Kerala High Court
Emr Upendra Durgadas (Ex No.123100-Z) vs Union Of India on 8 August, 2025
W.P(C).No.18230 of 2024 1 2025:KER:58978
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI
&
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SYAM KUMAR V.M.
TH
FRIDAY, THE 8
DAY OF AUGUST 2025 / 17TH SRAVANA,
1947
WP(C) NO. 18230 OF 2024
AGAINST THE ORDER DATED 30.06.2023 (EXHIBIT P3) IN
(
O.A.NO
.121 OF 2021 PASSED BY THE HON'BLE ARMED FORCES
TRIBUNAL)
PETITIONER/APPLICANT:
MR UPENDRA DURGADAS (EX NO.123100-Z)
E
AGED 45 YEARS
S/O LATE KN PADMANABHAN NAIR PADMINI BHANAVAN
PANAMANNA SOUTH P.O, OTTAPPALAM, PALAKKAD DIST,
KERALA, PIN - 679501
Y ADVS.
B
SHRI.RATHEESH B.
SHRI.GYOTHISH CHANDRAN
SHRI.SANUJU R.
RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS:
1
NION OF INDIA
U
REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY MINISTRY OF DEFENCE,
SOUTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI, PIN - 110011
2
HE CHIEF OF THE NAVY STAFF
T
INTEGRATED HEAD QUARTERS OF MOD (NAVY) SOUTH BLOCK,
NEW DELHI, PIN - 110011
W.P(C).No.18230 of 2024 2 2025:KER:58978
3
HE COMMODORE
T
BUREAU OF SAILORS, CHEETAH CAMP MANKHURD, MUMBAI,
PIN - 400088
4
CDA NAVY(PENSIONS)
P
POST BOX NO. 589, NO.1 COOPERAGE ROAD MUMBAI,
PIN - 400039
Y ADV O.M.SHALINA,
B
DEPUTY SOLICITOR GENERAL OF INDIA
HIS
T WRIT
PETITION
(CIVIL)
HAVING
BEEN
FINALLY
HEARD
ON
29.07.2025,
THE
COURT ON 08.08.2025 DELIVERED THE
FOLLOWING:
W.P(C).No.18230 of 2024 3 2025:KER:58978
JUDGMENT
Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari, J.
Heard finally with the consent of both the parties.
2. The present writ petition under Article 226 of the
Constitution of India has been filed challenging the Ext.P3
order dated 30.06.2023 passed by the Armed Forces Tribunal
(AFT), Regional Bench, Kochi inO.A.No.121 of 2021.
3.Thebrieffactsofthecasearethatthepetitionerwasan
Ex Sailor with No.123100 Z , who was recruited in the Indian
Navyon23.01.1998.Hewasdeclaredasadeserteron03.12.2003
anddisciplinaryproceedingswereinitiatedagainsthim.Hewas
dismissed from service on 16.04.2010 for his absence from
service. Being aggrieved, the petitioner preferred a
W.P(C).No.18230 of 2024 4 2025:KER:58978
representationdated03.03.2020forgrantofdisabilitypension,
whichwasrejectedbytherespondents. TheAFTdismissedthe
OriginalApplicationonmeritsaswellasonthegroundofdelay
of more than 11 years in approaching the Tribunal.
4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submittedthat
thepetitionerhassustainedinjuriesduringswimmingpractice
while on duty. Though the petitioner was in a low medical
category,theMedicalBoardwasnotconvincedbecausehehad
beendeclaredadeserter.Subsequently,hewasdismissedfrom
service with effect from 16.04.2010,ashehadbeenadeserter
for more than 7 years. The petitioner had prayed for
reinstatement in service with all consequential reliefs. The
learnedcounselforthepetitionersubmittedthatthedismissal
W.P(C).No.18230 of 2024 5 2025:KER:58978
of the petitioner was effected without following the due
procedureoflawandtherefore,prayedthatthewritpetitionbe
allowed and the petitioner be reinstated in service.
5.PercontrathelearnedDeputySolicitorGeneralofIndia
appearing for the respondents vehemently opposed the afore
prayer and submitted that the learned Tribunal ought not to
havegoneintothemeritsofthecase,sincethepetitionerwas
dismissed from service on 16.04.2010. Thereafter he did not
choose to file a representation or approach the learned
Tribunalforthelast11years.Subsequentlythepetitionerhad
preferredarepresentationwhichwasdismissed.Thereafterthe
petitioner approached the Tribunal in the year 2021 by filing
theOriginalApplication.OnperusaloftheOriginalApplication,
W.P(C).No.18230 of 2024 6 2025:KER:58978
no reasons have been shown for the inordinate delay of 11
yearsinapproachingtheTribunal.ThelearnedTribunal,apart
fromconsideringthemeritsofthecase,dismissedtheOriginal
Application on the ground that the applicant was noteligible
fordisabilitypensionasperPensionRegulationsfortheNavy,
1964. The Hon'ble Apex Courthasclearlyheldthatpreferring
representation after a long gap of time and that having been
consideredbytheauthorities,wouldnotbringthecasewithin
limitation.Therefore,nointerferenceiscalledforintheorder
passedbythelearnedTribunal.He,therefore,prayedthatthis
writ petition be dismissed.
6. Heard thelearnedcounselforthepartiesandperused
the records.
W.P(C).No.18230 of 2024 7 2025:KER:58978
7.Inthepresentcase,thepetitionerhadapproachedthe
learned Tribunal after a period of 11 years for which no
plausibleexplanationhasbeenputforthforsuchahugedelay.
Therefore,the OriginalApplicationaswellasthiswritpetition
suffersfrominordinatedelayandlaches.ThelearnedTribunal
hasheldthatasperthePensionRegulationsfortheNavy,1964,
itisevidentthattheSailorwhoisdismissedfromtheserviceis
ineligiblefordisabilitypension.ThelearnedTribunalhadalso
consideredthecaseonmeritsandcametotheconclusionthat
there is no illegality or irregularity on the part of the
respondents herein and dismissed the Original Application.
W.P(C).No.18230 of 2024 8 2025:KER:58978
8.WefindfromtheorderofthelearnedTribunalthatthe
Tribunal did not consider the issue of delay of 11 years in
approaching the Tribunal as well as this Court.
Therefore, we find that no error hasbeencommittedby
thelearnedTribunalindismissingtheOriginalApplicationon
merits.Accordinglythewritpetitionbeingbereftofmeritand
substance is hereby dismissed. No order as to costs.
Sd/-
SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI
JUDGE
Sd/-
SYAM KUMAR V.M.
JUDGE
MC/6.8
W.P(C).No.18230 of 2024 9 2025:KER:58978
APPENDIX OF WP(C) 18230/2024
PETITIONER ANNEXURES
Exhibit P-1
RUE
T COPY OF O.A.121 OF
2021 ALONG
WITH ANNEXURES.
Annexure A-3
TRUE
COPY OFSUMMARY TRIALPROCEEDINGS
GEN FORM
Annexure A-4
TRUE
COPY OF PUNISHMENT WARRANT
DL/1374/933 DATED 05.04.2010
nnexure A-5
A TRUE COPY OF GEN FORM
Annexure A-6
TRUE
COPY OF LETTER NO. 203/2010/01
DATED 16.4.2010
Annexure A-8
TRUE
COPY OF
LETTER PEN/600/D/RA/12100
DATED 23.9.2013
Annexure A-9
TRUE
COPY OF LETTER NO.
NAVPEN/ 600/
DISMISSAL/123100 DATED 05.03.2020
nnexure A-1
A TRUE COPY OF INJURY REPORT
Annexure A-2
TRUE
COPY OF MEDICAL CASE SHEET AND
CLINICAL DOCUMENTS
Annexure A-7
TRUE
COPY OF CATEGORIZATION MEDICAL
BOARD PROCEEDINGS
Annexure 10
TRUE
COPY OF
RECORD OF
SERVICE OF
THE
APPLICANT
nnexure A-11
A MA FOR CONDONATION OF DELAY IN FILING
Exhibit P-2
TRUE
COPYOF THE REPLYSTATEMENT ALONG
WITH ANNEXURES.
Annexure R-1
COPY
OF
INJURY REPORT (IAFY2006) DATED
12.01.2000
Annexure R-2
COPY
OF MEDICAL REPORT LOW MEDICAL
CATEGORY
WHICH WAS REVIEWED AND
UPGRADED FROM TIME TO TIME
Annexure R-3
COPY
OF ORDER GRANTING DUE PROMOTION
TO THE NEXT RANK
Annexure R-4
COPY
OF INS VENDURUTHY GENFORM
NO.0913344/S DATED 21.12.2009
Annexure R-5
COPY
OF
INS ANGRE GENFORM NO.0927670/S
DATED 24.12.2009
Annexure R-6
COPY
OF IHQ MOD (NAVY) NEW DELHI
LETTER NO.DL/1374/933 DATED 05.04.2010
W.P(C).No.18230 of 2024 10 2025:KER:58978
Annexure R-7
OPY
C OF GENFORM NO.1001866/S DATED
07.04.2010
Annexure R-8
COPY
OFCABSLETTERNO.PEN/600/D/ RA/
123100 DATED 23.09.2013
Annexure R-9
COPY
OF
NAVPEN'S
LETTER
NO.
NAVPEN/600/DISMISSAL/121300
DATED
05.03.2020
Annexure R-10
PETITION
TO
CONDONE
DELAY AND
ACCEPT
THE REPLY STATEMENT
Exhibit P-3
TRUE
COPY OF
THEORDER
INOANO.121 OF
2021
PASSED BY
THE ARMED FORCES
TRIBUNAL,
REGIONAL BENCH KOCHI ON
30.06.2023
Exhibit P-4
TRUE
COPY OF
PUNISHMENT WARRANT FORM
OF THE PETITIONER
Exhibit P-5
TRUE
COPY OF
ORDERDATED18.10.2023 IN
OA NO. 111 OF 2022
