SC issues contempt notice to ex-Army chief VK Singh

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a contempt notice to former Army chief V K Singh in connection with his recent remarks on his age row. The court directed Singh to file his response by October 23 on why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him. “Prima facie Singh`s statement undermines authority of the court and scandalises its proceedings,” the SC bench of justices RM Lodha and HL Gokhale said. The court further asked the Attorney General to assist the court in the case. The SC had on Monday taken suo motu cognisance of his adverse remarks against its order on his age row and decided to hear the contempt case from today. The apex court bench, which had dismissed Singh`s plea against the Centre on his age row, took cognisance of a news report quoting him on why the apex court had not decided his age on the basis of matriculation certificate if such document is relied upon to decide the age of a rape victim. "If the court can define the age of a rape victim on the basis of his matriculation certificate then why has the Supreme Court failed to decide my age despite checking and cross checking my certificate?" Singh was quoted as having stated in the report. Singh had on February 10 last year lost his legal battle on the age row in the Supreme Court which said the government decision on his date of birth will apply for his service matters, forcing him to withdraw his petition. The apex court had told Gen Singh that he cannot resile on his commitment that he would abide by the government decision to treat his date of birth as May 10, 1950 and rejected the contention of "prejudice" and "perversity". The apex court, however, had applauded his 38 years of service to the nation, saying that it was "proud" of having "meritorious" officer like Gen Singh The court had said that government decision on his age issue will continue to be there and refused to interfere with his service record which maintains his date of birth as May 10, 1950. (With PTI inputs)