UNION OF INDIA AND ORS vs BWO BIJAN KUMAR GHOSH (RETIRED) (SERVICE NO. 677390-L)

Judgment text excerpt

$~69 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 5515/2025, CM APPLs. 25123/2025 & 25124/2025 UNION OF INDIA AND ORS .....Petitioners Through: Ms. Shagun Shahi Chugh, Sr. PC with Ms. Nandita Mishra, Adv. versus BWO BIJAN KUMAR GHOSH (RETIRED) (SERVICE NO. 677390-L) .....Respondent Through: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C. HARI SHANKAR HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AJAY DIGPAUL JUDGMENT (ORAL) % 29.04.2025 C. HARI SHANKAR, J. 1. This petition assails order dated 24 February 2023 passed by the Armed Forces Tribunal1 in OA 675/2022 whereby the respondent’s application for grant of disability pension on the ground that he suffers from Primary Hypertension with 30% disability have been allowed by the AFT. 2. The issue is covered by a recent decision rendered by us in UOI v Ex Sub Gawas Anil Madso2. 3. Nonetheless, we have heard Ms. Shagun Shahi Chugh, learned Senior Panel Counsel for the petitioners, and have perused the record. 1 “the AFT”, hereinafter Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:AJIT W.P.(C) 5515/2025 Page 1 of 8 KUMAR Signing Date:01.05.2025 21:09:10 4. The respondent was released in Low Medical Category on his being found to be suffering from Primary Hypertension. From the record, including the proceedings of the Release Medical Board3, the following facts emerged: (i) The respondent had served in the Indian Air Force for over 37 years 9 months and 26 days before he was diagnosed as suffering from Primary Hypertension. (ii) The respondent, in his self-declaration, specifically declared that he had not been suffering from Primary Hypertension prior to joining the Air Force. The declaration reads thus: 2. (a.) Did you suffer from any disability before joining the Armed Forces? If so give details and dates: NO The correctness of this declaration is not doubted eit