UNION OF INDIA & ORS. vs LT COL C PREVEEN RETD

Judgment text excerpt

$~54 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 5675/2025, CM APPL. 25934/2025 & CM APPL. 25935/2025 UNION OF INDIA & ORS. .....Petitioners Through: Mr. Himanshu Pathak, SPC with Mr. Amit Singh Adv. Major Anish Muralidhar for Army versus LT COL C PREVEEN RETD .....Respondent Through: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C. HARI SHANKAR HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AJAY DIGPAUL JUDGMENT (ORAL) % 01.05.2025 C. HARI SHANKAR, J. 1. This petition assails order dated 21 August 2023 passed by the Armed Forces Tribunal1 in OA 1216/2020 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. 1 “the AFT”, hereinafter 2 2025 SCC OnLine Del 2018 Signature Not Verified W.P.(C) 5675/2025 Page 1 of 9 Digitally Signed By:AJIT KUMAR Signing Date:03.05.2025 16:36:31 3. Nonetheless, we have heard Mr. Himanshu Pathak, learned Senior Panel 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 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 Army for over 21 years and 9 months 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 Army. The declaration reads thus: 4. 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 The correctness