SRINAGAR: In a rare instance of disciplinary action against a senior military officer, a Summary General Court Martial (SGCM) has found a retired Major General of the Army Medical Corps guilty of irregularities in the procurement of medical supplies worth about Rs 11 crore during his tenure as Commandant of a military hospital in Jammu.
According to a report first published by The Tribune, Maj Gen Devendra Arora has been cashiered from service and sentenced to one year of rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of 16 of the 18 charges framed against him under the Army Act.
The court-martial, presided over by Lt Gen V Sreehari, General Officer Commanding, Dakshin Bharat Area, concluded in Udhampur on Friday. The proceedings had been ordered by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command.
The charges included 17 counts under Section 52(f) of the Army Act, relating to intent to defraud, and one count under Section 57(a) for making fraudulent statements. The SGCM acquitted the officer on two charges.
The verdict, however, is yet to attain finality as it requires confirmation by the convening authority. The officer also has the right to appeal against both the findings and the sentence before the convening authority and can subsequently approach the Armed Forces Tribunal.
Arora, who has since retired, pleaded not guilty throughout the proceedings. Earlier this week, the Armed Forces Tribunal directed that any findings or sentence awarded by the SGCM should not be implemented without its permission.
The case relates to Arora’s tenure as Commandant of the 166 Military Hospital in Jammu between August 2018 and January 2020. According to the chargesheet, he authorised procurement of medical stores—including tablets, gels, ointments, dressings and medical equipment—in quantities and at costs alleged to be excessive.
He was also accused of furnishing incorrect information regarding the availability of medical stores and suppliers in Propriety Articles Certificates, allegedly violating provisions of the Defence Procurement Manual, 2009.
The investigation was initiated following an anonymous complaint. The Army first ordered a preliminary inquiry, which was followed by a Court of Inquiry to examine the allegations in detail. After the inquiry concluded in September 2022, disciplinary proceedings were initiated, and the officer was attached to the headquarters of the 16 Corps at Nagrota pending further action.
The prosecution during the court-martial was led by Brig Harish Mitra (Retd), while the accused was represented by Maj SS Pandey and Maj Piyush Thakran.
