The army on Saturday said it will lend all necessary help to police following the arrest of Lt Col. Kaushik Sarbadhikari from the Barrackpore cantonment on Friday on charges of abetment to his partner’s suicide.
Sarbadhikari, a doctor at the base hospital in Barrackpore, was arrested after family members of Prajnadipa Halder lodged a complaint with Barrackpore police station alleging that the army officer had driven the 38-year-old woman, also a doctor, to suicide.
Halder was a doctor at a block primary health centre in Barasat’s Chhoto Jagulia. She was found hanging at Sarbadhikari’s quarters at Mandela House, the army officers’ housing complex in the cantonment, late on Monday night.
Senior army officers said they would extend all help to the Barrackpore police commissionerate in their probe into Sarbadhikari’s alleged role in the suicide.
“All support is being extended by the Army to the police authorities in the investigation process,” the army said in a statement.
Sarbadhikari will notface a court-martial till he is convicted, an army officer said.
“This is a case of alleged abetment to suicide and is not covered under the relevant sections of the Army Act,” the army officer said.
“If he is convicted, hewill be dismissed from service.”
A suicide note purportedly written by Halder blamed Sarbadhikari for her act.
Halder’s mother Jharna alleged her daughter had been killed and one of the deceased’s brothers lodged a police complaint holding Sarbadhikari responsible for the death.
A case under 306 of the Indian Penal Code — dealing with abetment to suicide — was drawn up at Barrackpore police station and a probe was launched.
On Friday, the day after a preliminary post-mortem report suggested multiple injuries on Halder’s body, Sarbadhikari was arrested. He was remanded in police custody for six days.
Senior army officers said as long as the case remains subjudice, Sarbadhikariwill not be stripped of his rank. But he won’t be given any duty. He will be under observation within the army, they added.
“He is innocent unless proven guilty,” an officer said.
Sarbadhikari’s lawyer has told the police that the army officer was with four of his friends who were visiting him from Bangladesh on Monday night. When he returned and found Halder lifeless, he made all attempts to inform the family members.
“There are claims and counterclaims. We are in the process of gathering information,” said a police officer of the Barrackpore police commissionerate.
On Saturday, a team of forensic experts visited the room where Halder was found dead and collected samples like some glass bottles that were found strewn inside.
Officers said they would be questioning Sarbadhikari further after collating more information.