Summary:
JAIPUR: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the IAF to grant permanent commission to Wing Commander Pooja Thakur . Thakur, who hails from Rajasthan , had sued the IAF after being denied full service. SC has upheld AFT’s order which also stated that no back wages will be given to her since she has been out of service.”Thakur is the daughter of an Army colonel and is based in Rajasthan. IAF went to the top court against the order which was dismissed on Tuesday.Her lawyer, Major(retd) S S Pandey told TOI, “The case has been going on for the last two years and the SC has now ordered that my client should be reinstated and given permanent commission within a month. She had led the guard of honour for former US President Barack Obama in 2015 and had gone to court in 2016 regarding permanent commission.The SC has now directed the IAF to grant her permanent commission within a month.According to Thakur’s complaint in Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), she was not allowed to opt for permanent commission in 2005-2006 and was instead made to take extension for another short service commission tenure in the IAF.She had joined the forces in 2001 as a short service commissioned officer which means that she was to serve for a maximum of 14 years and retire without benefits.She was made to retire in 2016 following which she filed a case in AFT for denial of permanent commission.In July 2017, the AFT had ordered that Thakur be reinstated and considered for a permanent commission as per her eligibility and policy..