UNION OF INDIA AND ORS vs EX JWO HARVINDER SINGH

Judgment text excerpt

$~24 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 525/2025 & CM APPL. 2439/2025 UNION OF INDIA AND ORS .....Petitioners Through: Mr. Ram Kumar, Adv. versus EX JWO HARVINDER SINGH .....Respondent Through: Mr. Praveen Kumar, Adv. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C. HARI SHANKAR HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AJAY DIGPAUL JUDGMENT (ORAL) % 18.07.2025 C. HARI SHANKAR, J. 1. This petition assails order dated 8 February 2024 passed by the Armed Forces Tribunal1 in OA 1361/2016 whereby the respondent’s application for grant of disability pension on the ground that he suffers from Diabetes Mellitus Type-II2 has been allowed by the AFT relying on the judgment of the Supreme Court in Dharamvir Singh v UOI3. 2. The issue is covered by a recent decision rendered by us in UOI v Ex Sub Gawas Anil Madso4. 1 “the AFT”, hereinafter 2 “DM-II”, hereinafter 3 (2013) 7 SCC 316 4 2025 SCC OnLine Del 2018 W.P.(C)525/2025 Signature Not Verified Page 1 of 8 Signed By:AAKANSHA SHARMA Signing Date:23.07.2025 15:22:22 3. Nonetheless, we have heard Mr. Ram Kumar, learned Counsel for the petitioners, and have perused the record. 4. The respondent was released in Low Medical Category on his being found to be suffering from DM-II. From the record, including the proceedings of the Release Medical Board5, the following facts emerged: (i) The respondent had served in the Indian Air Force for over 22 years before he was diagnosed as suffering from DM-II. (ii) The respondent, in his self-declaration, specifically declared that he had not been suffering from DM-II prior to joining the Air Force. The declaration reads thus: 3. Did you suffer from any disability mentioned in question 2 or anything like it before joining the Armed Forces? If so give details and dates: NO N/A The correctness of this declaration is not do