Vice Admiral Karambir Singh (left), the next Navy Chief, and Vice Admiral Bimal Verma (right), the current head of Andaman and Nicobar Command. 
Vice Admiral Karambir Singh (left), the next Navy Chief, and Vice Admiral Bimal Verma (right), the current head of Andaman and Nicobar Command.  
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Defence Ministry Rejects Vice Admiral Bimal Verma’s Plea Against Being Superseded For Naval Chief Position

BySwarajya Staff

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) yesterday (18 May) rejected the plea of Vice Admiral Bimal Verma challenging the supersession of his seniority while appointing Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as the next Chief of Naval Staff, reports The Times of India.

Stating that seniority can’t be the sole criterion for promotion, the ministry clarified that all norms were taken into consideration before the above said move, said the officials.

Verma had moved a military tribunal on 26 April questioning the appointment of the next Naval chief which, in turn, referred the matter to the Defence ministry to decide. Verma is a brother of former Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma.

The ministry clarified that a robust selection procedure was followed while appointing the upcoming Navy chief and that the petitioner was found unsuitable for the top job. The ministry also clarified that no irrelevant or extraneous considerations have had bearing on the appointment.

Karambir Singh, who is currently serving as the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief of the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, also happens to the be fist helicopter pilot to take on the reins of the force.