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Defence
Meghalaya High Court Rejects Pension Claim of Former Assam Rifles Rifleman
✍️ Livemint
🗓 07 Nov 2026, 11:15 PM
👁 18
The Meghalaya High Court ruled that a former Assam Rifles rifleman who voluntarily discharged himself is not entitled to pension, citing forfeiture of past service.
The Meghalaya High Court has dismissed a petition filed by a former Assam Rifles rifleman seeking a pension after his retirement. The petitioner argued that his years of service entitled him to post‑service benefits under the armed forces pension scheme.
The bench examined the service regulations governing voluntary discharge and held that a soldier who opts to leave the force of his own accord forfeits the right to pension for the period of service rendered. Accordingly, the court concluded that the applicant’s claim could not be sustained.
Legal experts note that the judgment reinforces the strict application of discharge provisions across the armed forces, signalling that similar claims by ex‑servicemen who voluntarily exited may face comparable hurdles.
The bench examined the service regulations governing voluntary discharge and held that a soldier who opts to leave the force of his own accord forfeits the right to pension for the period of service rendered. Accordingly, the court concluded that the applicant’s claim could not be sustained.
Legal experts note that the judgment reinforces the strict application of discharge provisions across the armed forces, signalling that similar claims by ex‑servicemen who voluntarily exited may face comparable hurdles.