New Delhi:
In perhaps the first case in the Indian Navy, an officer, Rahul Parmar captain of the INS Talwar has been found guilty for the death of a junior, Sub- Lieutenant Vipin Kumar.
The case goes back to December 2011 when Sub-Lieutenant Kumar was asked by Captain Parmar to jump into the Arabian Sea in Gujarat and swim to simulate a sea swimming survival drill.
The exercise went horribly wrong and Sub-Lieutenant Kumar drowned after he jumped. His body was never found. After the incident, Captain Parmar was removed from the command of the warship and faced a Board of Inquiry.
Sources add that a Court Martial has found Captain Parmar guilty of two counts - negligence and failing to ensure the safety of his own men. It also found that Captain Parmar erred in carrying out sea survival drill and it was carried out without adequate security and safeguards like having divers and life jackets on standby.
Captain Parmar has been awarded the punishment of loss of three years seniority. Sources in the Navy say his career prospects in the Navy now appear bleak.
Following this, the Navy has cautioned all commanders to be careful and asked all to follow guidelines carefully.