UNION OF INDIA & ORS. vs SMT RAMA BHANDARI

Judgment text excerpt

$~43 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Date of decision: 17.02.2025 + W.P.(C) 2007/2025 UNION OF INDIA & ORS. .....Petitioners Through: Mr. P.S. Singh (C.G.S.C), Mr. Rohit Singh Lodhi, Adv. versus SMT RAMA BHANDARI .....Respondent Through: None. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE NAVIN CHAWLA HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE SHALINDER KAUR SHALINDER KAUR, J. (ORAL) CM APPL. 9464/2025 1. Allowed, subject to all just exceptions. W.P.(C) 2007/2025, CM APPL. 9463/2025 2. The present petition has been filed by the Petitioners, assailing the Order dated 31.05.2023 passed by the learned Armed Forces Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi (“Tribunal”) in Original Application (“OA”) No. 488 of 2019 titled Smt. Rama Bhandari Vs. Union of India & Ors, and seeking the following reliefs:- “a. Stay the operation of the Order dated 31.05.2023 passed by the Ld. Armed Forces Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi in Original Application No. 488 of 2019 titled as "Smt Rama Bhandari Vs. Union of India & Ors.”; Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed W.P.(C) 2007/2025 Page 1 of 6 By:NEELAM Signing Date:20.02.2025 19:24:35 b. Issue a Writ or direction in the nature of Certiorari, setting aside the Order dated 31.05.2023 passed by the Ld. Armed Forces Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi in Original Application No. 488 of 2019 titled as "Smt Rama Bhandari Vs. Union of India & Ors."; and / or c. Pass any other and further order(s) this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper in the interest of justice.” BRIEF FACTS 3. The facts necessary for disposal of writ petition are that F.Lt. Col. G. S. Bhandari, late husband of the Respondent was initially enrolled as an Other Rank (“OR”) in the Garhwal Rifles regiment of Indian Army on 16.07.1962. At the time of joining, he was medically examined and declared „Fit‟. Con