Army creates a new Major General-led human rights cell for 'transparency and probity'

NEW DELHI: The 13-lakh strong Army has created a new human rights cell headed by a Major-General for “greater transparency and probity” in its functioning in disturbed areas like Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast.

Major General Gautam Chauhan, who was commissioned into the Gorkha Rifles, has taken charge as the first additional director general (human rights) at the Army headquarters in New Delhi. He will report directly to the Army vice-chief, with his branch being the nodal point to examine all human rights violation reports.

The appointment of the ADG (HR) comes soon after the J&K Police last week charge-sheeted an Army officer (Captain Bhoopendra Singh) and two civilians for the alleged abduction and murder of three youths in Rajouri in July 2020.


An ADG (Vigilance) will also soon be appointed as part of the ongoing restructuring of the Army HQs. “The two new branches headed by ADG (HR) and ADG (V) will take forward the Army’s commitment for probity and transparency,” said an officer.

“As per the plan, the ADG (HR) will also have an Indian Police Service officer of SSP/SP rank on deputation in his branch to provide investigative expertise as well as facilitate necessary coordination with the home ministry and other organizations,” he added.

In the reorganization of the Army headquarters underway, Lt-General Paramjit Singh last month formally took over as the first deputy chief (strategy) to synergize operations, intelligence, logistics, perspective planning and information warfare while handling emergencies like the ongoing military confrontation with China in eastern Ladakh, as was reported by TOI earlier.