JUDGMENT

Dr. Dhananjaya Y. Chanelrachuch, J.

Civil Appeal Nos 4605-4606 of 2019 (D No 27372/2015):

1. These appeals arise from a decision of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) dated 11 April 2012 together with its order dated 25 May 2012, declining to review the initial decision.

2. The appellant was enrolled on 12 January 2004 as an Airman in the Indian Air Force [IAF]. His regular engagement was to come to an end on 11 January, 2024. An advertisement was issued by the Bank of India on 7 August 2010 inviting applications for filling up 2,000 posts of Probationary Officers. While posted at the Three Base Repair Depot, the appellant responded to the advertisement and applied for the post of General Banking Officer in the pay scale of Rs 14,500-25,700 in August 2010. The appellant did so without completing the mandatory period of service of seven years. Moreover, he did not obtain the prior permission of his unit authorities. This was (according to the Air Force authorities) in breach of the provisions of Air Force Order 14/2008 which was then in force. The appellant applied for the issuance