Border Security Force (BSF) jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav, who had triggered a nationwide furore by posting series of videos alleging jawans deployed along the line of control were being served poor quality food and even forced to sleep “empty stomach”, was dismissed from service on Wednesday after an internal enquiry found him guilty of making false accusations and neglecting orders of the force.
His social media campaign, in violation of the service rules, had even forced the Union Home Ministry to initiate a formal probe into the allegations levelled by him.
The Prime Minister’s Office too had sought a detailed report from the Home Ministry and the BSF after his video went viral on the social media.
On Wednesday, the BSF said in a statement that Yadav was dismissed from service by the summary security force court (SSFC) that commenced on April 13 and concluded on April 19.
The official statement released by the BSF held Yadav guilty of lying about food quality and not adhering to formal grievance redressal mechanism of the force.
BSF official statement also accused Yadav of “neglect to obey general orders of the force in which he carried two mobile phones while on operational duty against the SOP and also posted photographs in uniform on social media in contravention of instructions.
“It added that all opportunities were given to Yadav for his defence during the proceedings.
As per BSF act and rules, he can now submit an appeal against the punishment to the higher authorities within three months.
During the court of enquiry, Yadav’s colleagues did not support his claim of sub-standard food at the camps.
Yadav was serving in the 29th battalion of the force when he made a mobile video while standing guard in front of a BSF camp in Poonch.
He was subsequently transferred to Jammu and his plea for voluntary retirement was also rejected. Soon after he was dismissed Yadav, attached with 80 Bn BSF in Samba left for his native village in Haryana. Before boarding the bus Yadav told media persons, “I will continue to fight for justice. I will seek legal recourse against this order. After I raised the issue of poor quality of food the jawans have started getting fair deal and quality of food has improved a lot.”