SC upholds dismissal of IAF corporal

The Supreme Court has upheld the Indian Air Force's decision to dismiss from service a corporal who had damaged the electrical wires of 14 aircraft, grounding them for two days in March 1994.

"The charge against the appellant was of a serious nature having regard to the force in which he was employed," a Bench comprising Justice Y K Sabharwal and Justice D M Dharmadhikari said, taking serious note of the unprecedented action by corporal Swadesh Pal Baliyan.

Also Read Govt to move SC in IAF promotions case Air chief indicted in promotions case

Baliyan had moved the apex court challenging a high court order upholding his dismissal.

A court of inquiry instituted by the IAF, after detecting that 14 aircrafts developed technical snags, found that it was a deliberate act by Baliyan, who was issued notice to show cause why he should not be dismissed from service.

The dismissed corporal resorted to a prolonged litigation over the validity of the notice, the findings of the court of inquiry as well as that of a second court of inquiry instituted by the air force to find out the involvement of other personnel in the sabotage activity.

Taking his confessional statement during the inquiry as the base, the Supreme Court said it is not necessary to examine in depth vague allegations in the corporal's explanation given after four-and-half years.