The Hindu : National : Soldier dismissed for misconduct

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 28, 2004

National

National

Soldier dismissed for misconduct

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR, DEC. 27. The Army today dismissed a soldier, found involved in the alleged rape of a 60-year-old woman at Sallar Sheikhpora on December 20, following recommendations by a summary court martial.

The Defence spokesman, Lt. Col. V. K. Batra, said the authorities carried out a joint inquiry involving civil and police administration to investigate the allegations of rape.

The findings of the medical examination of the victim and the inquiry ordered by Army proved that the allegations of rape were false and malafide, he said.

However, there was sufficient prima facie evidence to prove that the soldier had indulged in misconduct, which was not in keeping with the traditions and ethos of the disciplined rank and file of the Army and was in violation of Army's code of conduct, said the spokesman.

Lt. Col. Batra said taking serious view of the misconduct, the soldier was tried by a summary court martial as stipulated under the Army Act.

All the legal proceedings were conducted and soldier dismissed with one year rigorous imprisonment in civil jail.

The soldier, whose identity was not disclosed, has been handed over to civil authorities for execution of the sentence.

People in Sallar, which falls in the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's Pahalgam constituency, had strongly protested over the "rape" by troopers of 3 Rashtriya Rifles.

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