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Sukna scam: Gen Rath to be court martialled
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 20
The Indian Army has ordered a court martial against former commander of the Darjeeling-based 33 crops, Lieut Gen PK Rath for the alleged wrong doing in issuing a no-objection certificate (NoC) for construction an educational institution on land adjacent to the Sukhna military station near Darjeeling.

The NoC was issued to real estate dealer for building an educational institution on a 70-acre piece of land adjacent to the military station. An Army Court of Inquiry has recommended disciplinary proceedings against Gen Rath and also the Military Secretary Lt Gen Avadesh Prakash.

Lt Gen Rath’s court martial starts August 30. He would be the first serving officer of such a high rank to face a court martial for his alleged involvement in financial irregularities. Sources confirmed that orders for convening the court martial have already been issued after the Summary of Evidence (SOE) recommended continuation of disciplinary proceedings against Lt. Gen. Rath. In February this year, Lt. Gen. Rath withdrew his petition from the Armed Forces Tribunal against his court martial in connection with the scam.

Lt. Gen. Rath’s petition in the Delhi High Court was dismissed on a jurisdictional issue, following which he had moved the Principal Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal.