Delhi High Court Upholds Dismissal of Retired Air Force Officer The Delhi High Court dismissed a writ petition challenging the dismissal of Corporal Sachin Kumar Solanki, a retired Indian Air Force officer, and upheld the decision to remove him from service. In an order dated May 19, 2026, a Division Bench comprising Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Amit Mahajan affirmed the Armed Forces Tribunal’s (AFT) ruling that his removal was lawful. The court rejected his claims of procedural impropriety and disproportionate punishment, emphasizing the unique operational requirements of the military. Corporal Solanki, who joined the Indian Air Force in 2011 as an Airman-Communication Technician, was dismissed after an incident that led to his removal from service. He had previously challenged the decision through legal channels, but the court found that his actions violated internal disciplinary protocols. The petitioner, now referred to as Ex-Corporal (Retd), had not utilized the IAF’s internal redressal mechanisms before publicly airing grievances on social media. The case began when Solanki contested his dismissal before the Principal Bench of the AFT in New Delhi. His original application was dismissed on October 17, 2025, with the tribunal ruling that the administrative action was lawful. The AFT held that there was no violation of natural justice, the punishment was not arbitrary, and the decision was consistent with military discipline. In its review, the Delhi High Court reiterated that courts intervene in military disciplinary matters only in exceptional cases involving patent illegality or disproportionate punishment. The bench noted that the armed forces operate under strict hierarchies and operational demands, which require strict adherence to internal protocols.#indian_air_force #delhi_high_court #corporal_sachin_kumar_solanki #armed_forces_tribunal #air_force_order_17_2015
