In a recent decision, the Bombay High Court ruled in favor of several military veterans who were denied disability pensions. The court agreed that the Armed Forces Tribunal had correctly granted these pensions, despite objections from the Government of India.
On January 23, 2026, Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam A. Ankhad announced an important decision. This case involved multiple requests from military personnel who wanted disability pensions for conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and other illnesses. These conditions were claimed to be worsened by their military service.
Lt. Col. S.K. Rathore's case was a key focus. He had to retire early in 2003 because of diabetes, which got worse due to his service. Even after his death in 2014, the Tribunal granted his widow the disability pension, acknowledging the challenges he faced during missions in places like Imphal and Ladakh.
"Continued difficult service conditions as an Infantry Officer could have negatively affected my health." - Lt. Col. S.K. Rathore
The Government of India argued that the Medical Board's opinion, which often denied the connection between service and illness, should be final. They claimed that lifestyle diseases found at non-combat stations were not related to military service.
The court emphasized that the Tribunal has the power to review the Medical Board's conclusions. It stressed that it is the employer's responsibility to prove that a condition is not related to service.
"The decision of the Invaliding Medical Board must consider other factors such as service conditions." - Bombay High Court
The court dismissed the Government of India's petitions, upholding the Tribunal's decision to grant pensions. This ruling highlights the importance of considering service conditions and provides relief to many veterans seeking disability pensions.
