Warned Of Contempt, Army Agrees To Grant Women Officers Permanent Commission

Picture courtesy The New Indian Express

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday had to warn the Indian Army of contempt proceedings before it gave an assurance of granting Permanent Commission to 11 female officers.

According to a Bar and Bench report, the bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna said that the apex court would initiate contempt proceedings against Army officials for failing to grant Permanent Commission to the women officers.

The bench was hearing a contempt petition moved by the 11 officers alleging Army’s non-compliance of the Supreme Court’s earlier order.

In case any officer was found unsuitable for permanent commission, it has to be communicated specifying the reason for rejection.

Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain, who appeared for the Army, then told the court that it has decided to grant Permanent Commission to the 11 officers and would seek instructions for further procedures.

Supreme Court had recently directed that 39 female officers be granted Permanent Commission in the Indian Army on or before November 1, 2021. The court ordered the Centre to allow Permanent Commission to the female officers who had been excluded on the ground of unequal application of fitness standards.

It was in February 2020 that the apex court upheld Delhi High Court’s 2010 ruling to allow grant of Permanent Commission to Women Short Service Commission Officers on par with their male counterparts.