India to court-martial top general

NEW DELHI (AFP) - Indias army has ordered the court martial of one of its top generals over his alleged involvement in an illegal land deal, officials said Friday.
Lieutenant General Avadesh Prakash is the highest-ranking officer to face court martial in the history of Indias million-plus military.
Army chief general Deepak Kapoor ordered the proceedings after Defence Minister AK Antony sought stern action against Prakash, who is slated to retire on Sunday, the officials said. General Prakash holds the rank of military secretary and is one of the countrys eight key military advisers.
If convicted, he could face imprisonment as well as lose his rank and his pension.
The trial will begin after the army names the judges for the general court martial of General Prakash, a senior defence ministry official said on condition that he not be named.