SC trumps Defence Ministry; India’s only female gallantry awardee to continue service

New Delhi: A day ahead of her discharge from the armed forces, the Supreme Court on Thursday offered much-wanted respite to Lt Colonel Mitali Madhumita, by ruling that she will continue to serve in the forces.

The only woman honoured by Indian army with a gallantry award, Madhumita's tenure in was struck by indecision after the Ministry of Defence moved the Supreme Court against an Armed Forces Tribunal order granting her permanent commission.

According to a Hindustan Times report, Lt Colonel Madhumita, an SSC officer, had earlier declined the permanent commission that was offered to her.

But after completing her deputation in Afghanistan, Mitali requested that she be given another chance and that she be inducted in the permanent commission.

She appealed to the Armed Forces Tribunal in March 2014 after the Ministry of Defence refused to entertain her application, following which the tribunal directed the Ministry to give her a chance.

An appeal was filed in Supreme Court by government, challenging the decision by AFT on the grounds that her application was late and that it came after the selection commission for her batch was convened. “She is such an educated, qualified and courageous officer. The only gallantry award winner, she will be an asset to the Army. And if she wants to work and is ready to go for any posting anywhere, let her work,” a bench of TS Thakur and Kurien Joseph were quoted as saying. The court also said that she would continue to serve until it took a decision on giving her permanent commission.

Madhumita was awarded the Sena Medal in 2012 for tackling and managing the suicide attacks at the Indian embassy in Kabul in 2010 while serving in Afghanistan.