AFT Allows Karambir Singh To Take Charge As Next Navy Chief; Defers Hearing On Petition Challenging His Appointment

The Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) on Wednesday (29 May) allowed Vice Admiral Karambir Singh to take charge as the new chief of Navy on Friday (31 May), reports The Tribune.

The relief for Vice Admiral Singh came as the tribunal deferred the hearing on a petition challenging his appointment by nearly seven weeks. The petition was filed by Commander-in-Chief of Andaman and Nicobar Command Vice Admiral Bimal Verma alleging that he was overlooked for the top post of Navy despite being the senior most in the line of command.

“The AFT posted the matter for hearing on July 17 as government sought more time for placing records relating to Vice Admiral Singh’s appointment before the tribunal,” Verma’s lawyer Ankur Chhibber said, as reported by The Tribune.

He informed that AFT allowed Singh to take charge as the new Navy chief from incumbent Admiral Sunil Lanba on 31 May and that his continuation will depend on the outcome of the case.

Earlier on 22 May, the tribunal had directed the government to produce all the records and documents relating to the selection of the new Navy chief on 29 May. However, the government failed to produce the records and sought more time from the tribunal.