Noida: Indian Army veteran Colonel Virendra Singh Chauhan, who was jailed last week following a complaint by Muzaffarnagar’s ADM and his wife, was released on bail on Monday with CCTV footage exonerating him.

On August 14, ADM Harish Chandra and his wife Usha filed a complaint against Chauhan under the SC/ST Act, including an attempt to tampering and kidnapping, after the latter alleged the ADM of being involved in illegal construction. 

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The 77-year-old retired Army officer, who defended the country in the 1965 and 1971 wars against Pakistan, was allegedly handcuffed like a criminal and presented in court as well as mistreated in the police station.

However, the allegations did not stand ground in the SC/ST special court after CCTV footage showed the retired officer getting harassed and manhandled. Also, while three retired military officers gave statements in Chauhan’s favour, no independent witnesses came to Chandra and his wife's defence. 

Chauhan’s lawyer told the court that the dispute arose when his client complained to the authorities about an illegal construction by Chandra in their Noida sector 29 neighbourhood.

After the incident came to light, former military officers in Noida met senior superintendent of police (SSP), Ajay Pal Sharma. On his orders, a case has been registered against seven people, including Chandra and his wife, at Noida sector-20 police station. The Noida Police have also arrested Chandra’s gunner, Rahul Nagar, and his servant, Jitendra Awasthi, who were seen assaulting the retired Colonel in the video footage. The police are on the lookout for the rest of the accused.

The retired army officers supporting the Colonel have demanded suspension of the circle officer and station house officer of the Noida sector-20 police station though both of them were posted there a few days ago.

The chowki in-charge Ravi Tomar and munshi Wasif Ali, who had handcuffed the Colonel, have been suspended by SSP Sharma for alleged negligence.