New Delhi:
Fading away into the sunset, like many of his predecessors, isn't an option available to General VK Singh, who arguably is the most controversial Chief of Army Staff in contemporary Indian history. 62-year-old General V K Singh, who took over as the Army Chief 26 months ago, retires today. He will be succeeded by Eastern Army Commander General Bikram Singh.
Just a day before his retirement, Defence Minister AK Antony yesterday asked the Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma to examine whether action can be initiated against Army Chief General VK Singh for violating the Army Act of 1950 and defaming former retired Lieutenant General Tejinder Singh.
Retired Lieutenant General Tejinder Singh left the army about two years ago as the head of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
On March 5 this year, the Indian Army in an official statement had said that retired Lieutenant General Tejinder Singh, who had allegedly benefitted from the Adarsh Housing scam, was not only planting reports in the media but had even tried to bribe the Army Chief for clearing a file relating to purchase of a tranche of 600 "sub-standard" Tatra trucks.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing this allegation.
Also in the same statement the Army had then claimed that the former DIA chief had bought off-air monitoring machines - gadgets that can snoop on mobile conservations - without proper authorisation.
Retired Lieutenant General Tejinder Singh had subsequently moved the court alleging that he had been defamed and therefore action should be initiated against the Chief of Army Staff. The Delhi High Court and a trial court have so far refused to summon General VK Singh. However, the Delhi High Court had observed that disciplinary action could be sought against the officers and General VK Singh for the issuing the press release. Following these observations, General Tejinder Singh had asked the Defence Ministry to initiate action against the outgoing Army Chief.
Mr Antony yesterday asked the Defence Secretary Shashkant Sharma to examine the complaint of Retired Lieutenant General Tejinder Singh and initiate action, if any, required. Sources tell NDTV that in all probability the government - which has been embarrassed by General V K Singh in many occasions in the part - is likely to swing in favour of General Tejinder Singh's initiative.