A general of Indian army held guilty in a corruption case, dismissed from service

Guwahati (Assam, India) Dec 3(PTI) Lt.Gen Avadesh Prakash, the senior-most Indian Army officer to be court-martialled, was today dismissed from service after he was found guilty in a land scam. Prakash, who retired as Military Secretary in January, 2010, was held guilty of charges of misusing his position and intent to defraud by giving no objection certification to a private realtor for developing an educational institution near Sukna military station in Siliguri district in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal in 2008. Though he is not a serving officer, as per the Army Act, the dismissal means he will not get any benefits like pension or be able to retain the rank and status of Lt General. He also automatically stands stripped off all his medals. 61-year-old Prakash is the third Lt.Gen-rank officer to be court-martialled and the second to be sacked. Lt Gen S K Sahni, former Director General Supplies and Transport, was earlier this year cashiered from service for his role in a ration scam and Lt Gen P K Rath, 33 Corps Commander in Siliguri, escaped dismissal but was punished with loss of seniority and reduced pension. While Prakash and Sahni faced the ignominy after their retirement from service, Rath is still serving, attached to Army's Eastern Command Headquarters in Kolkata. Today's order by the military court will be sent for confirmation to the Eastern Army Commander, the convening authority of the General Court Martial in this case. PTI