By IANS
New Delhi : A three-star Indian Army general charged with corruption has been asked to report for disciplinary proceedings that could lead to a court martial, the first time that such a senior officer faces punishment.
Lt. Gen. S.K. Sahni of the Army Supply Corps (ASC) was ordered to report to the Jalandhar-based 10 Corps for “attachment” after the Delhi High Court rejected his plea to stay proceedings pending against him for more than a year following a court of inquiry indicted him for cheating.
The court of inquiry had indicted Sahni for defrauding the army in the procurement of foodstuff, mainly pulses, for troops serving in counter-insurgency operations. A major general and two brigadiers have also been named in the case.
The general officer commanding (GOC) of the Chandimandir-based Western Command has been asked to chair the proceedings against Sahni, who retired as director general (Supplies And Transport) last September.
The Army Act continues to apply to officers for three years after their retirement and they can be proceeded against during this period for any irregularities they might have committed.
The army had earlier this month begun proceedings against a major general after a woman officer charged him with sexual harassment.
Earlier this year, a court of inquiry held another three-star general guilty of lapses in the procurement of foodstuff – this time, frozen mutton.
Lt. Gen. S.K. Dahiya, also of the Army Service Corps (ASC) was indicted for the lapse while serving as a major general with the Udhampur-based Northern Command that guards the country’s borders with Pakistan and China.
Dahiya, who is currently serving in south India, has appealed against the verdict in the Delhi High Court.
Thus far, the senior-most officers to have been indicted by a court martial are three major generals. Of them, Gur Iqbal Singh of the Bareilly-based 6 Mountain Division was held guilty of diverting liquor meant for the armed forces to the civilian market, while T.G. Nambiar and P.S.K. Chaudhary were cashiered after the Tehelka TV sting on irregularities in arms purchases.