Taking Off:On A Wing And A Plea

Outlook, in its December 13, 2004, issue had raised the debate on how far the personal life of an officer should influence his professional career. Masand and Air Vice-Marshal T.S. Chhatwal—who had sought redressal from the courts—had excellent professional track records. Masand has an enviable record as a fighter-pilot, having been chosen to induct two frontline fighter aircraft into the force—the MiG-29 and the Sukhoi-30. Chhatwal also has a similar track record, being a Vishisth Seva Medal awardee as a Group Captain. Both suffered due to a controversial promotional policy, which gave the special promotion board a 20 per cent weightage on the discretion of members.

The issue came into focus in Masand’s case because he had topped the list on pure merit but found he had been dropped after the board exercised its discretionary 20 per cent weightage. Masand’s grievance redressal plea to the IAF hierarchy was ignored and he was forced to retire on January 31, 2004. Finally, with the apex court asking Solicitor General G.E. Vahanvati to take a fresh look at the new promotion board (which had also failed to promote Masand), things started to move. On February 20 Vahanvati submitted to the SC that the IAF was agreeable to taking back Masand in a supernumerary post. He will now serve till January 31, 2006. Chhatwal, though, lost out due to low marks and could not be accommodated.