Pulgaon firing case: Army major to face court martial before police proceedings

NAGPUR: A court of inquiry is set to evaluate evidence against Major Manan Tiwari before initiating a court martial for allegedly shooting a junior commissioned officer at the Central Ammunition Depot (CAD) at Pulgaon in Wardha district during routine practice on May 15.

If convicted, Tiwari will face punishment from Army while Wardha police will have to incorporate the information in its chargesheet and logically terminate the probe from its end, after informing the judiciary and seeking permission.

Major Tiwari is currently in Army custody. Police may have to wait and complete FIR formalities but without custody. Sources said police may have to file a chargesheet after the court martial is completed. "We have already sent seized materials to Regional Forensic Science Laboratory. We will ascertain our role regarding the probe after Army's procedure is over," said a senior police officer.

On May 15, during a routine practice at the CAD firing range, Major Tiwari allegedly opened fire on Subedar Major Om Bahadur Khand, a 56-year-old Junior Commissioned Officer of the Defence Security Corps. Khand was collecting empty bullet casings when he was shot from extremely close range with a 5.56 mm INSAS assault rifle. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds, including a fatal shot in his skull.

Wardha police have registered an FIR for murder at Pulgaon police station based on the statement of eyewitness Lance Naik Bir Singh Dhami. An officer said as per the provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Army can conduct its court martial and complete trial proceedings before handing over the accused to police.

The incident at CAD, Pulgaon, Asia's largest ammunition depot, has raised questions about range safety protocols and discipline during live firing exercises. The legal wrangle between the Army and police over custody and investigation added a twist to the episode.

Both the Army and police are maintaining coordination to ensure a fair and transparent process while respecting military legal requirements. The case is being closely monitored by senior officials of Army and police.