New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the release of ten women naval officers, who are seeking grant of permanent commission (PC), from the services as scheduled on December 31 this year.
A vacation bench comprising justices Indira Banerjee and Aniruddha Bose took note of the submissions of senior advocate Meenakshi Arora, appearing for the women naval officers, and granted the interim relief.
In the proceedings conducted through video conferencing, the bench said the Centre and the Chief of Naval Staff can file their replies to the petition of the women officers and fix their pleas for further hearing on January 19.
"We will direct that the matter be listed on January 19 along with pending writ petitions. Meanwhile, there will be a stay on the order of December 18 (on release/retirement of women officers)," it said. The bench said the interim order would not result in any equity in favour of the officers.
Senior Advocate R Balasubramanian appeared for the Centre in the matters. The two separate petitions have been filed by ten women Short Service Commission (SSC) officers including Annie Nagaraj and CDR Vijayeta seeking grant of permanent commission in the Indian Navy. They were to be released from services on December 31.