Subedar Grewal’s last call to son: ‘I’m near India Gate... have consumed poison’

Five minutes after Ram Kishan Grewal, a retired Subedar with the Indian Army, consumed Sulphas tablets at the park near Defence Minister’s office in Lutyen’s Delhi on Tuesday morning, he called up his son at Bhiwani to inform him about the same. “I am calling to inform you that I have taken poison,” said the deceased Subedar. Those were his last words.

In the three-minute audio clip released by the son, the last phone call made by Ram Kishan to his family, the veteran told his son that he took the decision to end his life for the supreme cause of the implementation of OROP. 

Calling it an act of duty towards his fellow ex-servicemen who had been collectively raising and fighting for the issue, Ram Kishan had said: “Main usuloon ka aadmi hoon and apne saathiyon ke liye, unke sangharsh ke liye, maine yeh kadam uthaya hai (I am a man of principles. I took this step for our right and our fight for speedy implementation of the OROP). 

Ram Kishan, a native of Bhiwani, joined the Indian Army 30 years back. For the first six years, he served in the 105 Infantry Battalion, Rashtriya Rifles and later on served in the Defence Corps.

On being persistently asked by his son when and how much tablets did he consume, the son’s voice now started chocking due to tears. To which, Ram Kishan replied: “It has been five minutes. I am at the India Gate with my companions. Our delegation came to meet the Defence Minister. Injustice is being done to our military and ex-servicemen.”

In the letter addressed to the Defence Minister, Ram Kishan had allegedly scribbled with a pencil that “I am taking this step for my country. I am doing this for our ex-servicemen whose rights have been denied.”

Meanwhile, according to senior cops, Ram Kishan’s body has been sent for post-mortem and the toxicology report is being awaited to ascertain the exact cause of death. Police said they have initiated the matter and probe is underway.