Indian Army agrees to grant Permanent Commission to 11 women after Supreme Court warns of contempt

The Supreme Court on Friday indicated that it was going to initiate contempt proceedings against the Indian Army for failing to grant Permanent Commission (PC) to eleven women officers in line with its previous orders..Just as the Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna mentioned the same, the Army submitted that it was ready to grant PC to the eleven women officers before the Court..Appearing for the Army, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain told the Court that he would seek instructions on the same..ASG Jain later informed the bench that the army has agreed to grant permanent commission to the 11 officers. .The Supreme Court proceeded to record the same in its order. "ASG has stated that above dispensation upon instructions have been accepted to subserve the interest of women participation in the army. We appreciate the fair stand of army authority in putting at rest all outstanding issues pertaining to women SSC officers," the order said..The Court also clarified that "that those officers who have disciplinary and vigilance clearance will be eligible to grant of permanent commission subject to their meeting other conditions.".The apex court recently directed the grant of Permanent Commission to 39 women officers in the Indian Army on or before November 1, 2021. This order was passed in contempt petitions raising grievance over the non-compliance of the Court's earlier judgment in Lt. Col. Nitisha and Others v. Union of India and Others.In that judgment, the Court ordered the Central government to allow PC to women officers who were excluded from the same on the ground of unequal application of fitness standards..In February 2020, the Court had re-affirmed he Delhi High Court’s 2010 ruling to allow the grant of Permanent Commission to Women Short Service Commission Officers on par with their male counterparts..Change mindset to bring true equality in Army: SC holds Permanent Commission should be available to all women officers.[Read Full Account of Hearing]