The Delhi High Court in its verdict upheld the Constitutional validity of the Agneepath Scheme and also observed that it was introduced in the National interest. The Court while giving its judgement observed, “This court finds no reason to interfere with the scheme. All petitions are dismissed. We can conclude that the scheme was introduced in national interest.”
It is pertinent to note that the scheme was introduced to induct youth temporarily into the defence forces for a period of four years. After the expiry of 4 years 25% of the candidates will be rolled on for regular services and the rest will be retired. Such youth will be known as Agniveer. This led to protests in several parts of the country by the aspiring candidates for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. It was also contended that no pension scheme or other facilities have been provided for the retired personnel.
Several petitions were filed in the Apex Court, which were later transferred to the Delhi HC. In August, a division bench of the high court declined to stop the Agnipath Scheme and granted them time to file its reply to a bunch of pleas challenging the defence recruitment scheme of the government. The court had said that it would finally hear the matter, instead of passing an interim order