India general faces court martial

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India's army has ordered the court martial of one of its most senior army officers over his alleged involvement in an illegal land deal, officials say.

Lt Gen Avadesh Prakash is the highest ranking officer ever to face a court martial in India.

He holds the rank of military secretary and is one of eight key advisers to India's army chief Gen Deepak Kapoor.

If convicted, he could face a prison term and he could also lose his military rank and pension.

Earlier in the week, Defence Minister AK Antony called for stern action against Lt Gen Prakash who is set to retire from military duties on Sunday, officials said.

"The trial will begin after the army names the judges for the general court martial of Lt Gen Prakash," news agency AFP quoted an unnamed senior defence ministry official as saying.

According to reports, Lt Gen Prakash was among four senior officers who allegedly gave approval for a builder to acquire military land near an army base at a significantly reduced price.

An army inquiry has already indicted him for using his position to help the builder in Siliguri in West Bengal.