SC defers women army officers' petition on permanent commission

The women army officers allege that not even 50% of women applicants have been granted permanent commission contrary to the landmark judgement passed on February 17. While the reports from the Army say that 422 out of 615 were granted permanent commission.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today deferred the hearing on the petition filed by women army officers who allege that not even 50% of women applicants have been granted permanent commission in the Army contrary to the Army's claims of 422 out of 615.

In February, earlier this year, the Supreme Court had ordered the Army to grant permanent commission to women officers and later in July, the apex court had directed to do so within a month.

The bench led by Justice D Y Chandrachud which had given the verdict observed today that no precipitative action shall be taken till the next hearing and asked to file a counter-affidavit.

The counsel for the petitioners argued in the apex court that as per the list, officers who have been part of Operation Rakshak were granted permanent commission.

Read:SC hails grant of permanent commission to women officers of Army

Even though reports say that out of 615 officers, 422 were granted permanent commission, in reality, only 193 have been granted permanent commission, informed the petitioners. Let this not be a partial victory for the women, added the petitioners.

Justice D Y Chandrachud observed that they cannot be staying the release without the government's affidavit over the matter and deferred the hearing for December.

The women Army officers have been fighting the case for over a decade.