Lt Gen Prakash's name figures in probe into another fraud case

Army Military Secretary Lt Gen Avadesh Prakash, facing the prospect of disciplinary action in the Darjeeling land scam, could be in further trouble with his name figuring in another case of financial irregularity.

Army Military Secretary Lt Gen Avadesh Prakash, facing the prospect of disciplinary action in the Darjeeling land scam, could be in further trouble with his name figuring in another case of financial irregularity.

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Prakash, who also holds the honorary rank of Colonel Commandant of the Kumaon Regimental Centre, is under scanner in the Army inquiry into alleged misuse of funds to build a war memorial at the Ranikhet-based unit, Army sources said here.

A court of inquiry is underway into alleged financial irregularities and procedural lapse in setting up of a Rs 1.7 crore war memorial at Ranikhet in which Prakash's name has figured, the sources said.

Prakash's name cropped up as he is considered close to the Siliguri-based private realtor to whom the contract for the memorial has been awarded, army sources said.

The realtor is the same to whom a No-Objection Certificate was issued by army in Darjeeling for sale of a piece of land near the Sukna military station.

Prakash is already in the dock in the case related to sale of the 70-acre land near Sukna station.

The realtor had reportedly made false claims about opening an affiliate of the Ajmer-based Mayo College to get the NOC from the Army in the Darjeeling episode.

The probe into the Ranikhet case of reported diversion of funds meant for ex-servicemen's welfare towards the monument construction is believed to have named a Major General, three Brigadiers, a Colonel and two other officers, the sources said.