From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: Former military secretary, Lt Gen (retd) Avadesh Prakash has been held guilty by an Army court held here in connection with the infamous Sukna land scam.
The scam involved illegal transfer of 71 acres of land adjacent to Sukna military station near Siliguri in West Bengal to a private realtor for constructing an educational institution in 2008.
Following the verdict, Avadesh Prakash has been dismissed from the service which means he will not be entitled to any benefits like pension while he will be stripped off all decorations. He is the senior-most Army officer to face court martial.
Prakash, whose court martial proceedings in Guwahati ended on Saturday , was held guilty on three counts, including misuse of official position. However, the court gave him benefit of doubt on the fourth count of committing a civil offence, according to a Defence source.
Prakash was held guilty of misusing his position under the Army Act Section 45 (conduct unbecoming of his position as an officer) and Section 52 (intent to defraud) by the General Court Martial at the 51 sub area of the Army station at Narengi.
The Army had in January this year punished another senior officer and former 33 Corps Commander Lt Gen PK Rath in the same case and had awarded punishment involving loss of seniority and some part of his pension.
Both Avadesh Prakash and Rath had been earlier indicted by a court of inquiry constituted by the Army in 2010. Though the then Army Chief wanted to let off Avadesh Prakash lightly with just an administrative action, Defence Minister AK Antony had intervened and ordered his court-martial.