New Delhi: Army veteran Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal, who allegedly killed himself on Tuesday evening in frustration over central government's delay in implementing the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, had called up his family members minutes before taking the extreme step.
''I am sitting near India Gate and I have consumed poison,'' Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal reportedly said this in what was his last call to his family before the ex-servicemen allegedly killed himself.
"The government is doing injustice to jawans and I can’t tolerate this. I am a man of principle. I am sacrificing my life for the betterment my family, ex-soldiers and my nation,” 70-year-old Grewal is heard said.
According to News18.com, Ram Kishan Grewal's son Kulwant Grewal had confirmed that the phone conversation took place between his father and brother.
In the audio clip, the veteran is also heard telling his son that he consumed two to three tablets five minutes before he made the phone call.
Grewal was reportedly drawing Rs 23,000 as pension as against Rs 28,000 he would be entitled to under the OROP scheme. He had written a letter to the Defence Ministry describing his plight but the government denied receiving any such letter.
Grewal, who hailed from Haryana's Bhiwani district, allegedly consumed poison in the lawns behind the Jawahar Bhavan, which houses the Ministry of External Affairs, yesterday.
Police said he along with three of his companions had come to the city apparently to submit a memorandum to the Defence Ministry over the issue of OROP.
