The top court in its verdict said men and women officers should be treated equally. (Photo Credit: PTI File)
New Delhi:
The Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the permanent commission for women in Navy and said that men and women officers should be treated equally. The bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud asked centre to consider granting permanent commission to all women officers in Navy within three months with increments.
While cancelling the prospective effect of a policy likely to bar women officers inducted before 2008 from being granted permanent commission in the navy, the Supreme Court said, “women can sail with same efficiency as male officers and there should be no discrimination.”
Also Read: Supreme Court Judgment On Permanent Commissioning Of Women Very Enabling: Army Chief Naravane
The court maintained, "Denying permanent commission to women officers who have served the nation would result in a serious miscarriage of justice."
Supreme Court grants permanent commission for women officers in the Navy. SC says, "women can sail with same efficiency as male officers and there should be no discrimination". pic.twitter.com/MfdtKNHfiA
— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2020
The apex court also pointed out that there cannot be gender discrimination in granting permanent commission to women officers in the Navy as Centre's policy of 1991, 1998 lifted statutory bar on enrolling women officers in force.
The bench, which also comprised Justice Ajay Rastogi, rejected the Centre’s stand that sea sailing duties cannot be granted to SSC (Short Service Commission) women officers in the Navy as its Russian vessels do not have washrooms for them, news agency PTI reported.
In February, the Supreme Court had cleared way for women officers to hold command posts in the Indian Army. In its judgement, the apex court had said, “women can't be totally ruled out for command assignments and that they will be considered on a case by case basis.”
(With PTI inputs)
