If you don't, we will: SC warns govt over Coast Guard women posting

The Supreme Court on Monday told the Centre that denying permanent commission to a woman Coast Guard officer on the ground that it is "functionally different" from the Indian Army and Indian Navy cannot be accepted in today's times, indicating that the court will step in if the government fails to remedy the situation.

- Abraham Thomas

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud said, "If you don't do it, we will do it," while hearing a petition filed by a short service commission Coast Guard navigator Priyanka Tyagi, who was released after her 14-year stint with the force in December last year without being considered for permanent commission (PC).

Attorney general (AG) R Venkataramani, appearing for the Union government, and said that the Centre is open to reviewing the matter, and has constituted a board in November last year to consider "structural changes" in the force. "The Coast Guard is functionally different from the navy and army. A board has been set up as structural changes are needed. The board is looking into the matter," the AG said.

But the bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, replied: "All this functionally different argument will not work in today's times." It posted the matter for Friday.

Tyagi served for 14 years and rose in the ranks from her initial appointment as assistant commandant in 2009 to Commandant (junior grade).