I am senior,don’t ignore me for top job,Navy commander tells govt

K N Sushil doesn't want his claim to become Western Navy chief ignored by govt.

Southern Naval Commander Vice Admiral K N Sushil has filed a statutory complaint with the Defence Ministry stating his claim to become chief of Indian Navy’s sword arm,the Western Navy — after the present incumbent Vice Admiral Sanjeev Bhasin retires next month — should not be overlooked as he would be the seniormost commander after the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma.

Government sources said Sushil filed the statutory complaint to the Defence Ministry via Naval Headquarters as he feels the government may appoint Vice Admiral D K Joshi,who is in line to become the next Navy Chief,as the Western Naval Commander. Admiral Joshi is presently chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) in Delhi.

If this was not enough,Joshi’s deputy and batchmate Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha has already represented before the government that he should be considered for a commander-in-chief posting.

Story continues below this ad

Sources said that Vice Admiral Sushil,a submariner,filed a statutory complaint last month and work is on to reply to the top Naval officer within mandatory 30 days after due diligence. Vice Admiral Sushil is senior to Navy’s Vice Chief D K Dewan and Eastern Naval Commander Anup Singh,both of whom are retiring on August 30,2011 and October 31,2011 respectively. Sushil retires on May 31,2012.

While Vice Admiral Sushil has not addressed his complaint against any particular officer,chances of Vice Admiral Joshi of succeeding Vice Admiral Sanjeev Bhasin on April 30,2011 could be hit. The Naval Headquarters was planning to give Joshi the western navy experience and then move him over to the Naval Headquarters as Chief after the present incumbent retires on August 31,2012.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
Indian Navy