veteran has threatened to sue recently retired Adjutant General Lt Gen Ashwani Kumar for the latter’s comments on disability pension received by retired soldiers. Kumar retired from the Adjutant General of the Indian Army on October 31.
The Adjutant General decides on staffing and human resources policies, benefits and facilities offered to the 1.3 million-strong Indian army
Lieutenant Colonel Niraj Bakshi (retd), who has threatened to sue General Kumar for a sum of ~1 crore, was granted disability pension by the government on retiring.
Lieutenant Col Bakshi has claimed the comments of the former Adjutant General has caused “irreparable damage” to his reputation as a disabled soldier, a disability pensioner and an upright military veteran and model citizen. Lieutenant Col Bakshi has sought an“unconditional apology” from Kumar for speaking in an “irresponsible and abandoned manner” about various service subjects and issues “outside” his purview.
On the day Adjutant General Lt Gen Kumar retired, he spoke to media on disability pension paid to veterans and the proposed Code of Conduct for veterans to prevent misuse which he claimed was high
“Take note that in case you issue an unconditional apology duly circulated in public within a period of 15 days from the receipt of this communication, this notice shall stand withdrawn, otherwise litigation shall be instituted in the contempt of Court of Law, the costs and consequences of which you would be personally liable to bear in toto,” the notice dated October 06 read. HTC