Agnipath Scheme: Delhi High Court Lists Batch Of Petitions For Hearing On August 25

The Delhi High Court will hear on August 25 a batch of petitions challenging the Centre's Agnipath Scheme and seeking resumption and enrolment as per previous recruitment scheme in defence services.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad was apprised by Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta that the Supreme Court yesterday transferred the petitions challenging the Agnipath recruitment scheme filed before it to the Delhi High Court, where similar matters were pending.

"I believe the matters transferred by the Supreme Court should be here. We are here to assist the Court," SGI said.

He added "There are two broad categories. One is where the Agnipath Scheme is under challenge. Second is where the select list is under challenge."

Referring to the Apex Court's order, SGI further said:

"There are two broad categories. One is where the Agnipath Scheme is under challenge. Second is where the select list is under challenge."

Accordingly, the Bench listed the matter for hearing on August 25 as the transferred petitions were yet to be received by the High Court.

"Let all matters come," said the Bench. 

It is to be noted that the batch of petitions which were to be heard by the Delhi High Court today were already pending before it and the same do not include those transferred from the Apex Court. 

About the Batch of Petitions

A PIL has been filed seeking to resume all recruitment process (of the years 2020 and 2021) cancelled due to introduction of Agnipath Scheme and to conduct Written Examination in all pending centres.

The plea has been moved by a candidate who had applied for the post of Soldier General Duty in Army Recruitment Rally at Sirsa from July 30, 2020 to August 8, 2020.

The plea also sought directions to prepare merit list and give permanent commission to the selected candidates as per the scheme of advertisements, prior to introduction of Agnipath Scheme across the country within a stipulated time frame.

Another plea has been moved by various candidates shortlisted as Airmen in Indian Air Force seeking issuance of enrolment list and completion of previous recruitment as per a 2019 notification, without being affected by new Agnipath recruitment scheme for armed forces.

Filed through Advocate Prashant Bhushan, the plea has been moved by 20 candidates awaiting their enrollment as Airmen in Indian Air Force in Group "X" trades (except education instructor trade) and Group "Y" trades (except automobile technician, Indian Air Force (Security), Indian Air Force (Police), musician trades).

The plea seeks a direction on the Centre to publish the enrollment list in terms of the 2019 notification and consequently issue appointment letters to the petitioners. It also seeks a direction that the 2019 notification shall remain unaffected by the Agnipath Scheme.

Another petition has been filed challenging Indian Navy's recruitment process and shortlisting criteria of person below officer rank.