UNION OF INDIA & ORS. vs 627225 N MWO (HFO) SURESH PAL (RETD)

Judgment text excerpt

$~62 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 16951/2025, CM APPL. 69658/2025 & CM APPL. 69659/2025 UNION OF INDIA & ORS. .....Petitioners Through: Mr. Shekhar Kumar, SPC and Mr. Neel Kumar Sharma, Adv. for Mr. Harsh Kumar SPC Sgt. Manish Kumar Singh and Sgt. Mritunjay, Air Force (Legal Cell) versus 627225 N MWO (HFO) SURESH PAL (RETD) .....Respondent Through: Mr. O.S. Punia, Adv. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C. HARI SHANKAR HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE OM PRAKASH SHUKLA JUDGMENT(ORAL) % 10.11.2025 C. HARI SHANKAR, J. 1. This petition assails orders dated 30 September 2024 passed by the Armed Forces Tribunal1 in OA 1866/2019 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%, 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. 1 “the AFT”, hereinafter 2 318 (2025) DLT 711 Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:AJIT W.P.(C) 16951/2025 Page 1 of 8 KUMAR Signing Date:11.11.2025 17:46:49 3. Nonetheless, we have heard Mr. Shekhar Kumar, learned 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. 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 36 years and 6 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 Air Force. The declaration reads thus: 3. Did you suffer from any disability before joining the