Case against 3-star general SK Sahni to continue

In a blow to dismissed Lieutenant General SK Sahni, the Armed Forces Tribunal has directed that disciplinary proceedings continue against him.

Sahni is the first 3-star general to be proceeded against in court martial proceedings by the highest court in the armed forces. He will stand trial and any appeal against the tribunal’s verdict can be filed only in the apex court.

The tribunal has directed Sahni to report to the Jalandhar-based 11 Corps for the summary of evidence, after which the General Court Martial (GCM) will take place.

The tribunal had earlier directed the Indian Army to re-investigate the matter against Sahni, who was indicted by a court of inquiry on charges of irregularities found in procurement of dry rations for troops posted in the Kashmir valley. He was also charged with procuring poor quality pulses.

Sahni sought an interim stay by Delhi high court against the army’s decision to take action against him. The high court dismissed Sahni’s writ directions to go back to the tribunal. Sahni, along with Major General BPS Mander and Brigadiers SK Handa and PS Gill, was among the six officers tried in the court of inquiry.

The incident took place in 2004. The court of inquiry ordered disciplinary proceedings against Sahni. Though Sahni retired in 2006, the action against him will continue under the Army Act.