Click to play videoNew Delhi: The Union Government has come out with a strong message that there will be no mercy for those who have faked kills to advance their military careers.
On Thursday the Ministry of Defence turned down the Army's recommendation to re-instate Colonel HS Kohli.
Infamous as the Ketchup Colonel, Kohli was found guilty of faking kills of terrorists in Assam in 2003 to win gallantry awards and was dismissed in disgrace.
The incident took place when Col Kohli, commanding officer of an artillery regiment, had taken photographs of civilians splashed with tomato ketchup posing as corpses and gave them to his seniors to stake claim for gallantry award.
The incident took place at Bada Nagadun near Silchar in Assam in 2003 and Col Kohli was dismissed from the army in November 2004 after a court martial found him guilty.
But after a CNN-IBN investigation established that Kohli had only acted under direct orders from his superiors, the Army had a re-look at the case.
CNN-IBN had revealed the direct involvement of two seniors Brigadier Suresh Rao and Major General Ravinder Singh in ordering the fake killings.
While Brigadier Rao was let off with a loss in seniority, no action was taken against Major General Singh.
The Army had recommended to the Ministry of Defence that Col Kohli be reinstated with a five-year loss of service and a severe reprimand.
The Army's recommendations had the stamp of approval of the former chief General JJ Singh.
But the government has turned down this recommendation, perhaps not wanting to set a precedent for others dismissed for similar offences also seeking rehabilitation.
On Wednesday, CNN-IBN had revealed the government's stern view of Kohli's seniors being let off lightly.
The Ministry of Defence termed the Army's decision not to punish Major General Singh as a "convenient" one.
It also pointed out to the Army a let off for Major General Singh would be legally untenable should Kohli choose to go to court.
Indeed, courts seem the likely recourse for Colonel Kohli, who does not want to be the only one to bear the Ketchup stain for life when it's clear that others too were complicit.
(With inputs from Anubha Bhonsle and Vishal Thapar)
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