(a) whether the Government is aware of fake killings for medals in the Siachen Glacier;
(b) if so, the facts and details thereof including the complaints received so far;
(c) whether the Government has constituted any court of inquiry into such fiasco;
(d) if so, the outcome thereof; and
(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to prevent such type of cases?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE)
(a) to (e): A statement is attached.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF
LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1352 FOR 15.7.2004
A complaint dated 3rd December, 2003 regarding the alleged fake
killings in the Siachen Glacier, addressed to the Chief of Army Staff, was
received from Major Surinder Singh. Based on the allegations, Army
Headquarters directed Headquarter Northern Command on 27th December,
2003, to conduct a Court of Inquiry.
The Army Headquarters has reported that the Court of Inquiry revealed
that allegations made by Major Surinder Singh against his Commanding
Officer have not been substantiated. The Court of Inquiry found that Major
Surinder Singh had leveled allegations against his Commanding Officer after
he was warned by the Commanding Officer for giving false report while
deployed in Siachen Glacier. Major Surinder Singh was also blamed for
preparing video films of fake killings on 24th August and 21st September, 2003
in Siachen Glacier while he was the Officer Commanding of a Company.
Based on the findings and directions of the Court of Inquiry, concluded
in February, 2004, disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against Major
Surinder Singh.
No gallantry awards were given on account of the said fake killings.
Requisite measures, in terms of checks and balances exist in the system,
to detect any such attempts at misreporting of incidents. The system of
monitoring operations by commanders at all levels is being further
strengthened to obviate such attempts of misreporting.