Quick Summary: The Delhi High Court has rejected a request from the Indian government to stop a disability pension from being given to former soldier Ashok Kumar, as decided by the Armed Forces Tribunal.
On December 12, 2025, the Delhi High Court, with Judges C. Hari Shankar and Om Prakash Shukla in charge, reviewed a request from the Indian government. The government was arguing against a decision by the Armed Forces Tribunal that allowed a disability pension for former soldier Ashok Kumar.
The Release Medical Board (RMB) had decided that Ashok Kumar should not get a disability pension for his heart condition. According to the RMB, which looked at his health in March 2015, his illness was not related to his military service. They said:
"The illness started in March 2015. There is no connection with military duties. Therefore, it is neither caused nor worsened by military service."
The court looked at similar cases, such as those involving former soldiers Dharmendra Prasad and SK Srivastava, where the Armed Forces Tribunal's decisions were supported. The Supreme Court has not changed these decisions.
Based on these earlier cases, the court rejected the government's request. Judges Hari Shankar and Om Prakash Shukla ordered that the tribunal's decision be followed within 12 weeks.
This decision shows the court's support for the Armed Forces Tribunal's rulings on disability pensions, especially when similar past cases have also been upheld.
