‘Jawans’ leave request can’t be treated with iron fist’

Concerned over the increasing number of cases of defence personnel posted far from home indulging in acts of violence and belligerence against seniors for denial of leave, the Delhi High Court has called for a more “humane and compassionate” approach on the issue.

Concerned over the increasing number of cases of defence personnel posted far from home indulging in acts of violence and belligerence against seniors for denial of leave, the Delhi High Court has called for a more “humane and compassionate” approach on the issue.

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The court also warned that their dismissal for such acts of indiscipline can be dangerous as those trained in firearms can be lured by extremist forces. The court said it had come across several cases of jawans indulging in “violent deviant behaviour” after being denied leave or extension of leave.

“It may be true that they (defence personnel) are members of a disciplined force but that does not mean they are not human beings and does not possess human emotions. They cannot be treated with an iron fist and without a human touch”, said a bench headed by Justice Pradeep Nandrajog.

“We are informed that training of a jawan costs around R3 lakh. It would be dangerous to render unemployed jawans as they are trained in firearms; the danger of them being induced by gangsters cannot be ruled out...” the court said.

Under influence of liquor, he had in July 2006 abused senior officials and threatened to kill them after he was denied leave to go home because his wife, at an advanced stage of pregnancy, faced complications.

“We read and treat his utterances as only an expression of extreme anguish. He never named any officer whom he threatened to kill. He only said that if something happened to his wife or his unborn child, he would kill the senior officers,” the court said.