IPKF supplies case: HC frees major-general of the Army

Chennai: It was 35 years ago in 1987 that India deployed its peace-keeping force in Sri Lanka to curb conflicts between Tamil militants and the island-government.Now, the Madras high court has set aside the conviction of A K Gupta, a major-general of the Indian Army who faced corruption charges in the purchase of tinned meat for the Army.During Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka, Gupta was tasked with the overseeing of logistic supply to the IPKF men. The prosecution said he abused his position and purchased local tinned meat kheema at higher rates favouring certain firms. In 2013, a trial court found him guilty, and sentenced him to undergo imprisonment for two years.On Wednesday, setting Gupta free, Justice G Jayachandran observed that from the evidence provided by the Army, there was no loss to the government as the rate quoted by the supplier was the least and it was supplied and used. “The violation of purchase regulations, to be construed a corrupt practice, should have led to pecuniary advantage for the public servant or for any person the public servant is interested with,” the judge said.In the case on hand, it is admitted that the rate quoted by the supplier was the least and therefore, there cannot be any presumption of loss to the state or wrongful gain to the supplier, the judge added.Pointing out that Gupta had escaped from the custody of the Army while being taken to the general court martial, Justice Jayachandran observed that the escaping could have weighed on the mind of the trial court against the officer even though there was no material to corroborate the case.According to Gupta, local procurement was done based on the sudden increase in requirement for the IPKF. The decision was taken by committee members composed of high-ranking officials, but those officials were not examined by the trial court.Recording the submissions, Justice Jayachandran pointed out to the evidence provided by Lt General Depinder Singh, who was assigned to the IPKF, that most of the decisions pertaining to the operation were taken orally to keep confidentiality and secrecy. This apart, the judge observed that the investigation officer had filed the final report with truncated materials and without scrutinising the materials in its entirety.

IPKF supplies case: Madras HC sets aside conviction of former major general A K Gupta

The Madras high court has overturned the conviction of a former major general of the Indian Army, A K Gupta, who was charged with corruption in the purchase of tinned meat for the Army during the deployment of India's peacekeeping force in Sri Lanka in 1987. The court ruled that there was no evidence of loss to the government, as the supplier had quoted the lowest rate and the meat had been used as intended. The court also criticized the truncated materials and lack of scrutiny in the investigation.

Janvani Diwas to mark birth anniversary of Justice Gupta

Supreme Court Justice Pankaj Mithal will be the chief guest at a lecture series organized in honor of Justice Prem Shankar Gupta's birth anniversary. The lecture series is the first of its kind and is being held in the names of renowned lawyers Shanti Bhushan and Keshari Nath Tripathi. The program will include a lecture on the concept of justice in India's history and present, as well as a poetic recitation session. The event will be attended by various dignitaries, including cabinet minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi and city mayor Ganesh Kesarwani.

Will purchase power at expensive rate for regular supply: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has instructed the power department to replace faulty transformers on time in order to ensure uninterrupted power supply. Despite increased demand for electricity due to low rainfall and heat, the government is making efforts to minimize power cuts and provide prior information to consumers. Gehlot has also directed officials to visit rural areas and gather feedback from public representatives and consumers. The demand for electricity in the coming months is expected to be higher than the availability, but additional demand will be met through short-term tender and banking.