BSF jawan who complained of bad food sacked
Tej Bahadur Yadav was found guilty on four counts of breach of discipline
A BSF constable who had posted a video about the “poor quality” of food served to jawans in forward locations has been dismissed on charges of “making false allegations, posting photographs on social media and for carrying two mobile phones”.
A Border Security Force statement said Tej Bahadur Yadav (41), was sacked after a Summary Security Force Court (SSFC) held him guilty on four counts of breach of discipline.
Can appeal
He can appeal against the order before the Inspector-General (Frontier) of the force or the Director-General of the BSF within three months.
With the order taking effect, Mr. Yadav, with 20 years of service, will be denied pension.
His VRS application was rejected, and he had posted the video just days before he was to be relieved from service.
After his dismissal, Mr. Yadav told a news agency that he would move a higher court in appeal. “Hope I get justice, I have full faith in the judiciary. This is what happens when you say the truth? Happening for years now,” he said.
The SSFC proceedings, the BSF said, was conducted against Mr. Yadav under charges including “an act prejudicial to good order and discipline of the force in which he made false allegations on social media regarding quality of food and did not adhere to formal grievance redressal mechanism of the force”.
“Neglect to obey general orders of the force in which he carried two mobile phones while on operational duty against the standard operating procedures and also posted photographs in uniform on social media in contravention of instructions. The individual [Mr. Yadav] was found guilty of all the charges and awarded dismissal from service,” the BSF said in a statement.
Opportunities given
All opportunities were extended to Mr. Yadav to present his defence but he could put forth none, a senior BSF officer said.
The SSFC proceedings were held between April 13 and 19, following a Staff Court of Inquiry (SCoI) under the BSF Act and Rules where statements of senior officers and colleagues of the jawan were recorded.
Mr. Yadav, clad in battle fatigues and carrying his service rifle, had in January posted a video on Facebook, complaining that watery dal and burnt chapatis were being served to the troops serving on inhospitable terrain.
Inquiry ordered
While the government procures essentials for soldiers, the higher-ups “sell them off” in an “illegal” manner in the market making the lower level personnel in the force suffer, he had alleged.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had ordered an inquiry by the BSF into the complaint after the video triggered nationwide outrage.
Mr. Yadav had also alleged that troops were subjected to “cruelty” as they were served bad quality food, and at times had to go to bed empty stomach. Mr. Yadav, who is from Mahendragarh in Haryana, was in the BSF 29th battalion.
