UNION OF INDIA & ORS. vs WG CDR GEORGE JOSEPH RETD NO 28298

Judgment text excerpt

$~75 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 10626/2025 and CM APPL. 44028-29/2025 UNION OF INDIA & ORS. .....Petitioners Through: Mr. Avtaar Singh Deol, Senior Panel Counsel versus WG CDR GEORGE JOSEPH RETD NO 28298 .....Respondent Through: Mr. Raj Kumar, Advocate CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C. HARI SHANKAR HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE OM PRAKASH SHUKLA JUDGMENT (ORAL) % 24.07.2025 C. HARI SHANKAR, J. 1. This petition assails order dated 22 April 2024 passed by the Armed Forces Tribunal1 in OA 1218/2023 whereby the respondent’s application for grant of disability pension on the ground that he suffers from Primary Hypertension with 30% rounded off to 50% disability has 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 Mr. Avtaar Singh Deol, learned 1 “the AFT”, hereinafter 2 2025 SCC OnLine Del 2018 Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:AJIT W.P.(C) 10626/2025 Page 1 of 8 KUMAR Signing Date:28.07.2025 12:28:39 SPC 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 Primary Hypertension (Fresh). From the record, including the proceedings of the Release Medical Board3, the following facts emerged: (i) The respondent had served in the Air Force for over 30 years 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 Indian Air Force. The declaration reads thus: (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 either by