Plight of Few Good Women from the Indian Army

Lady officers granted commission in the Indian Army in 1997 and who were due for discharge on 7 March 2011 can now, have a sign of relief; as the Honorable Supreme Court has restrained the Army from discharging them, pending a decision on grant of permanent commission.

It must be noted that the Indian Army had challenged the Delhi High Court verdict allowing women the grant of permanent commission in the armed forces (women officers till date are taken on SSC for a maximum period of 14 years only unlike their male counterparts who have the option of permanent commission during the short service tenure itself ). Though, the other two services went ahead with the decision, Army expressed reluctance siting various reasons and had appealed against the court judgment

The Supreme Court had last year stayed initiation of contempt proceedings against the Army on account of non-implementation of the HC orders when the government promised that it will dispassionately examine the issue of grant of permanent commission to women officers.

Despite being obtained the immunity from contempt proceeding, the Army continued discharging the lady officers and did not bother about the orders of the court. It was finally shown the might of the judiciary that no institution is above the law of the land.

Government of India has also instituted a high-powered committee headed by a Lieutenant General to examine the issue and on 11 January 2011 had sought six weeks to revert back to the court.

A lady officer, who had been discharged earlier due to non-implementation of the HC judgment, had accused the Army of suffering from gender bias in not granting permanent commission to the women who work shoulder to shoulder with other similarly placed gentlemen officers in non-combat arms of armed forces.