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Srinagar: The Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) has upheld the Indian Army’s decision to award ‘severe displeasure’ to Brigadier P. Acharya, who was commanding a Rashtriya Rifles (RR) battalion when three civilians were allegedly killed during interrogation, following a militant ambush in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)’s Poonch district in December 2023.

In its order pronounced on August 20, the Chandigarh Bench of the AFT – comprised by Justice Sudhir Mittal and Lt Gen Rambir Singh – found no illegality or procedural violation in the action taken against the commanding officer (CO) and declined to interfere with the army’s decision.

The tribunal observed that the CO of the concerned RR battalion had directed a company commander to adopt “slightly harsh” methods during questioning. It also found that Acharya had himself displayed anger, assaulted a suspect and failed to exercise adequate command and control to ensure restraint by officers serving under him.

The AFT pointed out that the circumstances following the ambush, including the deaths and beheading of two army personnel, could understandably have generated intense emotions among troops.

“In a situation as in this case, troops involved in follow-up operations faced a dilemma. Having lost their brothers-in-arms, and that too in a brutal manner, made their blood boil and development of emotions of revenge is quite natural. On the other hand is discipline, instilled by rigorous training, commanding them to exercise restraint and scrupulously follow plans to trace the culprits. Even in war, the Indian soldier is known for his discipline and adherence to the Geneva Conventions,” the bench observed.

However, it held that such emotions........

© The Wire