UNION OF INDIA SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE SOUTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI & ORS. vs EX WO HIRA LAL PRASAD

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI W.P.(C) 5150/2025, CM APPL. 23452/2025 & CM APPL. 23453/2025 UNION OF INDIA SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE SOUTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI & ORS. .....Petitioners Through: Mr. Aditya, Adv. for Mr. Padmesh Mishra, CGSC. versus EX WO HIRA LAL PRASAD .....Respondent Through: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C. HARI SHANKAR HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AJAY DIGPAUL JUDGMENT (ORAL) % 23.04.2025 C. HARI SHANKAR, J. 1. This writ petition challenges order dated 23 November 2023 passed by the Armed Forces Tribunal1 in OA 2105/2022, whereby the claim of the respondent for disability pension has been allowed by the AFT. 2. We note that this writ petition has been filed nearly one and a half years after the order passed by the AFT on 23 November 2023. There is not a whisper of an averment in the petition explaining the delay. In our view, the writ petition is liable to be dismissed even on 1 “the AFT”, hereinafter W.P.(C) 5150/2025 3. Nonetheless, as the issue in controversy is no longer res integra, we proceed to examine the matter on merits. 4. We have heard Mr. Aditya, learned Counsel who appears for Mr. Padmesh Mishra, learned Central Government Standing Counsel for the pet