Press release issued by army: Government to court

New Delhi, May 7 (IANS) The central government Monday told Delhi High Court that a March 5 press release, containing allegations against Lt. Gen. (retd) Tejinder Singh was issued by the army and it had no role in the act.

Tejinder Singh had approached the court after army chief Gen. V.K. Singh issued the release, naming him as the person who offered Rs.14 crore bribe in exchange for clearing a tranche of 600 sub-standard vehicles for the army.

The reply to the court was submitted by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) A.S. Chandhiok, appearing for the government, that the press release came from the army and the highest level of the army gave the permission to release it, so the government has nothing to do with it.

The court had earlier asked the government to clarify whether the press release issued on March 5 containing allegations against Tejinder Singh was issued by the government or by army officers, including the army chief, in their individual capacity.

Tejinder Singh has moved the court seeking its directions to the Army H.Q. for withdrawal of the press release. He alleged that the press release issued by army headquarters levelled serious allegation against him.

Tejinder Singh filed a criminal writ petition through his advocate Anil K. Aggarwal that said that army officers including army chief Gen V.K. Singh had issued the press release against him, which is defamatory. Aggarwal alleged: "In the press release derogatory statements have been made against the Lt General."

Seeking withdrawal of the press release, the petitioner sought from the court initiation of disciplinary action against the army chief and four other officers and its sanction for their prosecution.