Formulate Policy For Posting Of Serving Armed Forces Personnel With Disabled Dependents: Delhi HC To Centre [Read Order]

The Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to formulate a policy for posting of serving armed forces personnel who have disabled dependents.

The order was passed by a Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice J.R. Midha on three Petitions filed by Mr. R.K. Pandey, Mr. Syed Shahid Wahid and Mr. Jitender Singh.

During a recent hearing, the Court took note of an Office Memorandum dated 7 September, 2017, whereby the 'Policy guidelines/instructions for rehabilitation of disabled Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) personnel/rehabilitation of disabled dependents of CAPFs personnel' had been notified by the Centre.

It, however, noted that the Petitions related to serving personnel who were care givers for disabled dependants. The authorities, it said, needed to consider this aspect of the need of disabled dependents and were required to formulate a policy for posting of personnel who are such care givers.

The Policy, it then opined, did not address this issue and observed, "In fact the respondents have completely misdirected themselves into formulating these guidelines for rehabilitation of disabled personnel of the force."

At this juncture, the Counsels for the Respondents sought a short adjournment to have the matter re-examined. Granting them more time, the Court directed them to complete the exercise within six weeks. The guidelines so framed, it said, would apply to para military forces including the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, etc.

The matter has now been listed on 16 March.