I wasn’t even there, why was I held, asks retired colonel’s cook

NOIDA: The cook of the retired colonel accused of molesting the wife of an ADM has questioned police’s decision to book him under the same charges as that slapped on the Army veteran, saying he was preparing breakfast at home when the alleged crime took place in a park nearby.

“Sir had gone to the park for a morning walk and we were preparing breakfast. He was waiting for a cab to travel to the railway station. His ticket was confirmed, while the two other youths who had come to train under him were to take the general coach. They were to attend an Army event,” he said.

The cook, whose father is a carpenter in Uttarakhand, had also been arrested along with two youths who had come to train under him. The three got bail on Friday.

Apart from molestation charges, the colonel and the others were also booked under provisions of the SC/ST Act. The ADM’s wife had accused the Amy veteran of using casteist remarks against her. “But how can I use objectionable comments on someone from my own caste? I am a Dalit too,” the cook said.

The cook said he had gone to the park for a few minutes to inform the Army veteran of a phone call. “A few women were arguing with the officer. The women and my Sir asked me to leave,” he said.