In August, over 72 women officers had approached the court challenging the Army’s decision, which found them ineligible for permanent commission.
The central government on Friday agreed to grant permanent commission (PC) to 11 women army officers who meet the eligibility criteria after the Supreme Court threatened to initiate contempt proceedings.
The Centre, which was initially reluctant, conveyed its consent to a bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud to give PC to the authorities within 10 days.
Women officers of the Short Service Commission (SSC), who have not approached the court but still fulfill various eligibility criteria, will be given PC in three weeks, the government informed the court.
In October, the court similarly intervened with the government in favor of granting PCs to 39 other SSC women officers.
The court finally recorded, “We appreciate the impartial stand of the army officers in clearing all outstanding issues relating to women SSC officers.”
contempt petition
The bench, also comprising Justice AS Bopanna, was hearing a contempt petition filed by 11 officers who alleged that they were denied PC despite crossing the eligibility limit.
However, the court clarified that “by way of utmost caution, it is clarified that the officers having disciplinary and vigilance sanction shall be eligible for the grant of PC, subject to the meeting of other conditions…”
In August, a little over 72 women officers approached the court challenging the Army’s decision, finding them ineligible for PC. He said he was disqualified despite meeting the 60% assessment threshold for PCs set by the court in a judgment last March.
The order had directed the government to provide PCs to “Women Short Service Commissioned Officers who have secured 60% marks in their assessment subject to fulfilling the medical criteria laid down by the Army Order dated 1 August 2020 and obtaining disciplinary and vigilance clearance.” did.”
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