Calcutta High Court allows a sit-in by BJP ex-servicemen cell in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue in Maidan, with 200 participants. The protest is against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s comments on serving personnel after TMC’s stage was dismantled by the Army.
Today, On 7th February, The Supreme Court, led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna, refused to entertain a PIL filed by a former Army officer regarding the 1999 Kargil War. The court emphasized that matters of national defense fall within the executive’s domain and are not typically subject to judicial review. CJI Khanna stated, “The judiciary normally does not interfere in national defense,” reinforcing the separation of powers. The PIL sought intervention in decisions related to the war, but the court upheld the executive’s authority in military affairs.
The Delhi High Court dismissed a petition for constructing a foot-over bridge at the Rajputana Rifles Regimental Centre, stating it was up to authorities to determine its necessity. The petition cited delays since 2010, impacting soldiers and civilians, while the court emphasized the need to balance administrative duties with public welfare without judicial interference.
The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh held that the right to property now falls within the realm of human rights. Disposing of a petition, Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal directed the Army, which had occupied the parcel of the petitioner’s land since 1978, to pay the rent accumulated over the last 46 years within a month.
Lieutenant General Rajeev Puri’s review of eight women Colonel officers raised concerns about interpersonal issues, ego, and a lack of empathy among them, despite the Army’s commitment to women officers’ induction. He advocated for “gender neutrality” and emphasized the need for improved training to address these challenges and enhance leadership effectiveness.
An army court-martialed 11 soldiers for leaking entrance exam question papers for an engineering diploma. A havildar from the Bombay Engineers Group and Centre in Khadki, Maharashtra, received 13 months of rigorous imprisonment. Seven Summary Court Martials and four District Court Martials were ordered. No officers responsible for handling the question papers faced consequences. The defense challenged the transparency of the court martial proceedings. The prosecution relied on banking transactions to prove guilt.
More than 400 Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs) are seeking post-retirement benefits, alleging discrimination and citing violations of their constitutional rights. They argue that they are denied benefits under various pension schemes and are left without financial support post-retirement. The case, acknowledged by the Supreme Court, could have significant implications for similar cases in various sectors.