Sukhna land scam dented army's image: Army chief

New Delhi, Jan 15: Army chief general Deepak Kapoor has admitted on Thursday, Jan 14, that the Sukhna land scam has dented the the army"s image.

“The controversy has dented the image of the Army," Gen Kapoor said in an annual press conference ahead of the 62nd Army Day on Friday, Jan 15.

However, he refrained form answering major questions related to the scam.

“I have received inputs in the case from the court of inquiry, the recommendations of the Eastern Army chief, and the legal advice of the Adjutant General of the Army Headquarters. A set of directions has been issued. As the disciplinary proceedings are on, it will not be proper for me to comment (on the case)," Gen. Kapoor.

When asked to comment on the upsurge in senior army officers being sentenced on charges of corruption, Kapoor termed it as individual acts of misdemeanour and blamed the media for digging too much into it.

“The strength of the Indian Army is 1.1 million. But when something of this nature happens, the media delves into it. But when it happens on the civilian side, it does not get reported," Gen. Kapoor retorted.

The court of inquiry has found Lt. Gen. Awadesh Prakash, the current Military Secretary and the army chief guilty of misusing his position to procure the No Objection Certificate for a private realtor, from the chief of the 33 Corps in Sukhna, Lt. Gen P.K. Rath.

The inquiry head, East Army Commander, Lt. Gen. V.K. Singh had recommended court martial of the two officers.

While Kapoor has relented to the court martial of Gen. Rath, he has ordered only disciplinary action against Gen. Prakash, who will retire on Jan 31.

Gen. Prakash has also been asked to carry on with his leave.

The report on the land scam by the army"s court of inquiry has been submitted in Dec 2009.

Kapoor assured of appropriate action against the culprit once irregularities were established, adding that the 'justice' will not be based on personal bias or media pressure.

OneIndia News