M A I N   N E W S

Govt can’t release SSC women Army officers from service: SC
R Sedhuraman
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, April 20
The Supreme Court today took the government to task for releasing Short Service Commissioned (SSC) women officers of the Army from service at the end of their tenures despite the fact that the Delhi High Court had issued a directive on March 12, 2010 to offer them permanent commission.

“Why do you keep issuing release orders? We will stay these orders” to prevent complications, a Bench comprising Justices RM Lodha and HL Gokhale observed.

The Bench was hearing arguments on a petition filed by some of the women officers who have been asked to proceed on leave in view of their impending release from service on May 10.

The Defence Ministry counsel, however, resisted the court’s move, contending that a copy of the petition had been given to the ministry officials only last evening and that a decision was likely to be taken in a couple of days.

In the wake of the ministry’s decision, “there may not be any need for the court to pass an order,” the counsel contended.

Appearing for the petitioners, counsel Rekha Palli said though the government had challenged the high court verdict the apex court had not stayed the operation of the HC judgment. Hence, the government could not release the SSC women officers.

She, however, acknowledged that some such officers had been given provisional extension and some had been reinstated, pending the SC verdict on the appeal.