Brigadier faces charges after alleged sodomy

In a major embarrassment to the army, a brigadier deployed along the Line of Control in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir is facing the prospect of disciplinary for allegedly sodomising his assistant (sahayak).

In a major embarrassment to the army, a brigadier deployed along the Line of Control in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir is facing the prospect of disciplinary for allegedly sodomising his assistant (sahayak).

Sahayaks, who were earlier known as Batmans, are regular combat soldiers who are provided to officers for helping them out in doing official tasks. But there are demands to scrap the system as they are allegedly misused for doing domestic chores.

The brigadier was commanding troops in the Poonch sector along the LoC and was in-charge of the sensitive area where Pakistani ceasefire violations are frequent.

After receiving complaints about his behaviour, the brigadier has been attached to the Infantry Division for a Court of Inquiry, sources in New Delhi said. He has been forced to proceed on leave, they said.

Army Headquarters said such an incident has come to light and investigations are going on in this matter.

Officials said similar cases had taken place earlier also and officers have been sacked as such conduct is not acceptable in the armed forces.