In Brief
A soldier enrolled in the Indian Army in 1980 received four red ink entries between 1993-1994 and was subsequently discharged under Army Rules, despite having served 13 years and 7 months—just 1 year 5 months shy of pensionable service. The Supreme Court held that mere award of red ink entries does not automatically mandate discharge. The competent authority must consider relevant factors including length of service, nature of misconduct, and proximity to pensionable benefits. Finding that the discharge was passed mechanically without such consideration, the Court set aside the order and restored all benefits as if the discharge had never occurred."
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