Army questions website role in soldier’s suicide

It said the preliminary investigation has revealed that “the suicide may be the result of a series of events which were triggered by media personnel managing to video-graph the deceased by asking leading questions on his duties as a buddy without his knowledge. “It is very likely that the guilt factor of letting down his superiors or conveying a false impression to an unknown individual led to taking the extreme step.”

Police have registered a case of accidental death under Section 174 of the CrPC.
According to his family in Kerala, Mathew made his last phone call to them on February 25 and from the way, he talked it was evident that he was in a frightened state.

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Sources said the last text message of Mathew, who was attached for ‘buddy duties’ with a Colonel-rank officer, was to the officer in which he said “sorry”. In a release, the army said the identity of the soldier in the video was hidden and thereby not known to it. “Hence there is no question of any enquiry that could have been ordered.”

There is a view in the army that it should explore legal options against the news portal. The army has also ordered a probe into circumstances leading to Mathew’s death. “Complaint has been lodged with the local police and an enquiry has been ordered by the army authorities to investigate the circumstances leading to his death. The Army is offering all assistance in this regard to the family of the deceased and the civil administration.”

Mathew had gone missing on February 25 and was declared absent without leave, the army said. The sting operation had led to criticism of the British- era Sahayak system. The army has ordered an inquiry into how the sting took place. Police said Mathew, whose body was decomposed, might have died three days ago.