Finally, Brig T Parshad promoted as Maj Gen

The battle between the deputy judge advocates general (DJAGs) over promotion has ended with the Indian Army promoting Brigadier T Parshad as Major General after results of a fresh selection board were announced.

From January 1, he was appointed director, general litigations. On January 31, after the retirement of Major General Navneet Khanna, he will take over as the judge advocate general (JAG) of the army.

Brigadier Dinkar Adeeb, DJAG, Eastern Command, and Brigadier PK Sharma, DJAG, Northern Command, had approached the Chandigarh Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) last year against the promotion of Brigadier Parshad, who was the then DJAG of the Central Command.

They alleged that Parshad, who was junior to them, had been granted out-of-turn relief by expunging some of his annual confidential reports (ACRs) in haste on the eve of the selection board meeting.

They claimed that then his name was considered with an improved profile, resulting in his empanelment and supersession of seniors.

The two officers also pointed out that according to the army policy of 2009, profiles of officers were to be frozen five days prior to the selection board and changes could not be introduced just before the board meeting.

The army, however, had submitted that it was not practically possible to follow the five-day freeze policy and also that there were file notings made on October 12, 2012, which reflected that Parshad was to be granted relief.

The AFT had set aside the promotion of Parshad on August 30, 2013. The bench, comprising justice VK Ahuja and Lt Gen HS Panag (retd), had ruled that file notings have no value till an order in the name of the President is passed and also that it is mandatory to follow the laid down cut-off date to eliminate arbitrariness as is also held by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court upheld the AFT order on September 27, 2013, after which a fresh selection board was held.