New Delhi:Contempt notice has been issued to former Army Chief Gen V K Singh by the Supreme Court for scandalising and undermining its handling of his case against the government over a dispute about his age.

The apex court directed the former Army Chief to file his response by October 23.Recently, in an interview, the General allegedly faulted the Supreme Court judges who heard his case to prove he was a year younger than the army records showed. If he had won, he would have been eligible for an extra year in office.

But after the Supreme Court judges indicated they were likely to rule against him, he dropped his case.

A bench of justices R M Lodha and H L Gokhale also issued notice to publisher of a national daily which had published Singhs statement on September 22. “This court, therefore, takes cognizance of the criminal contempt and direct that notice be issued to him as to why contempt proceedings be not initiated against him,” the bench said.

Referring to Singhs statement, the bench said, “The same amounts to scandalising the court and prima facie V K Singhs statement tends to scandalise the judiciary and also tends to lower the authority of the court.”