Kargil hero cries foul

A petition by a Kargil hero on irregularities in promotion has left the Army red in the face, with the Delhi High Court directing the Centre not to regularize the posts of two Lt Generals, who were promoted in "dubious" circumstances. The Army has also been ordered not to approve promotions to the post of Lt General in staff without the court's consent.

The orders were passed on Monday by a double bench comprising Justice Mukul Mudgal and S. Khanna on a writ petition filed by Major General Lakhwinder Singh of the Regiment of Artillery. The 8 Mountain Division's Artillery Brigade, headed by Maj Gen Lakhwinder had provided the fire support which enabled infantry troops to re-capture the icy heights from Pakistan Army in the 1999 Kargil war.

Lakhwinder moved court as he was not promoted to the post of Lt General despite have been twice recommended by special selection boards.

In his petition, the officer said the government acted arbitrarily by denying him promotion. The board which has the final say on promotions to the rank of Lt General includes the Chief of Army Staff, Vice-Chief of Army Staff and six seniormost Lt Generals.

Lakhwinder's petition also raised questions on the manner in which two officers, Lt General U. Bhattacharya and Lt General A.K. Saini, were promoted just before their retirement by carving out vacancies for them.

Bhattacharya was appointed director-general, environment, and Saini director-general, ex-servicemen contributory health scheme, even though these posts are not held by Lt Generals. Bhattacharya would have retired on July 30, 2005 as Major General had he not been promoted on July 29.

Lakhwinder has named the Union government, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen U. Bhattacharya, Lt Gen A.K. Saini and Major General Y.K. Jain as respondents in the petition.