PIL seeking Union minister VK Singh's removal dismissed by Supreme Court
New Delhi/IBNS: The Supreme Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to remove Union Minister VK Singh over alleged anti-Army statements he had made on February 7, according to media reports.
The court refused to entertain the PIL saying that it is the prerogative of the Prime Minister to add or remove ministers, and asked the petitioner to work for the welfare of the country instead of wasting his time and resources in filing such petitions, according to an NDTV report.
The petition was in reference to VK Singh's remark on the border stand-off with China along the LAC.
The petitioner - activist Chandrasekaran Ramasamy had contended that VK Singh - a retired four-star General in the Indian Army - had made the remarks that were in breach of his oath as a minister and had hurt India's global authority, as well as offering China a justification for its transgressions.
He argued that the government did not spare ordinary citizens for such remarks, and, so, VK Singh shouldn't be given any special treatment in the matter.
The court, however, refused to intervene in the matter.
"If the minister gives a statement... you file a PIL to remove him? It appears you (the petitioner) are a scientist. Use your energy to help the country," Chief Justice of India NV Ramana was quoted as saying by NDTV.
"If the minister is not good it is for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to decide, not us," he added.
In February, Singh's remarks had sparked controversy while he was answering a question on the China border row.
"With China our border has never been demarcated. Over a period of time, there have been transgressions where China says, 'this is my perception of the LAC'," Singh had told reporters, according to the report.
The report said that the controversial part of the remark was: "... none of you come to know how many times we have transgressed as per our perception. We don't announce it.. but let me assure you, if China has transgressed 10 times, we must have done it at least 50 times."
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