Summary of this article
AFT ordered a fresh disability assessment after 37 years for an ex-serviceman.
Veteran was medically boarded out with schizophrenia in 1989.
The ruling may secure lifelong pension for the ex-serviceman.
A 63-year-old military veteran secured relief from the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) after fighting a legal battle for 37 years. Nirmal Singh joined the Indian Army’s 105 Artillery Air Defence Regiment four decades ago in 1981. He served for nearly seven and a half years across field and peace postings. However, his career was cut short unexpectedly after he was diagnosed with schizophrenia on July 12, 1986. He was medically evaluated, and an Army medical board officially declared him unfit for further service in 1989. The board assessed his disability at 40 per cent. He was discharged from duty but without pension security, leaving him with an uncertain future without financial security.
Singh applied for a disability pension, but the Controller of Defence Accounts (CDA) rejected his claim. The authorities maintained that his psychiatric illness didn’t have any established link to his military service. As he was based in Mohali, he spent years resolving the matter through official Army channels and the Panchkula Zila Sainik Board, but authorities consistently rejected his appeal.
In 2020, Singh read news reports detailing legal interventions by the Ex-Servicemen Grievances Cell, Mohali, and contacted them seeking their help in his matter.
As per the Times of India report, the cell took up his grievance and moved the AFT in Chandimandir. The legal proceedings regarding the matter started towards the end of the year (2020). The counsel representing Singh presented documentary evidence, legal provisions, along with judicial precedents to the tribunal. The matter ran for four years, and in October 2026, the tribunal passed a ruling in Singh’s favour.
The AFT overturned previous administrative rejections and reopened Singh’s claim. It directed authorities to conduct a fresh medical assessment to re-evaluate his disability percentage and subsequently his pension entitlement.
The tribunal’s directive for a new medical examination has reopened the door for financial and medical relief for the ageing ex-serviceman. Reportedly, Singh could become eligible for a lifelong disability pension, depending on the assessment findings and execution of the tribunal’s instructions. The disability pension for him is estimated to be Rs 16,000 per month, in addition to the free medical care facilities and other admissible service benefits.
As per the grievance cell, Singh could potentially receive back-dated pensionary benefits for the past nine years; however, it is subject to the court’s final directions.
The president of the Ex-Servicemen Grievances Cell, Mohali, Col. S.S.Sohi (retd), said that the AFT judgment will enable the veteran to lead a dignified life in his old age. He emphasised that the ruling in this matter shows a long-awaited victory and reinforces the cell’s dedication to pursuing legal remedies for former defence personnel who have been denied their legitimate service entitlements.
