UPDATE: The soldier is released on bail (March 27). Albeit the soldier’s woes are far from over.
You can continue reading the original story posted on March 25th.
A troubling sequence of events has cast a spotlight on the excessive authority of police and the apparent apathy of the judicial system. Paratrooper (Ptr) Abhimanyu Jangam, a distinguished member of India’s elite 9 PARA (Special Forces), remains confined in Jamakhandi Sub Jail, Bagalkote. Despite numerous efforts by legal and military channels to secure his release or transfer, these interventions have yielded no success, raising serious concerns about fairness and respect for those who serve the nation.
Trivia: 9 Para SF soldiers of Indian Army are deployed along the India-Pakistan border.
This is far from an isolated occurrence. A disturbing trend has emerged, where Indian army soldiers—individuals celebrated as guardians of national pride—are increasingly subjected to aggression and neglect by law enforcement and civilian entities. Four recent incidents vividly demonstrate this targeting:
- March 13, Punjab: A Colonel, a senior Army officer, and his son were viciously assaulted by twelve police officers, reportedly under the influence of alcohol. Though the incident ignited widespread public fury, no meaningful disciplinary measures have been imposed on the guilty parties.
- Indore, Madhya Pradesh: A group of four junior Army officers fell victim to an attack by local criminals. Despite the severity of the assault, the culprits have faced no legal repercussions to date.
- Sep 2024, Odisha: A Major and his fiancée endured humiliation and physical violence at the hands of police officers, in a clear overreach of power. Accountability for this misconduct remains conspicuously absent.
- Dec 2024, Kerala, NCC Officer on Duty: While performing official duties in uniform, an NCC officer was savagely beaten by a mob fueled by false rumors, with police present yet inactive. No punitive action has been taken against the attackers or the negligent officers.
These cases underscore a recurring pattern of hostility and indifference directed at military personnel, calling into question the societal and institutional support extended to those who safeguard the country.
The Incident Involving Ptr Abhimanyu
The ordeal of Ptr Abhimanyu began on March 5, 2025, when he and his cousins encountered a vehicle malfunction on a public road. As they worked to resolve the issue, a Circle Inspector—allegedly intoxicated, dressed in civilian attire, and driving a personal car—approached and unleashed a barrage of unprovoked insults. The encounter turned violent when the officer reportedly assaulted the soldier physically.
Additional police were summoned, and Ptr Abhimanyu was detained, taken to the station, and subjected to harsh physical abuse. He was subsequently brought before a court and ordered into judicial custody.
Ptr Abhimanyu, a soldier with an unblemished record, was charged with multiple offenses and jailed on March 6, 2025, alongside his cousin. Their detention was extended until March 20, 2025. A bail request filed on March 11 has been met with unexplained setbacks, as the Public Prosecutor has objected, pushing the next hearing to March 25. This prolonged delay has intensified perceptions of an unjust process. Meanwhile, on March 19, 2025, the Army invoked Section 104 of the Army Act, 1950, to request his transfer to military custody, even assigning an escort for the purpose. Yet, civilian authorities have consistently dismissed this legitimate plea, offering vague and misleading responses to both the soldier’s family and military officials.
The mistreatment of Ptr Abhimanyu and the four cases outlined earlier reveal a disheartening decline in the reverence afforded to India’s armed forces. These individuals risk their lives in perilous environments to protect the populace, yet their honor and rights are increasingly overlooked by the society they defend. This pattern signals a troubling disconnect between the sacrifices of soldiers and the treatment they receive in return.
The unfair handling of Ptr Abhimanyu serves as a stark indicator of deeper flaws within the system. The judiciary must administer justice without prejudice, and law enforcement must acknowledge that unchecked authority can spiral into oppression. A nation that fails to uphold the dignity of its protectors must confront uncomfortable questions about the strength of its legal and moral foundations. This is not merely the story of a soldier behind bars—it is a test of India’s democratic spirit and its duty to those who stand as its uniformed sentinels.
We do not intend to pit Police against Indian Army. But the recent cases mentioned above need to be investigated well.