IN A case of suspected suicide, a 46-year-old Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of Subedar rank from the Army, posted at the Field Post Office of the Air Force Station, Pune, was found dead in his room on Tuesday with two bullet injuries on the chest. Police have said that a note was found near his body, purportedly written by him, and it names four JCOs from the Air Force of Warrant Officer rank as those responsible for his death. The deceased identified as Subedar Beant Singh, of the Army Postal Corps, was in-charge of the Field Post Office (FPO) and was originally from Una in Himachal Pradesh. In an official press release sent through the Defence PRO, the Indian Air Force said, “An Army JCO, Subedar Beant Singh, posted at the FPO located at the Air Force Station, Pune, was found dead in his room today. He was staying alone. His body was found with two bullet holes and a civil revolver lying by his side. A suicide note was found near his dead body. Prima facie, it appears to be a case of suicide. [related-post] The next of kin has been informed. Investigation by the civil and military police is on.” The incident came to light around 11 am, when a post office staffer found him dead in his room. The Air Force authorities then informed the police. Senior inspector Sanjay Kurundkar of the Vimantal Police station, who visited the spot after the incident and is investigating the case, said, “Primary findings suggest that it is a case of suicide. He has used a personal weapon, for which he had a license. We have found a suicide note, in which he has said that four WOs (Warrant Officers), whom he has named, are responsible for his death. We will find out who these four personnel are, where are they currently posted and on what duties, and how had they came in contact with the deceased.” Kurundkar added, “The post mortem on the body will be performed on Wednesday after his family members reach here. The autopsy report will give us more information. Only after a thorough probe, we would be able to ascertain the sequence of events.” Meanwhile, the Air Force Police too have started their investigation into the case. The Air Force Station, Pune, houses two flying squadrons of India’s frontline fighter jets, Sukhoi-30MKi, and is one of the key airbases of the IAF. Police said the suicide note is addressed to two Army officers of Colonel rank, in which the deceased has stated that after his death, his family members should be given the monetary claims, if any. “The Air Force authorities have contacted the family members. As of now, we are not aware of the details of his family in Una. We will speak to them after they come here on Wednesday and try to find out if they can give us any more facts,” said senior inspector Kurundkar.
