Court notice on fake encounter involving Lt Gen Bikram Singh

New Delhi: An alleged fake encounter in Jammu and Kashmir in 2001 may return to haunt Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Bikram Singh, one of the top contenders in the race for being the next army chief. A petition by the mother of an alleged militant killed in firing by Rashtriya Rifles personnel in South Kashmir’s Anantnag town in March 2001 has prompted the Jammu and Kashmir High Court to issue notice to the state covernment and the defence ministry seeking their response.[caption id=“attachment_178281” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Lt Gen Bikram Singh. Image courtesy Eastern Army Command”]  [/caption] Lt Gen Singh, then a Brigadier, was heading the 5 Sector Rashtriya Rifles headquartered in Janglat Mandi in Anantnag. Zaituna, the mother of the alleged militant killed in the firing, had accused Lt Gen Singh of staging the alleged fake encounter. Lt Gen Singh, one of the seniormost army officials after the army chief, is said to be one of the front-runners for the top job. Asked about media reports on the encounter issue and whether it would hurt his chances of becoming the next army chief, General VK Singh said, “I have no clue about it.” “This report is with you (media). When it comes to us, after that only we can tell you that what can be done with that,” he added. PTI