New Delhi:The Supreme Court has expressed its disappointment over disqualifying women on medical grounds from the permanent commission in the army where women officers aged between 35 and 50 were competing with male officers aged between 25 and 30. The court observed that the leadership and bureaucracy in the army were thinking differently and that there was a need to bridge that gap.
The bench led by Justice DY Chandrachud was hearing petitions filed by women officers challenging their disqualification on medical grounds.
The court observed that women's medical status in 2010 has to be considered for granting permanent commission when the High Court had ordered it.
"All these women have served the nation and are still serving. They are in the saddle today. The army can not be oblivious of the fact that after 26 years of service they are only saying that at 52, don't expect us to compete with men at the age of 25 and 30," observed the court.
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On the argument by the army's lawyer that it will lead dilution of medical and physical standards, the court said that the women would have been fit if the authorities did not drag the case for years.
Back in 2011, the Delhi HC had ordered permanent commission for women in the army but it was challenged in the supreme court. However, the Supreme court also upheld the HC's order this year in February and ruled out the notion that women are weaker than men.
