'We welcome criticism of our judgment, but not motives': SC tells V.K. Singh

The Supreme Court on Wednesday criticized former army chief General V K Singh for his comments against the judiciary.

"We welcome criticism of our judgment, but not motives. If one can make such remarks against the highest court like this, we are heading for bad days," the apex court said.

General Singh has been given nearly a month's time to reply to a contempt notice.

The next hearing of this case will be on November 20.

The contempt notice was issued over Singh's alleged criticism of the Supreme Court's handling of his case against the government.

The former army chief had earlier in an interview questioned the court's handling of his case.

"If the court can define the age of a rape accused on the basis of the matriculation certificate, then why has the Supreme Court failed to decide my age despite checking and cross-checking my certificates," he said.

General Singh lost his legal battle on February 10 last year in a failed attempt to prove he was a year younger than what the army records showed.

The court asked him to withdraw his petition, and said the government decision on his date of birth will apply for his service matters, which maintained his date of birth as May 10, 1950.

General V K Singh had written to the Government that his date of birth was May 10, 1951 and not 1950 as entered on the basis of his application when he entered the National Defence Academy and confirmed by him during his service.