In Brief
An airman enrolled in the Indian Air Force applied for a civilian banking job without completing the mandatory seven years of service and without prior approval from his unit, breaching Air Force Order 14/2008. The AFT initially granted provisional discharge, after which he joined the bank. The Air Force later rejected his discharge application, cancelled the provisional NOC, and ordered his reinstatement. The Supreme Court held that armed forces personnel do not possess an unqualified right under Article 19(1)(g) to leave service—such rights are restricted under Article 33 to maintain discipline and operational readiness. The Court dismissed his appeal but, exercising discretion under Article 142 given the eight-year delay and impracticality of reinstatement, ordered the Air Force to issue a final NOC and discharge upon payment of Rs. 3 lakhs by the appellant.
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