New Delhi: In a landmark judgement on Tuesday, the Supreme Court struck down ‘systematic framework’ across all three wings of the Indian Armed Forces towards women. He invoked Article 142 to render ‘complete justice’, calling out the denial of permanent commission to women Army officers with short service commission on the biased assumption that women would never have a long-term career.
The beach was being headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Ujjal Bhuyan and NK Singh. They directed that the Permanent Commission already granted to women officials shall remain undisturbed. The Court stated that there shall be no interference in this regard.
The petition was filed by women officers of the Indian Air Force, including Wing Commander Sucheta Edan, who challenged the 2019 policy changes.
In its verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that those women officers (SSCOs) and interveners who were discharged from service at any stage during the proceedings shall be deemed to have completed 20 years of service and shall be entitled to a pension. However, the Court clarified that they will not receive any arrears of salary.
It made it clear that those in the service will be entitled to permanent commission, which is subject to grades obtained, medical criteria and disciplinary clearance.