The Indian government has denied sanction to prosecute 30 Army men who were allegedly involved in the killing of 13 civilians in a botched ambush at Oting in Nagaland’s Mon district in December 2021. The sanction by the Government of India is mandatory for initiating legal action against personnel of the security forces for any action taken by them while discharging their duties under Section 197(2) Cr.P.C and Section 6 of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). The charge sheet in the case was filed by Nagaland police on May 30, 2022, but the findings of the Army’s court of inquiry have not been made public. The Supreme Court had stayed further proceedings in the case in an interim order dated July 19, 2022, after the accused personnel’s wives approached the court. According to the report, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Nagaland Police was formed by the state home department the day after the incident. The SIT completed its investigation on March 24, 2022, and subsequently sought sanction for prosecution against the 30 Army personnel who were allegedly involved in the killing from the department of military affairs of the defense ministry.The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Nagaland Police had submitted a charge sheet against 30 Army personnel, including a major and other ranks, for their involvement in the Oting village incident in Mon district where 13 civilians were killed in December 2021. However, their wives approached the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the proceedings in the case, and the apex court granted an interim order on July 19, 2022, staying further proceedings in the case.
Centre Denies Prosecution Sanction Against 30 Army Men
