An army officer has blown the bugle against prevailing corruption in his department and staged dharna outside the main gate of Shivalik division of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at Rishikesh. Although Army officials managed to admit him in Military Hospital (MH), Dehradun, stating that he is not medically fit, his protest has left several questions unanswered.
Talking to The Pioneer, Shivalik Project head Brig KK Rajdan has outrightly rejected all the allegations made by Maj Sachin. later, he said that Maj Sachin did all this to avoid court of enquiry, which was pending against him. Attempts to reach Maj Sachin for comments proved unsuccessful.
Brig Rajdan said that currently a court of enquiry was pending against Maj Sachin; so he was attached to Shivalik project. His enquiry was scheduled to hold on March 11 and he sought leave so he was seeking approval from Heerak counterpart because he came here on depute merely 20 days ago. Brig Rajdan gave enough hints that Maj Sachin was mentally ill. The BRO builds and maintains roads leading to border areas and is supposed to rebuild the damaged road leading to Char Dham, especially Kedarnath.
What is significant is that a Major rank officer has made headlines by sitting in protest against the corruption prevailing in BRO. Maj Sachin Khandangle, who was appointed in Heerak Project (STF) of Kumaon division, has alleged that corruption is prevailing in BRO. They have been selling diesel and cement in bordering areas of Nepal, he has alleged. Taking cognisance on the prevailing corruption, he had informed Deputy Director General (DDG) vigilance of BRO on January 28, 2014, but they attached him to the Shivalik project in place of taking action against the guilty. He further alleged that he may be eliminated because he has 'exposed' corruption.
Despite being a major rank officer, he is not getting facility equal to his rank. Getting frustrated with this, he had no option except to sit in protest. He reiterated that he would continue his protest unless and until his grievances are redressed by their department senior officers. With this development, BRO Shivalik official got active and they informed this matter to their seniors. The major further alleged that he is feeling threat to his life because he has exposed the corruption, which was prevailing for last several years.
Brig Rajdan further said that Maj Sachin's act viewed as indiscipline so he has marked court of enquiry against him. Talking to The Pioneer, Heerak Project commanding officer (CO) Brig RS Khalon said that Maj Sachin always makes allegations about corruption within BRO; so he told him to submit allegation in writing but he did not do so. Brig Khalon further said that Maj Sachin is facing court of enquiry because he had gone on one month leave around two and half months back. He left two days before his leave started and joined three days later after his leave ended without bothering to seek revised leave.