“Likewise, it was also decided that initiation of action under Section 19 of the Air Force Act, 1950 read with Rule 16 of the Air Force Rules, 1969 by issuing a Show Cause Notice for dismissal/removal from the Service would bring the sensitive and secret issues in full public domain which would be prejudicial to the security interests of the State. Accordingly, a considered decision was taken by the competent authority to terminate the services of the petitioner and two other above stated officers under Section 18 of the Air Force Act, 1950, which stipulates that ‘every person subject to the Air Force Act, 1950 shall hold office during the pleasure of the President,” the reply added.
On March 9 last year, India accidentally fired a BrahMos missile into Pakistan, with human error causing the unprecedented incident. Two days after the accidental launch, India on March 11 attributed the incident to a technical malfunction during routine maintenance.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh also said that standard operating procedures (SOPs) for “operations, maintenance, and inspection” of such systems were being reviewed.
While Pakistan registered a protest over the “unprovoked violation of its airspace by a supersonic flying object of Indian origin”, both sides avoided a hostile or escalatory tone.
Six months later, on August 23, three IAF officers were sacked after a court of inquiry held them responsible for deviating from SOPs. Wing Commander Sharma moved the court on March 1 challenging this decision.
On the last date, additional solicitor general (ASG) Chetan Sharma, for the Centre, told the court that the accidental firing embarassed India before the international community and could have led to a warlike situation between the two neighbouring countries.
ASG Sharma said the petitioner was gainfully employed with a multinational company with a high salary, and approached the court after more than six months since his termination order was passed.
The court, however, issued notices to the ministry of defence, the chief of air staff and others on Sharma’s petition and sought a detailed response within six weeks.
Source- Hindustan Times.