Delhi High Court Seeks Centre's Response On Batch Of Pleas Concerning Agnipath Scheme

The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought response from the Central Government in a bunch of pleas challenging its 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 granted four weeks time to the Centre for filing reply in the pleas, while posting the matter for hearing on October 19.

The Bench however refused to pass any interim order in the matter and said that it will be hearing the matter finally.

The Bench was apprised by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati that a consolidated reply will be filed in the pleas concerning the Agnipath Scheme, addressing recruitment in various posts.

Since the batch of pleas pertain to issues concerning advertisement for recruitment for posts of soldier, airmen, sailor etc, the Court said that the Centre must also filed a detailed response in individual cases as well.

The batch of pleas included those already pending before the Court and others which were recently transferred from the Apex Court. The Court was also informed that apart from the transferred batch, about 7-8 other petitions are yet to be transferred.

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.