Sukna scam: SC relief to former military secy

New Delhi, February 4

In a major relief to former military secretary Avadhesh Prakash, the Supreme Court has set aside the General Court Martial (GCM) order dismissing him from service for alleged involvement in the 2008 Sukna land scam in West Bengal, terming its proceedings as “vitiated”. 

  The top court held that the GCM was not “validly constituted” as it consisted of members below his rank of Lt Gen, and refused to remit back the case for a fresh GCM.

It also set aside the order of the AFT holding him guilty of “unbecoming conduct” with punishment that he need not be given arrears of pension from the date of dismissal of service till the date of passing of order. The Sukna land scam had surfaced in 2008 and involves the transfer of land next to the Army’s 33 Corps Headquarters in Siliguri. — PTI