New Delhi: Wing Commander in IAF Pooja Thakur, has led Indian Air Force to court for denying permanent commission to her. The officer said her denying is “biased, discriminatory, arbitrary and unreasonable”.
Wing Commander Pooja gave guard to US President Barack Obama during the latter’s visit to India.
“Armed Forces Tribunal has admitted the matter and has sought IAF’s response within 4 weeks,” Pooja Thakur’s Lawyer Sudhanshu Pandey said.
“IAF says Pooja Thakur was offered permanent commission in 2012, she declined it then and now no new offer can be given,” said her lawyer. Mrs. Pooja Thakur was the first woman officer to lead an Inter-service Guard of Honour to President Obama when he visited India for the Republic Day parade.
The daughter of an army colonel, the Rajasthan officer joined the Air Force in 2000. Permanent commission means women officers get an opportunity to rise to the rank of Lieutenant General and retire at 60 with full benefits like the men do. Sources say it is given to women on a case-to-case basis.
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