Ready to grant Permanent Commission option to eligible women officers in Army: Centre tells SC

The Centre told the Bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud that a swift decision would be taken within 10 days with regard to 11 women Army officers, who have approached the Supreme Court, to grant Permanent Commission (PC).

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As the apex court warned that it was going to initiate contempt proceedings against the Indian Army for failing to grant Permanent Commission to 11 women officers in line with its previous orders, the Centre submitted that it was ready to grant Permanent Commission to the officers before the court.

The Bench, in its order, noted that Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain said those officers whose case was not before the court in contempt proceedings, but met criteria laid in its previous judgment, would be granted Permanent Commission and necessary orders in this regard would be passed within three weeks from November 12.

Jain clarified that not just the 11 Women Short Service Commission (WSSCO) Officers who have moved the court in contempt as a part of 72 officers and who were not granted Permanent Commission till date, but even those officers who are not before the court but are meeting the criteria would be granted PC, subject to their willingness.

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During the hearing, the Supreme Court said it appeared that the directions of the court were not complied with, and warned that it would hold the Army and the Defence Ministry in contempt.

Justice Chandrachud cautioned ASG Jain, "We will hold the Army guilty of contempt. I am putting you on guard." The top court said, "The Army may be supreme in its own authority, but the Constitutional court of the country is supreme in its own jurisdiction."

-PTC News