The mother of Major Manan Tiwari, who fatally shot a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) at the Central Ammunition Depot in Pulgaon on May 15, has written a strongly worded letter to senior Maharashtra police officers. In the letter, Gayatri Tiwari expressed a lack of faith in the Army's court-martial procedure and demanded that the case be handed over to civil authorities for trial under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The Times of India has accessed the letter dated May 29, addressed to the Maharashtra police brass.
Background of the Incident
According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged on May 15 by Lance Naik Chandraveer Singh Dhami, Major Tiwari allegedly fired multiple rounds from a 5.56 mm INSAS assault rifle at Subedar Major Om Bahadur Khand, who was collecting empty casings. Khand died on the spot. The Army took custody of Major Tiwari and initiated its own court of inquiry.
Mother's Allegations
In her five-page letter from New Delhi, Gayatri Tiwari raised questions about the circumstances of the incident. She highlighted that her son, commissioned in the Army Ordnance Corps on March 11, 2017, had joined the Pulgaon unit only recently after posting orders from COD Agra. He had barely spent two weeks when he was assigned the firing drill. She also pointed to alleged critical lapses, including the absence of senior officers to supervise the firing practice, which violates standard operating procedures.
Gayatri Tiwari further noted that her son, placed in a special medical category due to serious health complications—including thalassaemia, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and obesity resulting from a 2017 injury during a commando course—was reportedly made in charge of the three-day firing practice despite his downgraded medical profile. She questioned the upkeep of weapons, supervisory lapses, and the exact circumstances leading to the firing, suggesting the possibility of an accidental discharge due to technical defects or improper handling.
Jurisdictional Dispute
Notably, Gayatri emphasised that the deceased Subedar Major Om Bahadur Khand was a retired soldier re-employed on a contractual basis in the Defence Security Corps. Therefore, she argued, the case does not give the Army exclusive military jurisdiction. Legal experts note that while the Army generally has primacy in matters involving serving personnel, the contractual status of the victim and allegations of procedural violations could open the door for civilian court intervention.
Coercion and Custodial Conditions
The letter also raised allegations of pressure tactics. Gayatri claimed her son was coerced into giving a confessional statement and was subjected to harsh conditions in custody, including handcuffing, denial of basic facilities, and suffering extreme heat. She also stated that the Army did not promptly inform the family about the incident; they learned about it through secondary sources.
Demands and Police Response
The mother demanded preservation of CCTV footage, weapon records, ballistic evidence, and independent recording of statements from all personnel present. She has also sought protection for her son from forced confession. While the Army is yet to hand over the case to Pulgaon police, a senior police officer told TOI, "Wardha police will now move court with this letter to seek transfer of the case and custody of the accused." Senior police officers confirmed receipt of the letter and said a thorough assessment is underway. The defence PRO in Nagpur did not respond to calls or messages.
