The Centre on Monday informed the Delhi high court that the press release issued in March, levelling allegations of corruption against Lt. Gen. Tejinder Singh (Retd.), was drafted and released by the Army after consultation with its top brass and the Union government had no role to play in it.
Additional solicitor-general A.S. Chandhiok, appearing for the Centre, gave the court a note which made clear the Central government’s stand on the controversial issue.
Hearing the plea of the lieutenant general seeking withdrawal of the alleged defamatory press release accusing him of offering bribe to Army Chief Gen. V.K. Singh to clear a defence deal, Justice Mukta Gupta asked the petitioner to prove in court that the right to reputation is a fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution.
“You show and satisfy me that right to reputation is a fundamental right. Do not argue in the air and come prepared with the case laws,” Justice Gupta told Anil Agarwal, who appeared for Lt. Gen. Tejinder Singh.
Justice Gupta said that prima facie it appears that the writ petition was not maintainable as other civil and criminal remedies are available with the petitioner to seek redressal against the alleged defamation caused to him by the Army’s press release.