Tejinder Singh files defamation case against Army Chief

Lt General (retd) Tejinder Singh on Tuesday filed a criminal defamation case against Army Chief V K Singh and others in a Delhi court, rejecting allegations that he had offered Rs 14 crore as bribe to strike a defence deal.

Tejinder Singh asked the court to summon and initiate proceedings against General Singh for making the "libelous" statement in media.

The Army chief had claimed in media interviews that a lobbyist, who had "just" retired, offered him a bribe of Rs 14 crore for clearing a file relating to purchase of a tranche of 600 "sub-standard" vehicles of a particular make and he had immediately informed defence minister A K Antony.

In a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha, Antony said the Army chief had told him about retired Lt Gen Tejinder Singh allegedly offering him the bribe, which he heard with "shock" and asked him to take action against the person. But the Army chief did not want to pursue the matter for unknown reasons, the minister said.