UNION OF INDIA & ORS. vs 5850584 H EX RFN RAMESH SINGH

Judgment text excerpt

$~39 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 16600/2025 UNION OF INDIA & ORS. .....Petitioners Through: Mr. Ramjeey Pandey, SPC Major Anish Muralidhar, Army versus 5850584 H EX RFN RAMESH SINGH ....Respondent Through: Mr. Praveen Kumar, Adv. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C. HARI SHANKAR HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE OM PRAKASH SHUKLA JUDGMENT(ORAL) % 03.11.2025 C. HARI SHANKAR, J. 1. This petition assails order dated 18 July 2024 passed by the Armed Forces Tribunal1 in OA 1759/2018 whereby the respondent’s application for grant of disability pension on the ground that he suffers from Optic Neuropathy (LT) Eye with 20%, lifelong, 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. Ramjeey Pandey, learned SPC for the petitioners, and have perused the record. 1 “the AFT” hereinafter 2 318 (2025) DLT 711 Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:AJIT W.P.(C) 16600/2025 Page 1 of 8 KUMAR Signing Date:04.11.2025 18:05:10 4. The respondent was released in Low Medical Category on his being found to be suffering from “Optic Neuropathy(LT) Eye”. From the record, including the proceedings of the Release Medical Board3, the following facts emerged: (i) The respondent had served in the Army for over 17 years and 10 months before he was diagnosed as suffering from Optic Neuropathy(LT) Eye. (ii) The respondent, in his self-declaration, specifically declared that he had not been suffering from Optic Neuropathy(LT) Eye to joining the Army. The declaration reads thus: 3. 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 the RMB or by the petitioner before the AFT or before