N.K. RANJIT SINGH Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE challenge in the present writ petition is to an order passed by the Armed Forces Tribunal, Regional Bench Chandigarh, Chandimandir (for short 'the Tribunal') on 31.07.2012 whereby an Original Application field by the petitioner for grant of disability pension remained unsuccessful.

(2.) THE petitioner while serving in 4 Sikh Regiment in Uri Sector (J & K) in the year 1996, was granted casual leave for 14 days i.e. from 12.03.1996 to 24.03.1996. However, when he was riding on a scooter along with Sepoy Bikkar Singh while on leave, suffered multiple head and other injuries on 23.03.1996. The petitioner resumed his duties after he was medically treated at Army Hospital, Delhi in October -November, 1996 but he was invalidated out from service on 30.04.2007 without any disability pension. The petitioner was examined by Release Medical Board. The Board opined that the injuries suffered by the petitioner is "head injuries (operated) and Right Lateral Rectus palsy with right sided homonymous hemianopi". The Release Medical Board opined that the injuries were not attributable to military service since the injuries were suffered during casual leave but opined that the injuries were declared as aggravated and connected with military service and assessed the same to be 50% for life.

(3.) THIS Division Bench in CWP No. 17792 of 2013 titled as 'Barkat Masih Vs. Union of India and others' decided on 23.05.2014, has examined the question whether personnel of the Armed Forces, while availing casual leave suffers an injury; whether such injury can be said to be during military service. It was held that injuries suffered by Armed Forces Personnel when on casual leave entitle the personnel for disability pension as such injury is deemed to be attributed during military service.