Dharan, August 27:

Victoria Cross winner and former British Gurkha soldier Tul Bahadur Pun, who is in England for medical treatment, will soon file a case against the British government on behalf of the Gurkha Army Ex-servicemen’s Organization.

At an interaction organised here today by the GAESO, its central president Padam Bahadur Gurung said, “The initial preparation to file the case has been completed.”

Gurung said the agitation of the ex-British Gurkhas would take a new turn after Pun files the case. “It is indeed strange that a Victoria Cross winner is filing a case against the government that awarded him the honour. But, soon the world will come to know how England is cheating its former soldiers,” said Gurung.

Gurung added that Pun’s lawyers in England have already completed the preparation to file the case against the British government regarding his pension. Gurung said GAESO expects a speedy verdict in the case of 91-year-old Pun. “After Pun’s case comes up for the hearing, it is very likely that the British government will be forced to make new announcement regarding the pension of ex-British Gurkha soldiers,” said Gurung.

In July, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown gave a special audience to Pun when the latter reached England.

Pun apprised PM Brown of the plight of other aged ex-British Gurkha soldiers living in penury. Gurung, who was present on the occasion, said the British PM assured them of doing his best to help the impoverished soldiers.

Another former British Gurkha soldier Bhim Bahadur Rai, who served in the British army for 36 years, and ex-Gurkha soldier Bhim Tumbahamfe who recently got British citizenship but did not get equal pension benefits have both filed cases.

GAESO president Gurung said the organisation was not happy with the British government’s decision to increase pension by 19 per cent on the basis of the Indian Pay Commission’s system. “When England wishes to sends its Gurkha regiment to Afghanistan, it does not consult India or Nepal. But, when it comes to fixing pension, it follows the Indian model,” said Gurung.