SC accepts Gen V.K. Singh's apology

The Supreme Court Wednesday accepted the apology tendered by former army chief Gen. V.K. Singh and dropped the contempt proceedings which it had initiated, taking suo motu cognisance of his interview to a news channel casting aspersion on the court in his date of birth matter.

"Once an apology is tendered from heart" all that has been said by the general is withdrawn, "I don't think that matter should be pursued even for a minute", said Justice R.M. Lodha, heading the bench that initiated the contempt proceedings against the former army chief.

"Repentance is a tool that condones all acts of misdemeanour," the court observed.

The court also disallowed an attempt by a lawyer to raise the issue of what the general had said on other occasions.

"This is a matter exclusively between the court and the contemnor (Gen. Singh)" and "surely we don't want to enlarge the scope of the hearing", said Justice Lodha and Justice H.L. Gokhale.

The court took on record the statement by senior counsel Ram Jethmalani representing Gen. Singh wherein he said that all that has been said by the general in respect of the judiciary stands withdrawn.

As the court was told about Gen. Singh's autobiography "Courage and Conviction", Justice Lodha said "it is always good to read the experience of a general" but what we are concerned with is dignity of the highest court.

The apex court Oct 1 issued notice to former army Gen. Singh asking why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against him for his remarks questioning the apex court's decision in his date of birth issue, thereby tending to lower its authority.

The court had taken cognisance of Gen. Singh's statement in the interview where he had alleged pressure on judges in his date of birth matter.