The Hindu : Front Page : Major-General dismissed from service

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Monday, Sep 15, 2008
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Major-General dismissed from service

He was found guilty of molesting a woman officer under his command

New Delhi: A serving Major General was dismissed from service by an Army Court after he was found guilty of molesting a woman officer under his command, in the first such case in the history of the country’s armed forces.

The General Court Martial (GCM), with the Army’s 10 Corps commander Lt. Gen. R.S. Sujalana presiding, delivered its verdict against Major General A.K. Lal at Bhatinda on Saturday.

The two-star general was serving as the 3 Infantry Division General Officer Commanding in Leh last year when the woman officer Capt. Neha Rawat gave a written complaint that he indulged in sexual misconduct under the pretext of conducting meditation classes at his residence.

Maj. Gen. Lal will lose his pension and ex-servicemen benefits if the verdict is confirmed by a higher authority — Army Chief Gen. Deepak Kapoor.

The GCM tried Maj. Gen. Lal on four charges, including molestation, under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code along with Section 69 (civil offences) of the Army Act.

He was also charged with two other offences, including attempting to influence two officers who were witnesses in the case. The court found him guilty on all four counts.

Now, he has the option to appeal against the verdict before the GCM convening authority, both before and after its confirmation by the Army chief. If he is not satisfied with the convening authority’s decision, he can seek legal redress either from the High Court or before the newly set up Armed Forces Tribunal. — PTI

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