Family disputes Army officer ‘suicide’

Capt Sumit Kohli’s death under mysterious circumstances in Lolab, near Kupwara, has opened a can of worms. While the Army called the 26-year-old’s death as a case of suicide, his family members in Chandigarh challenged the explanation, calling it a “cover-up”.

Capt Sumit Kohli’s death under mysterious circumstances in Lolab, near Kupwara, has opened a can of worms. While the Army called the 26-year-old’s death as a case of suicide, his family members in Chandigarh challenged the explanation, calling it a “cover-up”.

According to Lt Col V K Batra, P R O 15 Corps, Capt Kohli committed suicide with his service weapon — an AK-47 assault rifle — in his Unit room in Lolab at 3.30 pm on Sunday. He allegedly shot himself in the chin.

Lt Col Batra further said the exact reason for the suicide is not known, though the Army officials suspect family problems or marital discord for the action. But Capt Kohli’s brother Puneet said: “We have no intimation from the Army as to how he died. The only thing they told us is that he is dead. A journalist told us in the evening that he committed suicide. There is no question of him committing suicide — he was happily married, his wife Deepika is expecting, and he was awarded Shaurya Chakra.’’

Capt Kohli, an Artillery officer, was serving with 18 Rashtriya Rifles and was deployed in J-K for the last two and half years. He was awarded Shaurya Chakra on January 26 by President A P J Abdul Kalam for conducting operations in the Kupwara sector.