New Delhi: The fatal shooting of a junior commissioned officer (JCO) during a firing practice at the Central Ammunition Depot (CAD) in Pulgaon, Maharashtra, has raised new questions with the family of the accused Army officer seeking the intervention of a civilian court.
This development comes after Major Manan Tiwari’s mother, Gayatri Tiwari, wrote a letter to senior Maharashtra police officials seeking the transfer of the case to civilian authorities and urging that it be investigated under civilian law rather than through the Army’s court-martial system.
In a letter dated May 29 to senior Maharashtra police officials, Gayatri Tiwari demanded that the case should be transferred to civilian authorities and tried under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The incident occurred on May 15 when Subedar Major Om Bahadur Khand was killed during a firing practice at the military facility. Major Tiwari, who was present during the practice, was later taken into Army custody as an internal inquiry was ordered.
According to the FIR lodged by Lance Naik Chandraveer Singh Dhami, Major Tiwari allegedly fired multiple rounds from a 5.56 mm INSAS rifle at Khand while he was collecting empty cartridge casings
The mother questioned several aspects of the incident, including the circumstances leading to the firing and supervision of the training exercise, according to a TOI report. She also raised concerns over her son’s medical condition, saying he had been placed in a special medical category and should not have been assigned key responsibilities during the firing practice.
She also asked for CCTV footage and more evidence of personnel present at the scene. The report also claimed that the officer faced pressure while in custody and urged the implementation of safeguards against forced confessions.
Subedar Major Om Bahadur Khand had retired from regular service and was re-employed on a contractual basis. The family contends that this limits the Army’s exclusive jurisdiction over the case and warrants intervention by civilian authorities.
Senior police officials have confirmed receiving the representation and are examining the matter. According to reports, Wardha Police may approach a court seeking transfer of the case and custody of the accused officer if deemed necessary.