The Prime Minister's Office on Friday said Army Chief-designate Lt Gen Bikram Singh or his wife is not related to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh or his family and dismissed a media report in this regard as "scurrilous" and "mischievous".
In a statement, the PMO said, "the allegation that Gen Bikram Singh or his wife is related to the Prime Minister or any member of his family is completely untrue."
Commenting on the media report, it said, "this is a scurrilous, irresponsible and mischievous statement. Other newspapers or media outlets should not reproduce or repeat the baseless story."
Bikram Singh will take over as the chief of army staff after the incumbent Gen V K Singh retires on May 31.