HC issues contempt notice to Army chief
The Delhi high court on Monday issued contempt notice to the Indian Army Chief, Gen. V.K. Singh, for not complying with its earlier order of March 12 to grant permanent commissions to women officers who had approached it alleging gender bias in the armed forces.
Justice G.S. Sistani issued a notice and sought response from the secretary, defence ministry, by August 18. The order came after the court went through a petition filed by Lt. Col. Sangita Sardana and other serving women officers of the Indian Army alleging that the force failed to grant “permanent commission” to them.
Rakha Palli, lawyer appearing for women officers, argued before the court that the contempt of court proceedings be initiated against the respondent (Army) for “willful disobedience” of the judgement.
Ms Palli further clarified that the IAF has complied with the Delhi high court order and had in June granted “permanent commissions” to 22 of the petitioners but the Indian Army is yet to act on the order.
The high court had on March 12, in its landmark judgement, directed the government to allow grant of permanent commission to women officers serving in the defence services on the petitions filed by more than 60 serving and retired lady officers.
It had also turned down the plea of the government that permanent commission can be allowed only for future recruitment and the benefit cannot be given retrospectively for the serving and retired lady officers.
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