File photo: General VK Singh as Chief of Army Staff (COAS)
The former army chief, General VK Singh, was admonished again by the Supreme Court today, which said he was out of line in questioning its motives when it ruled against him in his attempt to have the government accept that he is a year younger than army records show.
"We welcome criticism of our judgment but not our motives. If one can make such remarks against the highest court like this, we are heading for bad days," the judges said today, giving the retired General four weeks to file his response.
In an interview recently, the General had allegedly questioned criticised the Supreme Court's handling of his case against the government over his age. If he had won the case, he would have been eligible for another year in office. But he dropped his lawsuit in January after the Supreme Court indicated it was likely to rule against him.
His tenure as army chief was studded with mega-controversies. He set up a military intelligence unit with 30 members that was accused of spying on the Defence Ministry. An explosive letter from him to the Prime Minister warning of severe deficiencies in arms and ammunition was leaked. General Singh also suggested that though he confided that he had been offered a 14-crore bribe to clear a deal for military trucks, Defence Minister AK Antony showed no interest in ordering an inquiry.