M A I N   N E W S

IAF ready to take back
Air Marshal Masand, SC informed
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, March 14
The Ministry of Defence today informed the Supreme Court that the Indian Air Force (IAF) had agreed to take back Air Marshal Harish Masand, who was denied promotion and had subsequently retired, with full honours and financial benefits as an officer to be assigned work by the IAF chief himself.

A statement to this effect was made by Solicitor-General G.E. Nanavati before a Bench of Mr Justice Y.K. Sabharwal and Mr Jusice P.P. Naolekar after the court had expressed displeasure during last hearing about the IAF’s move not to consider him as part of the force’s system even on being taken back in service.

“He will be offered the rank of Air Marsahal with supernumary post and the Chief of Air Staff will personally assign work to him,” Vahanvati said, informing the court that this assurance had been given by the IAF chief as well as the Defence Secretary.

When Masand’s counsel Vivek Tankha said that it would not be a relief in proportion to the injustice done to him by denying the promotion when he had stood first in the Appraisal Report (AR) marks but given lower marks in Board Interview, Vahanvati said giving him benefit of seniority at this stage would “disturb” the entire IAF system.

He said the four officers whose promotion had been challenged by Masand, had been given sensitive assignments, which could not be reverted.