Sukna scam: Rath first Lt Gen to face court martial

For the first time in the history of Indian armed forces, a serving lieutenant general will face a court martial for his alleged involvement in financial irregularities. Former 33 Corps Commander Lieutenant General General P K Rath will face a court martial starting August 30 for his role in issuing a no-objection certificate to a private realtor for building an educational institution on a 70-acre piece of land adjacent to the Sukna military station in West Bengal, said defence ministry sources.

The orders for convening of the court martial have already been issued after the Summary of Evidence held against Lieutenant General Rath recommended the continuation of disciplinary proceedings against him, they added.

The court martial will be headed by a three-star officer senior to Rath, they said. The army had charged that Rath had issued the NOC to the private realtor with an "intent to defraud" in the Rs 300 crore land scam.

Rath was indicted by an Army Court of Inquiry last year for his role in the alleged land scam and his appointment as the deputy chief of army staff was cancelled by the defence ministry.

Three other generals including former Military Secretary Lieutenant General Avadesh Prakash, Lieutenant General Ramesh Halgali and Major General P K Sen were also indicted by the COI.

While disciplinary action was ordered against Rath and Prakash, Sen and Halgali faced administrative action only. The SOE in the case is still going on in Kolkata against Prakash from July 19.