Army orders probe into senior Colonel’s alleged affair with junior Colonel’s wife

New Delhi: The Indian Army has ordered a Court of Inquiry to investigate a senior officer posted in the Mission Olympics Wing in New Delhi on the allegation of having an affair with the wife of a Lieutenant Colonel stationed at the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) in Mhow.

The inquiry was initiated following a formal complaint lodged by the aggrieved Lieutenant Colonel, which was subsequently marked to the Brigadier-in-charge of Administration at HQ MCTE.

Acting on this complaint, Lieutenant General Michael Fernandez, the officiating Deputy Chief of Army Staff (IS&C), ordered a Board of Officers to seize and seal the digital devices, including mobile phones and laptops, belonging to the Colonel.

However, the accused Colonel refused to cooperate with the officials attempting to confiscate his digital assets. As a result, he was placed under 'close arrest,' with an officer and two jawans assigned to monitor him.

The Colonel, in his defence, alleged that he had been threatened into surrendering his digital devices and claimed that false reasons had initially been provided for their confiscation. He asserted that he was told the seizure was related to national security concerns due to alleged leaks of confidential information from his mobile phone.

The Colonel asserted that he had faced threats even while he was receiving medical treatment at the Base Hospital in Delhi Cantonment for hypertension and was admitted to the psychiatric ward. His official residence was also sealed by the Board of Officers, in accordance with Army protocol.

Meanwhile, the Army's instructions on such matters say that if an officer fails to voluntarily surrender their mobile phone and laptop, a Board of Officers should visit their home to seize the devices, and if the house is found locked, it should be sealed. In case of continued non-cooperation, the officer may be placed under close arrest for disobeying lawful commands.

This incident underscores the Army's strict stance against officers accused of engaging in extramarital affairs with the spouses of fellow soldiers, commonly referred to as 'stealing the affections of a brother officer's wife.'

In past cases, individuals facing such allegations have been subjected to General Court Martial proceedings and subsequently dismissed from military service.