New Delhi:  Vice Admiral Karambir Singh was appointed as the Chief of Naval Staff on March 23 as the incumbent Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Sunil Lanba is slated to retire on May 31. 

According to the report, Vice Admiral Bimal Verma, on Monday, moved court against his supersession. Verma is serving as the Commander in Chief, Andaman & Nicobar Command. Sidelining the set precedent of appointing the seniormost officers as service chiefs, the government has overlooked seniority even in case of Army chief General Bipin Rawat, who superseded two officers. 

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Verma has filed a petition in which he challenged the government's move to appoint Singh, an officer junior to him, as the Chief of Naval Staff. While Singh was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1980, Verma was commissioned into the Navy in 1979. Admiral Verma is the brother of Admiral Nirmal Verma, former Chief of Naval Staff between 2009-12.

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The ministry of Defence spokeperson said, "The government of India appoints Vice Admiral Karambir Singh, Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) as the next Chief of the Naval Staff. To assume charge on superannuation of Admiral Sunil Lanba on May 31.”

Singh will be the first helicopter pilot of the Indian Navy to hold the office of the Chief of Naval Staff.