Candle-light march for probe into late Captain Kohli’s death

TNN, Sep 12, 2010 ; Chandigarh :

Braving the incessant rain, the family and friends of late Captain Sumit Kohli along with RTI activists and ex-army officials carried out a peace-cum-candle-light march in Sector 17 on Sunday.

Leading the march was Late Captain Kohli's mother Veena Kohli.

Holding candles in their hands, the group demanded a thorough CBI probe into the death of the slain soldier.

Talking to The Times of India, president of RTI Activists Federation, Punjab, advocate HC Arora, said, ' No army officer would commit suicide within a week of being awarded the Surya Chakra for bravery.'

Another human rights activist Sushil Gupta stressed upon transparency in the Army or 'else youth would refrain from joining the forces.' The protesters, who were also joined by a large number of local residents, also put their signatures on post cards addressed to President Pratibha Patil, while demanding a high-level impartial probe into the death of Late Captain Kohli.

Overwhelmed by the support of people promoting her son's cause, Veena Kohli broke down at a number of occasions.

Meanwhile, Union defence minister AK Antony has recently ordered a fresh probe into the death of the Late Captain, who had allegedly committed suicide in Jammu and Kashmir in 2006.

Late Captain Kohli's family has been claiming that it was not suicide but murder. His family members had also met Antony a fortnight ago and made a representation seeking independent probe or a Crime Bureau of Invesitgation (CBI) inquiry into the whole matter.