The Supreme Court on Thursday held that the Army’s selective evaluation process discriminated against and disproportionately affected women officers seeking permanent commission.
A Bench led by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud observed that the pattern of evaluation inherently caused economic and psychological harm to short service commission women officers.
We must recognise here that the structure of our society has been created by males, for males,” the Supreme Court said.
The Supreme Court held that the army’s selective Annual Confidential Report (ACR) evaluation and late implementation of the medical fitness criterion discriminates against women officers.
The officers wanted contempt proceedings be initiated against those who had allegedly did not comply with the court’s earlier judgment.
“Several of the women officers before the court had won several awards. Several had done well on overseas assignments,” Justice Chandrachud said.
In a landmark verdict in February last year, the Supreme Court had directed that women officers in the Army be granted Permanent Commission on par with their male counterparts.
The Court had, in the process, held that the Centre’s stance was based on gender stereotypes and societal notions on gender roles that men are physically stronger while women are weak and submissive.
The Court had found that those arguments were disturbing, apart from being contrary to Central government’s own 2019 policy.
It had, therefore, directed the Central government to implement the Court’s ruling within three months.
However, sixty women officers alleged that they were denied Permanent Commission in the Army on the ground of failure to adhere to SHAPE – I fitness and had moved the top court.
