New Delhi: The Supreme Court had refused to put a stay on the decision of government to appoint Lt. Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag as the next Army Chief. Suhag is set to take over as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on August 1.
Filed by Lt Gen Ravi Dastane, the petition seeking stay on Suhag’s appointment had alleged favouritism in the selection of Lt Gen Suhag as the Army commander in-line to take over as the Army Chief.
Dastane had contended that their appointment should be set aside as only one name per post was sent to the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) based on the principle of seniority whereas four senior officers who were eligible for the two vacancies should have been considered.
Lt Gen Dastane argued that he was the third senior-most officer eligible for the post of Army Commander of Eastern or Western Command. Suhag’s appointment as Army Chief was also questioned by former army chief and now union minister VK Singh.
However, the Centre while responding to Dastane’s plea had told the Supreme Court that the alleged lapses which were made as grounds to impose disciplinary ban on Army Vice Chief Dalbir Singh Suhag by then army chief VK Singh between April and May 2012 were “premeditated”, vague” and “illegal”.
“Evidently, the entire exercise to issue show cause notice was premeditated and as per records, the directions issued in this regard, including imposition of the DV ban and issue of show cause notice were found to be illegal,” it said.
Bureau Report
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