IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH
Ravi Malimath, CJ and Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, J.
Ravindra Nath Tripathi v. Union of India
Writ Petition No. 360 of 2002 (Jabalpur); Decided on 17.2.2022
Constitution of India -- Arts. 33, 14, 20 (2) and 22 (2) -- Air Force Act, 1950 -- Ss. 39 (b), 50 (b), 82, 83, 84 and 86 -- Army Rules, 1954 -- Chap. IV -- Air Force Rules, 1969 -- Rr.15 (2) (g) (ii), 24 and 31 -- import and ambit of Art. 33 -- constitutionality of Ss. 50 (b), 82, 83, 84 and 86 of Air Force Act and Rr. 15(2)(g) (ii), 24 and 31 of Air Force Rules challenged -- restriction or abrogation of fundamental rights -- Defence Force has to have highest level of discipline and zero tolerance policy -- airmen is backbone of Air Force Services -- normal principle of service jurisprudence cannot be made applicable to Defence Services -- Art. 33 empowers Parliament to determine to what extent any right conferred by Part-III of Constitution will be applicable to members of Forces charged with maintenance of public order -- such provision is made to ensure proper discharge of duties and maintenance of discipline amongst class of Forces mentioned in Art. 33 -- no reason found to declare any provision under challenge to be unconstitutional -- they are saved by Art. 33 of Constitution. AIR 1965 SC 247, (1982) 3 SCC 140, (1983) 3 SCC 401, (2003) 9 SCC 630, (1996) 3 SCC 65 and (1999) 3 SCC 709 followed. (2016) 2 SCC 627 and (2019) 9 SCC 253 distinguished. O.J.C. No. 1981 of 1984 decided on 23.7.1985 (Orissa), O.A. No. 38 of 2009 decided on 12.1.2010 and O.A. No. 47 of 2009 decided on 28.10.2009 referred to. [Paras 28 and 29]
Òkjr dk lafoèkku & vuqPNsn 33] 14] 20¼2½ rFkk 22¼2½ & ok;q lsuk vfèkfu;e] 1950 & /kkjk 39¼[k½] 50¼[k½] 82] 83] 84 rFkk 86 & lsuk fu;e] 1954 & vè;k; 4 & ok;qlsuk fu;e] 1969 & fu;e 15¼2½¼N½ ¼2½] 24 rFkk 31 & vuqPNsn 33 dk vfHkÁk; rFkk foLrkj & ok;q lsuk vf/kfu;e dh /kkjk 50¼[k½] 82] 83] 84 rFkk 86 vkSj ok;q lsuk fu;eksa ds fu;e 15¼2½¼N½ ¼2½] 24 rFkk 31 dh laoS/kkfudrk vk{ksfir & ewy vf/kdkjksa dks fucZ/ku vFkok fujkdj.k & j{kk cy esa mPpre Lrj dk vuq'kklu vkSj iw.kZ vlfg".kqrk uhfr gksuk vko';d & ok;qlSfud ok;q lsuk lsok dk es:naM gksrk gS & lsok fof/k 'kkL= dk lkekU; fl)kar j{kk lsokvksa dks ykxw ugha fd;k tk ldrk & vuqPNsn 33 esa laln dks ;g vo/kkfjr djus ds fy, l'kDr fd;k x;k gS fd lafo/kku ds Hkkx&3 }kjk ÁnRr dksbZ Hkh vf/kdkj mu cyksa ds lnL;ksa dks fdl lhek rd ykxw gksuk ftu ij yksd O;oLFkk cuk, j[kus dk Hkkj Mkyk x;k gS & ,slk mica/k vuqPNsn 33 esa mfYy[kr cyksa ds oxZ esa drZO;ksa dk mfpr fuoZgu rFkk vuq'kklu dk;e j[kuk lqfuf'pr djus ds fy, cuk;k x;k gS & vkf{kIr fdlh Hkh mica/k dks vlaoSèkkkfud ?kksf"kr djus ds fy, dksbZ dkj.k ugha ik;k x;k & og lafo/kku ds vuqPNsn 33 }kjk O;ko`Ùk gSaA , vkb vkj 1965 ,l lh 247] ¼1982½ 3 ,l lh lh 140] ¼1983½ 3 ,l lh lh 401] ¼2003½ 9 ,l lh lh 630] ¼1996½ 3 ,l lh lh 65 rFkk ¼1999½ 3 ,l lh lh 709 vuqlfjrA ¼2016½ 2 ,l lh lh 627 rFkk ¼2019½ 9 ,l lh lh 253 ÁHksfnrA vksŒtsŒlhŒ Øekad 1981 lu~ 1984 fu.khZr fnukad 23-7-1985 ¼mM+hlk½] vksŒ,Œ Øekad 38 lu~ 2009 fu.khZr fnukad 12-1-2010 rFkk vksŒ,Œ Øekad 47 lu~ 2009 fu.khZr fnukad 28-10-2009 fufnZ"VA ¼iSjk 28 ,oa 29½
ORDER
1. The petitioner has challenged the order dated 27.7.2000 (Annexure P/2), whereby, in compliance of the order dated 31.7.2000, the petitioner was issued a certificate of discharged from the regular Air Force Service. He has also questioned the constitutionality of section 82, 83, 84 and 86 of the Air Force Act, 1950 (hereinafter referred to as “Act of 1950) and rule 24 and 31 of the Air Force Rules 1969 (hereinafter referred to as “Rules of 1969”) being ultra vires and in violation of Article 14 of the Constitution of India; section 50(b) of the Air Force Act, 1950 being ultra vires and in violation of Article 22(2) of the Constitution of India and rule 15(2)(g)(ii) of the Air Force Rules, 1969 being ultra vires and in violation of Article 20(2) of the Constitution of India.
2. The facts of the case in short are that the petitioner was enrolled in Indian Air Force on 22.10.1990 on the rank of Corporal, at No.2216 Squadron, Air Force C/o 56 APO. The petitioner was served with a warning dated 21.6.1999 (Annx.P/5) of “Potential Habitual Offenders”. It was stated in notice that since the petitioner was at the threshold of falling in the category of Habitual Offender, hence he was cautioned and counselled to mend himself and desist from acts of indiscipline and was also warned that any additional punishment will render him liable for discharge from service under Rule 15(2)(g)(ii) of the Rules of 1969.
3. It is also seen from the facts that on 27.3.2000 (Annx.P/3), a show cause notice was issued to the petitioner stating that during his total service of 09 years and 2 months as on 31.12.1999, he was summarily tried and punished on as many as six occasions. All were “Red Ink” entries. Out of which, two “Red Ink” entries were not considered which were awarded for refusal to take part in “SHRAMDAN”, therefore, only four “Red Ink” entries were being considered. It was also stated that despite warning notice dated 21.6.1999, the petitioner indulged in an act of indiscipline on 13.11.1999 and on 15.12.1999, therefore, he was awarded “Reprimand” for the said act on 31.12.1999. It was further stated that the perusal of conduct sheet of the petitioner indicated that he was a poor airman material and not amenable to the service discipline. Taking into consideration the aforesaid acts of indiscipline, the petitioner was directed to show cause as to why he should not be discharged from service under Rule 15(2)(g)(ii) of the Rules of 1969. In the said showcause notice dated 27.3.2000 (Annx.P/3) “Red Ink” entries earned by the petitioner upto 31.12.1999 were taken into consideration. However, on 13.3.2000 (Annex.P-7), the petitioner was awarded one more “Red Ink” entry for absenting himself from duty from 1330 Hours on 24.8.1999 till he reported back to Main Guard Room at 0030 hours on 21.9.1999 (Total absence 27 days and 11 hours) which, however, is not the part of show cause notice, neither the same was considered for his discharge.
4. Pursuant to the said show cause notice, the petitioner submitted his reply on 8.4.2000 (Annx.P/6) and had alleged several allegations against Air Force authorities. That apart, he pointed out various anomalies in the provisions of the Act of 1950 and in the Rules of 1969, made thereunder, to submit that the provisions of dealing with officers and staff applies differently, the same is discriminatory and arbitrary. While questioning various practices prevalent in the department, the petitioner in para-E of his reply has stated that the decision on the show cause notice be taken at the earliest latest by sixty days and the same be communicated to him, and if the petitioner is discharged from service then a letter in this regard be given to him signed by Air Officer I/C Administration to fulfill the requirement of Rule 15(2)(g)(ii) of the Rules of 1969.
5. In pursuance to the order of discharge of the petitioner dated 31.7.2000 (Annx.R-4) in exercise of power under the provisions of Chapter-III, Rule 15(2)(
Adultery – Section 497 of IPC and Section 198 of Cr.P.C. are unconstitutional – Members of Armed Forces have their own set of laws.
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