New Delhi, May 28: Army Chief Gen V K Singh has justified the notice issued to Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag saying that he could not leave the Army in the dumps only because he was going to retire a few days later. Gen Singh retires on May 31.
In an exclusive interview to India TV Executive Editor Sanjay Bragta, Gen Singh said, the Court of Inquiry began its work in December-end and completed its work by April this year after which they file came to him.
"In such a scenario, what did you want me to do? Say, that I have nothing to do because I am retiring? Let the army go to the dumps ( fauj jaaye bhaad mein ).
"As the Chief, it was my responsibility to act, but then people began attributing motives to me.
"For me, all are equal. After all, I have only issued a notice, nothing more. To attribute motive behind this action is childish."
Asked whether Lt Gen Suhag was targeted because he was in the line of succession for Army Chief, Gen Singh said: "The army is not a monarchy, where you have a succession line. There is no such thing as succession here."
On the Rs 14 crore bribe offer, Gen Singh said, the matter could have been referred to the CBI earlier too. "This could have helped things in the long run. And here, our retired officer goes out and says he wants to take revenge."
On the Tatra truck issue, the Army Chief said, the Army was being palmed off technology of the Seventies, whereas the Czech army itself was using better, modern trucks.
"The Tatra truck costs Rs 25 lakhs in the Czech Republic, but they (BEML) were selling it to our army for Rs 73 lakhs a piece. Moreover the spareparts too were costlier."
On the Indian Express report about army units causing a scare in Delhi, the General said, journalists report such activity when they do not know how the Services work.
Every formation commander, every unit commander carries out such exercise to check mobilisation.
The civilians are never informed, not even the Army chief. There is no need for the formation commander to share info at any level."
On his age controversy, the Army Chief said, the age issue was closed after he was appointed the chief. "Nothing was done from 2006 to 2008. It was raised again by the same people who were opposed to my appointment."
Asked whether he felt hurt after going to the Supreme Court, Gen Singh said, "I won't say hurt, I feel laughing (mujhe hansi aati hai) . My disappointment was only beause there was no verdict. For me, even a day is as important as my whole tenure."
On the leak of his letter to the Prime Minister pointing out deficiencies in war preparedness, Gen Singh said, "letters are never leaked from the army, where a strong system and workstyle is in place.
The question as to from where the letter was leaked, is a matter to be decided by those who matter.
"An effort was made to give the impression that I leaked the letter. I was the person who wrote the letter, then where was the point for me to leak. These are all efforts to create baseless misunderstandings (be-fazool ki galatfahmi)."
On Pak army chief Gen Kiyani's offer to demilitarize Siachen, Gen Singh replied; "Kiyani Saheb has not said anything new. Then why should we discuss this issue (demilitarizing Siachen) all of a sudden.
So long as we have our boundary disputes pending with both China and Pakistan, we have to remain alert."
Asked about his post-retirement plans, Gen Singh said, "my first work will be to finish my PhD thesis".
