Army asked to pay ‘widow’ Rs 10.5 lakh

The Delhi High Court has ordered the army to pay the ‘widow’ of an armyman a compensation of Rs 10.5 lakh.

The Delhi High Court has ordered the army to pay the ‘widow’ of an armyman a compensation of Rs 10.5 lakh.

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Naib G.N. Sharma had joined the Army in 1982 as the religious teacher of the Armed Regiment at Pathankot.

But according to his wife’s statement in court, Commander Col. Bikramjit Singh made him work at his house as his servant.

When Sharma protested, he was threatened. Even other officers did not come to his aid.

In February 1992 Sharma was “discharged” on the basis of a resignation letter forged in his name. Within months he disappeared and never returned.

Sharma’s wife Savitri moved the Delhi High Court in 1997 seeking a direction to the Army to produce her husband. With the passage of time, the court presumed him dead. Treating her as a ‘widow’, the court asked has asked the Army to pay the compensation of Rs 10.5 lakh.

Bench headed by Justice A. K. Sikri said: “Harassment meted out to Sharma and his family members led to the disappearance. It is established he was dealt with by rough hands by his superiors….The entire blame has to be borne by Col. Bikramajit Singh.