SC orders Arshnoor Kaur’s induction into army’s JAG post, slams gender-based vacancy cap
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Indian Army to induct Arshnoor Kaur into the Judge Advocate General (JAG) branch. The court strongly criticised the Centre for allocating fewer posts to women despite declaring the cadre “gender neutral.”
A bench of Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Manmohan called the disparity, three posts for women compared to six for men, “arbitrary” and a violation of the right to equality.
“No nation can be secure if such policies are followed. The executive cannot reserve vacancies for men… The true meaning of gender neutrality and the 2023 rules is that the Union shall select the most meritorious candidates,” the court observed.
The bench noted that both petitioners in the case had ranked 4th and 5th in merit, ahead of several male candidates, but were excluded solely because of the reduced number of seats earmarked for women.
Granting relief only to Kaur, the court directed the Army to publish a combined merit list for future recruitment and select candidates irrespective of gender, while the second petitioner’s plea was dismissed.
During earlier hearings, the court had remarked: “If it’s permissible in the Air Force for a lady to fly a Rafale, what is so very difficult for the Army to appoint them in the JAG?”
The Army’s JAG branch comprises legally qualified officers who advise on military law, handle disciplinary proceedings, and ensure compliance with legal and human rights standards.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati had defended gender-based quotas, citing manpower assessments and pointing out that some Army branches, such as medical and dental, are reserved exclusively for women, an arrangement currently under legal challenge in the Delhi High Court.
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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
