After courtroom drama, it's business as usual for Gen Singh

Notwithstanding the developments in the Supreme Court on his age issue, it was buiness as usual for Army Chief General V K Singh as he arrived on an official visit to the South-Western Command here.

The army chief is scheduled to return from Jaipur to the capital tomorrow evening after which he will depart for an official tour to Britain from February 13 to 17, army officials said here.

Singh arrived here this evening and after reviewing the operational preparedness of army's youngest command, he will return tomorrow, they said.

Gen Singh will be in Britain on a five-day official visit starting February 13 during which he will tour training establishments and witness a defence exercise.

Singh will hold discussions with senior military leaders about the ways of strengthening defence ties between the two countries, army officials said.

After completing his official engagements on February 17, the army chief will take a two-day off there and return to India on February 20, they said.

Gen Singh today lost his legal battle on the age row in the Supreme Court which said the government decision on his date of birth will apply for his service matters, forcing him to withdraw his petition.

The court refused to interfere with May 10, 1950 as his date of birth maintained in the service record by which he will have to retire on May 31 this year.