33 years after ignominious exit, SC orders ex-IAF pilots to bid farewell with honor

New Delhi: Stating that honor is of the utmost importance for defense personnel, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed that a septuagenarian former Indian Air Force pilot who had to face a dishonorable discharge 33 years ago should now bid farewell with honors as his dismissal was arbitrary and against the law.After a protracted legal battle of 33 years, the officer was rehabilitated and the SC held that his dismissal was illegal and directed the Center to grant him 50% of his salary and allowances along with all promotion and pension benefits from 1993 to the date of his retirement.“Justice demands that the disgrace which the appellant has endured for more than thirty years be removed, that the wrongful termination of his service be undone and that his honour be restored… The dismissal order of 22 September 1993 was revoked. The appellant was beyond retirement age and could not resume service. However, as a matter of law, he is entitled to claim all consequential service benefits that he would have received had he not been subject to such illegal dismissal order,” Justices Dipankar Datta and KV Viswanathan said.“Reinstatement of honor remains a paramount concern for defense personnel. Our instructions for restoration of honor are that on a date fixed by the Chief of Air Staff, the appellant should sign in the normal manner, failing which he would be entitled to a dismissal order,” the bench said. Lieutenant R. Sood was ordered by his superiors to throw a drunk driver off campus and follow orders to take him to a desolate place where a body was later found. He was tried in the criminal court but released as there was no evidence against him. However, he was court-martialed and dismissed in 1993.