Permanent commission: Navy moves to reinstate three women officers

A communication within Naval headquarters said that competent authorities had, in a letter dated April 15, conveyed that the Navy has “approved the reinstatement” of the three women officers. (File/PTI)

In a win for women in their battle for permanent commission in the Navy, three retired women Naval officers have received orders saying they shall be reinstated in the Navy. The three officers will be reinstated provided they clear the medical tests they have now been called for. The other officers, meanwhile, are waiting for a further hearing on the matter in the Supreme Court.

A communication within Naval headquarters said that competent authorities had, in a letter dated April 15, conveyed that the Navy has “approved the reinstatement” of these women officers — Commander Suman Kumari, Commander Supriya Sethu and Commander Pawan Preet Mann.

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In November, the SC restrained the Navy from releasing 17 women officers eligible for being granted permanent commission in select branches. The 17 petitioners had challenged the government’s decision to extend permanent commission to women officers in education, law and naval architecture branches to only those joining after September 2008.