IAF pilot's exit petition: Supreme Court sends notice to Centre

IAF has always held that millions are spent on training each pilot

BY A CORRESPONDENT
April 25, 2006

Supreme Court has asked the Centre why an IAF pilot's request for premature retirement should not be entertained.

Squadron leader Shakul Tyagi has been a helicopter pilot with the Indian Air Force for the last 13 years. A decorated officer of the Kargill war, he had sought premature retirement from IAF in 2004, on the ground of marital disharmony. He had said that due to problems at home, both his minor children have to live with their grandmother. Tyagi cited it as the reason to exit the Air Force.

Though two of his seniors recommended his release on "extreme compassionate grounds", the IAF rejected his request. Following this, he moved the High Court, which rejected his claim, upholding the IAF stand that the government spends millions of rupees in training each pilot, and hence cannot let pilots go for flimsy reasons.

However, Shakul Tyagi moved the Supreme Court, which has now sent notices to the Centre. The court wants to know why he cannot be relieved of his duties if he is willing to pay back what IAF has spent on him. Since he has served for 13 years, he should reimburse the money for another 10 years. Tyagi says he is willing to repay. The Supreme Court wants to know why such a petition should not be entertained.

The Indian Air Force says that its recruits are made aware of the supreme sacrifices they have to make for their country, and hence cannot cite minor reasons to seek premature retirement. However, Tyagi's petition says that the selective application of this reason is a violation of the Right to Equality.

Recently, the IAF was in the news after BBC News reported that over 200 pilots want to leave the IAF. The IAF later denied that there was any problem of low morale in the Force.