A news website conducted a sting operation last month which was related to the ‘Sahayak’ (orderly) system in the Indian Army. It can be seen in the video that army soldiers were performing duties of servants, such as taking officers’ kids to school and walking their dogs. There was a huge uproar against the Sahayak system, which is a legacy of British era.
Roy Mathew (33), who was a gunner, was also seen in the video and on Thursday, his dead body had been found hanging in an abandoned barrack in Deolali Cantonment, Maharashtra, under suspicious circumstances.
The army is calling it a suicide case but the family of the gunner has demanded an inquiry of the conditions that led to the death of Roy, as they feel that there is a foul play. The family is suspicious of Roy’s manner of death as he called his wife, Fini, on Sunday and said that he had made a big mistake, indicating towards the interview that he gave to the website. He was promised by the website that his identity wouldn’t be disclosed but as per Fini, Roy told him that he had been recognized by his seniors. Fini also said that Roy hated doing such household chores.
On the other hand, the defence ministry is of the opinion that it “may be a result of the series of events which were triggered by media personnel managing to videograph the deceased by asking leading questions on his duties as a buddy without his knowledge.”
They further added that Roy might have felt guilty after portraying a wrong image of his seniors.
This is what the brother of Roy, John Mathew, told, “The CO (commanding officer) informed us that a body similar to that of Roy has been found and it was shifted to a hospital for post-mortem. Other than this we haven’t received any other information.”
Even when Roy’s family contacted the Nashik District Administration regarding Roy’s death, they were told that no communication from the army has been made in this regard.
As per the sources, an inquiry was set up after the sting operation was uploaded online and Roy was also under the scanner of this inquiry panel. However, since Feb 25, he had been missing from his unit.
Now it will also be investigated as to who was adjoined for the “buddy duties” with the Colonel rank officer. One more question which arises in our minds is whether Roy was tortured or harassed after the video was uploaded. A police source said that Roy was questioned by many officers as the video went viral very soon.
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The source further added, “He had come under huge pressure.” When the army was contacted to comment on the matter, it said that Roy had been “AWOL (absent without official leave)” within 24 hours when the video was released.
As per a sr. police officer, Srikant Dhivare, this is indicated by Roy’s diary, “We have recovered a diary and a letter…he was feeling bad about taking names of seniors and has said sorry to some of them.”
As of now, an “accidental death” case has been lodged by cops who have asserted that the reason of his death can be confirmed by forensic tests only.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE!
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