Sukna court martial adjourns till July 8

The court conducting the court martial of Sukna land scam accused Lieutenant General (retired) Awadesh Prakash today examined the replies of the defence.

The accused had earlier challenged the jurisdiction of the court and its members, but the court had maintained its jurisdiction and that the constitution of its members was in order.

The court located at the 51 sub area army military station in Narengi here then adjourned till July 8.

The proceedings were in the premiminary stage and more than two weeks would be required to start the general court martial, army officials said.

Prakash was held guilty by the court of inquiry last year prior to his retirement on January 31, 2010.

The order for his court martial was given following the intervention of defence minister AK Antony.

Prakash, who was the military secretary in former army chief Deepak Kapoor's office, together with Lieutenant General PK Rath, General Ramesh Halgali and Major Genearl PC Sen were found guilty of illegally giving land near Sukna military station in West Bengal's Darjeeling district to private builders.