Ganesh Kendale
CHANDIGARH: Upset with defence ministry repeatedly challenging court rulings in favour of ex-servicemen, Delhi high court has warned the ministry it may impose penalties if such challenges continue.
“It is observed that despite repeated orders being issued by Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) and upheld by this court, the ministry continues to file petitions here, raising similar legal questions,” HC noted in an order released last week.
The court made the remarks in a case filed by Army and the ministry challenging the grant of a pension to a soldier in Defence Security Corps. HC has already dismissed over 350 petitions filed by govt on the same issue. Since 2023, Army and the ministry have been contesting AFT rulings on pensions and disability benefits across various high courts and in Supreme Court. SC has also issued various strictures in the past against excessive litigation initiated by the ministry.
In 2022, SC expressed “displeasure” over ministry appeals in disability pension cases, and earlier this year, it awarded Rs 50 lakh in compensation to a soldier with HIV who had been denied a disability pension by both Army and AFT.
In 2015, concerned about excessive litigation, PM Narendra Modi directed then defence minister Manohar Parrikar to find ways to reduce it.
