Was forced to accept wrong year

The alleged admission came at a decisive time in Singhs career,when he was set to take over as Army Commander in 2008,a crucial step towards his appointment as Army Chief.

In his petition before the Supreme Court,General V K Singh has zeroed in on three reasons why he had to to admit in 2008 that his year of birth is 1950. He said there was an apprehension that some proceeding will be initiated against him,a sense of discipline and the then Army Chiefs personal assurances.

The alleged admission came at a decisive time in Singhs career,when he was set to take over as Army Commander in 2008,a crucial step towards his appointment as Army Chief.

Singh was reportedly made to understand that he either should accept 1950 as the year of birth or face action that would eventually prevent him from becoming Army Commander,in turn,making him unsuitable for appointment as Army Chief.

The Army Chief in his 68-page petition reveals that the alleged admission was not a free admission.

Rather it was made in a hurry and not with total independence but under apprehension of some proceeding being initiated,as the petitioner Singh is a disciplined member of the Forces, he explained.

Referring to then Military Secretary PR Gangadharans letter on January 21,2008 informing him that his official year of birth will be 1950,Singh said he had to accept the direction in a reply on January 31,2008.

However,the alleged acceptance cannot be treated as an admission on the part of the petitioner Singh. It is pertinent to state herein that the acceptance in the letter dated 31.01.2008 was given in good faith and in the interest of the organisation, he said.

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In fact,Singh said he had accepted his year of birth as 1950 only in good faith and in the interest of the organisation,largely influenced by the assurances from the then Army Chief.

Singh said it was after a telephonic conversation with the then Army Chief that he decided to send a signal communication on January 24,2008 to inform that 1950 was acceptable as desired by then then chief of army staff and in organisational interest. He said that his letters to the MS Branch both on January 30 and 31 of 2008 accepting his date of birth as 10.5.1950 was again on the orders of the then Army Chief.

In the highest traditions of the Indian Army,he had no option but to comply8230; as also the assurances of his superior officer with the hope that he would bring the issue to a logical and ethical conclusion by accepting facts, he said. But Singh said in his petition that further letters to the then Army Chief seeking action on the determination of his age were not replied to.