The Delhi High Court has upheld the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) order granting disability pension to two soldiers, observing that the possibility of disease and disability came as a package deal when one went to serve the country as a soldier.
The Bench of Justice C Hari Shankar and Justice Ajay Digpaul noted that the bravest of soldiers was prone, given the conditions in which he served the nation, to fall prey to bodily ailments which, at times, may be disabling in nature, rendering him unable to continue in military service.
In such circumstances, the least that the nation could do, by way of recompense for the selfless service that the soldier had lent it, was to provide comfort and solace during the years that remain, added the Court.
Questioning whether the selfless service rendered by the true sons of motherland could ever be truly compensated, the Bench observed that the grant of financial benefits such as disability pension were introduced to help soldiers who encountered disease or disability due to military service.
There were people who eulogised and revered these words, but stopped there. Then there were those who made it a part of their lives and were willing to sacrifice their all for their country.
These bravehearts sipped their hot cappuccinos by the fireplace, braving icy winds at the border, willing to lay down their lives at a moment’s notice, it added.
The High Court passed the order on two appeals filed by the Central government against the grant of disability pension to two soldiers by AFT.