SC refuses to interfere in appointment of Army Chief

New Delhi, Apr 23: The Supreme Court today dismissed a PIL challenging the appointment of Lt Gen Bikram Singh as the next Army Chief but made it clear that its order would not affect any pending proceedings against him in cases including an alleged encounter in Jammu and Kashmir. After going through the confidential report, the court said the government had considered various allegations against him before clearing his appointment and opined “there is no justiciable ground” for hearing the PIL challenging his appointment. The petitioners, including veteran journalist Sam Rajapa and social activist M G Devasahayam, alleged that Lt Gen Singh is facing court of inquiry for his to take action against officers who were involved in sexual harassment and rape, when they were posted to Congo in 2008 as part of the UN peace-keeping mission and the case of face encounter is still pending in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. Earlier in the day, the apex court, after hearing the case for over one hour, asked the Centre to place before it by 2 pm the file pertaining to the appointment of Lt Gen Singh as the next Army Chief.