New Delhi: 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.
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.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, December 26, 2009, 19:32