Rape rattles Rashtrapati Bhavan, Army’s elite unit

Vij is said to have pulled up Presidential Body Guards Commandant Colonel Bhawani Singh who, in turn, held a parade of the 161 guards at Rashtrapati Bhavan tonight.

By then, Vij had already directed General Officer Commanding (Delhi Area) Major General Thomas Mathew to meet the victim’s family. General Mathew along with his wife visited the family and conveyed the Army’s ‘‘sympathies.’’

Earlier in the day, Kalam, sources said, directed the entire Rashtrapati Bhavan staff, ‘‘permanent or otherwise not to stray into any kind of offence.’’

Kalam’s directive is significant as the administration and discipline of the President’s Body Guards lies with the Army Headquarters and has little to do with the Rashtrapati Bhavan secretariat.

The alleged crime and breach of discipline by one of the Army’s most showcased units dominated proceedings at Defence Headquarters.

Coincidentally, Fernandes had today sought a report on the suicide by a 15-year-girl at Jiribam near Imphal in Manipur apparently because she was molested under the garb of frisking by jawans.

Commandant Bhawani Singh could find himself on a sticky wicket if the court of inquiry were to detect a breach of discipline reflecting on the regiment’s internal administration. Top Army officials said while the rape case will be handled by the Delhi Police, the Army will probe the circumstances behind the presence of the four guards at Buddha Jayanti Park.

Although the top brass is non-committal, Defence Ministry sources say that the alleged criminals will be also proceeded against under the Army Act and if convicted could be stripped of their uniform.