A Delhi court Monday told former army chief General V.K. Singh that his application seeking permanent exemption from personal appearance in a defamation case is increasing the court’s workload.
Metropolitan Magistrate Jay Thareja was hearing a defamation case filed by Lt. Gen. (retd) Tejinder Singh against Gen. V.K. Singh and four other army officers for allegedly making libellous statements against him to the media.
The court granted bail to Gen. V.K. Singh and the four officers in July. Lt. Gen. Tejinder Singh alleged that the officers misused their official position, power and authority to level false charges against him.
The court asked Gen. V.K. Singh why he had not moved his plea seeking permanent exemption earlier with the other accused. The other four accused are serving army officers who were granted permanent exemption by the court Sep 19.
The court told the former army chief’s counsel that it would have to pass a separate order for his application.
“I will take stern action against him (General Singh). You are moving this application now. You should have filed it earlier along with the other accused. You are increasing my work,” the court said.
The court posted the matter for Nov 1 for further hearing.
