Captain Sukhjit Pal Kaur Sanewal (Retd) v. Union Of India And Others

CWP-PIL No.101 of 2023 (O & M) -1IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH ***** CWP-PIL No.101 of 2023 (O & M) Date of decision : 19.3.2025 Captain Sukhjit Pal Kaur Sanewal (Retd.) .......Petitioner

Versus

Union of India and others .......Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHEEL NAGU, CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL Present: Mr. Navdeep Singh, Advocate and Ms. Roopan Atwal, Advocate, for the petitioner Mr. Dheeraj Jain, Senior Panel Counsel for UOI --- SHEEL NAGU, CJ. (ORAL) 1.

This petition had been filed as a public interest litigation essentially raising the grievance that gender neutral terms are not being used for Ex-serviceman (in Defence Forces) in official communication. 2.

The respondents filed a short reply on 11.3.2024, which inter alia, reveals that the grievance has been taken up seriously at the Ministry level and the process of change, which may take some time, has already been initiated for amending the nomenclature used for Ex-serviceman and even other terms used in the defence service which are not gender neutral. However, it is informed in the reply that the said process may take some time to conclude.

3.

Since the respondents have shown bona fide by initiating the Ashwani Kumar 2025.03.21 11:12 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

CWP-PIL No.101 of 2023 (O & M) -2process of changing from non-gender neutral terms to gender neutral terms, this Court has no manner of doubt that the same shall be concluded and taken to its logical end as early as possible. 4.

With this hope and expectation, the present public interest litigation stands disposed of. The petitioner is free to re-visit the Court in case the changes as initiated do not get crystalised within a reasonable period of time 5.

Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, stand disposed of accordingly.

(SHEEL NAGU) CHIEF JUSTICE (SUMEET GOEL) 19.3.2025 JUDGE Ashwani Whether speaking/reasoned:

Yes/No Whether reportable:

Yes/No Ashwani Kumar 2025.03.21 11:12 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document