The Supreme Court on Friday urged the army to address the issue of delayed promotions for women officers who were granted permanent commission in 2020. A bench consisting of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha heard the plea of 34 women army officers who claimed that junior male officers were being prioritized for combat and commanding roles. The bench expressed dissatisfaction with the treatment of these women officers and scheduled a peremptory order for Tuesday, instructing the army to set their house in order and prioritize the promotion of women officers. Additionally, the bench instructed that the results for male officers’ promotions in October should not be announced until the results for women officers are announced.
The bench questioned why the women officers were not considered for promotions in October and emphasized the need for fairness in the process. The plea has been scheduled for further orders on Tuesday, with the bench directing that no male officer shall be promoted until the process for women officers is complete.
During the hearing, the law officers representing the Centre and the armed forces assured the court of their commitment to the cause of the women officers. The court also raised concerns regarding the promotions of junior male officers while the senior female officers were being overlooked.
The senior advocate representing the women officers informed the court that 1,200 junior male officers have been promoted since the apex court judgment granting permanent commission to women officers. The advocate urged the court to ensure that no promotions take place before the senior female officers are promoted.
The court also sought clarification from the Centre about the steps being taken in response to the allegations of discrimination made by the 34 women army officers. The senior lawyer representing the Centre assured the court that a special selection board would be convened for women officers and that their grievances would be resolved.
The plea, filed by 34 women army officers, highlighted the discrimination they faced during a special selection board, which reportedly favored male officers much junior to them for promotion. The court questioned the army’s decision to hold a selection board for male officers but not for women.
The Centre assured the court that a special selection board would be convened for women officers against 150 additional posts that were awaiting approval from the Union Finance Ministry. The senior lawyer representing the Centre provided assurance that the grievances of the women applicants would be addressed.
