Lt Gen Rath to face court martial in Sukna case

For the first time in the Indian Army, a serving lieutenant general is set to face the ignominy of a court martial for his alleged involvement in the Sukna land case.

For the first time in the Indian Army, a serving lieutenant general is set to face the ignominy of a court martial for his alleged involvement in the Sukna land case.

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Lieutenant General P.K. Rath, who was set to take over as the deputy chief last year, will face a court martial for his role in issuing a no-objection certificate to facilitate the transfer of a plot near the military station to businessman Dilip Agarwal’s dubious educational society. Rath was then commanding Headquarters 33 Corps.

An army officer said, “Rath’s court marital is being convened by the Kolkata-based Eastern Command.” The general was given a given a chance to defend himself during the ‘summary of evidence (SoE)’ procedure, a prelude to the court martial.

A probe had indicted Rath in December for “his pre-mediated action to grant a verbal ‘No Objection’ and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding without any verification or meaningful examination of related issues, thereby jeopardising the security of the military garrison (Sukna).”

Rath could seek a stay on proceedings by approaching the Armed Forces Tribunal.