HC seeks clarification on press release

The Delhi High Court on Friday sought an explanation from the Centre if the March 5 press release with allegations against former Lt Gen Tejinder Singh was issued by the government or by the Army officers in their individual capacity or as per the official protocol.

The Delhi High Court on Friday sought an explanation from the Centre if the March 5 press release with allegations against former Lt Gen Tejinder Singh was issued by the government or by the Army officers in their individual capacity or as per the official protocol.

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"The court will decide on the maintainability of the petition once the government clarifies whether the press release was issued by the officers in their official or individual capacity," Justice Mukta Gupta said asking the centre to seek instructions from the defence ministry and apprise the court of the requisite details by April 27.

The court gave the order on a plea by Lt Gen Singh for directions to the Army Headquarters to withdraw the release.

Lt Gen Tejinder Singh has urged the court to initiate disciplinary action against the officers mentioned in his plea. Tejinder Singh also wanted vice-chief of Army Staff S K Singh, Lt Gen B S Thakur (DG MI), Maj Gen S L Narshiman (Additional DG of Public Information) and Lt Col Hitten Sawhney to be made accused.

Lt Gen Singh said the release issued by senior Army officers, including Army Chief General V K Singh, was "defamatory" and sought its withdrawal.