A file photo of soon-to-be inducted Navy chief Karambir Singh. | IANS

The Defence Ministry on Saturday rejected the plea of Vice Admiral Bimal Verma who contested the appointment of his colleague Karambir Singh as the next Indian Navy chief, reports said. On April 10, Verma had contested the government’s decision against selecting him despite him being the senior-most officer in the force.

In its order, the ministry said seniority is not the only deciding factor in the selection of service chiefs, ANI reported. “The Central government after careful examination of the matter is of the opinion that this statutory petition dated April 10 from Vice Admiral Verma regarding his non-selection as the chief of naval staff is devoid of merit and be rejected.” the order issued by the Defence Ministry’s Joint Secretary (Navy) Richa Misra said, while adding that Verma was “found unsuitable to tenets of the appointment” of the chief of naval staff.