Army general Hooda showcaused in Adarsh case

Major general R. K. Hooda, an additional director general with the army’s mechanised infantry, has been served a showcause notice by the Pune- based Southern Command for his alleged involvement in the Adarsh land scam.

Hooda is the only serving army officer against whom action has been taken in connection with the scam. He was the general officer commanding of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa from November 2007 till July 2010, when he joined army headquarters.

A three- member court of inquiry had been instituted to probe whether Hooda had hidden facts from his superiors, whether he had issued the mandatory “ no- objection certificate’ and how he managed to a get an apartment at the housing complex that was meant for the families of Kargil martyrs. The court of inquiry, led by Lieutenant- General J. S. Rawat, wound up two days ago.

Army sources said that Hooda has already responded to the showcause and now the “ competent authority”, the Southern Army Command, will have to decide what action would be taken against him.