Army chief general Deepak Kapoor ordered the proceedings after Defence Minister A.K. 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 country's 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.