Listen to this article:

Chandigarh: The recent halving of a retired Indian Army officer’s monthly pension by military fiat over largely unproven charges of “grave misconduct” has, yet again, reinforced a growing climate of apprehension among armed forces veterans over questioning or commenting upon enduring service shortcomings, systems and procedures.

According to an Indian Express report on Saturday, the pensionary benefits of retired Col Amit Kumar of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) branch were reduced by 50% from April 2026 onwards by the Adjutant General’s Branch at Army Headquarters in New Delhi. Responsible for the army’s overall administration, the latter had cited multiple charges of post-retirement misconduct against this officer, several of which remain under adjudication.

The news report further revealed that Col Kumar’s alleged transgressions, according to the army authorities, included interference in official Court of Inquiry proceedings, defamatory statements against senior officers, violations of service-related protocols and pending criminal complaints registered against him. The official notice served to Col Kumar last year had further ominously emphasised that continued pension payments to all service personnel were subject to “future good conduct”, but had declined to elaborate.

Also read: Veterans Slam Govt’s Decision to End Tax Exemption For Superannuated Soldiers Receiving Disability Pension

In response, the penalised officer has accused the Adjutant General’s Branch of failing to investigate his alleged harassment by senior officers, of suppressing evidence and of intimidating complainants. He has further challenged the proceedings against himself, arguing that all the charges are unproven and that due process safeguards under........

© The Wire