Indian Air Force Wing Commander Pooja Thakur on Thursday moved Armed Forces Tribunal after being denied permanent commission in IAF.
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According to news18.com, Thakur has termed the IAF’s decision as “biased, discriminatory, arbitrary and unreasonable”.
The Armed Forces Tribunal has admitted Thakur’s plea and asked the Air Force to respond in four weeks.
Wg Cdr Pooja shot to limelight after leading the Inter-Service Guard of Honour during United States President Barack Obama’s visit to India a year ago.
Wing Commander Thakur herself will soon bid goodbye to her uniform, coming close as she is to the end of her 14-year short service commission tenure. “There is no question of anybody being denied or selected”.
Pooja Thakur joined the Air Force in 2000 and is the daughter of an army colonel. “Presenting Inter-Services Guard of Honour to an important dignitary is a proud moment for everyone of us”, she had said.
The 37-year-old officer hails from Rajasthan and is a para jumper. The Army has around 1,300 women officers, IAF 1,350 and Navy 350.
“The government has not yet cleared women officers for Permanent Commission”.
The first batch of women fighter pilots, comprising three cadets, was inducted in the Indian Air Force on 18 June, the report said.
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The IAF gave permanent commission to women recently, giving hopes to many officers who were demanding it for a long time.
