IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO.9389 OF 2014
UNION OF INDIA & ANR. … APPELLANTS
VERSUS
SURENDER SINGH PARMAR … RESPONDENT
The respondent joined the Indian Navy on 12th August, 1971 and after rendering 13 years, 10 months and 13 days service sought his retirement on compassionate ground upon which he was released from service on 24th June, 1985. The minimum qualifying period for pensionable service is 15 years. There is a provision in the Navy (Pension) Regulations 1964 for condonation of short fall in service, initially it was for six months and subsequently the condonation was made permissible for one year. The respondent claimed that he was entitled to the benefit under the said Regulations and the Government of India Instructions dated 30th October, 1987. The appellant denied the said benefit to the respondent vide order dated 14th August, 2001.The respondent initially approached the High Court of Delhi by filing Writ Petition (C) No.12507C of 2004. It was pointed out before the High Court that the Division Bench of the Bombay High Court in Writ Petition No.430 of 2005 titled Gurmukh Singhv. UOI vide judgment dated 22nd November, 2006 declared the Navy(Pension) Regulation 82 (a) as null and void being ultra vires to Article 14 of the Constitution of India. Regulation 82(a) provided that the benefit of condonation of shortfall inpensionable service shall not be applicable to the case in which a sailor got the discharge from the service at his own request. It was also brought to the notice of the High Court that similar finding was given by the Delhi High Court in the case of the respondent in Writ Petition (C) No.12507 of 2004 vide order dated6th November, 2007 and that the appellant-Union of India was directed to consider the case of the respondent for the purpose of condoning the deficiency in service and pass appropriate orders within three months. The appellant opposed the said prayer on the ground that the respondent has not completed the requisite service of 14 years upon which only one can get the benefit of condonation of shortfall of service up to one year. Therefore, according to the appellant, the respondent was not eligible candidate for condonation of the shortfall in pensionable service of one year. Before the High Court the respondent contested the statement made by the appellant that the respondent served for 13 years 8 months and 13 days and brought to the notice of the High Court that actually he served 13 years 10 months and 13 days which was not disputed. The respondent claimed benefit by rounding off the period of service in terms of Government of India Instructions dated 30th October, 1987. The Division Bench of the Delhi High Court after considering the rival submissions and taking note of instructions dated 30th October, 1987 by order dated 6th November,2007 set aside the appellants earlier rejection order dated 14thAugust, 2001 and directed the appellant to re-consider the case of respondent….read more