Cheeli J Ratnam vs Union Of India & Ors

ik-182136845 Delhi High Court 24 November 2025 • 77 min read

Judges (2)

C. Hari Shankar Delivered Om Prakash Shukla Coram

Counsel (11)

Anuradha Pandey Counsel Petitioner Gokul Atrey Counsel Respondent Himanshu Gautam Counsel Petitioner Jaswinder Singh Counsel Respondent Kishan Gautam Counsel Petitioner Lokesh Sharma Counsel Petitioner Raj Kumar Yadav Counsel Respondent Shubhra Parashar Counsel Respondent Tripti Sinha Counsel Respondent Vaibhav Bhardwaj Counsel Respondent Virender Pratap Singh Charak Counsel Respondent

Parties (4)

Union of India Respondent Cheeli J Ratnam Petitioner Comdt. AVW Rao Petitioner Jitender Jit Singh Jamwal Petitioner

Case Significance

Cheeli J Ratnam vs Union Of India & Ors is a Delhi High Court decision dated November 24, 2025 (citation: ik-182136845). Three connected writ petitions were filed by Indian Coast Guard officers who were superannuated at age 57 under Rule 20 of the Coast Guard Rules, 1986, challenging the discriminatory retirement age compared to officers of comparable armed forces who retire at 60. The Division Bench held that Rule 20, which fixed the age of superannuation of Commandant-rank and below officers and enrolled persons at 57, was illegal and discriminatory, and declared it quashed. The petitioners were held entitled The bench comprised Justices C. Hari Shankar and Om Prakash Shukla. The judgment was delivered by Justice C. Hari Shankar.

Summary

Three connected writ petitions were filed by Indian Coast Guard officers who were superannuated at age 57 under Rule 20 of the Coast Guard Rules, 1986, challenging the discriminatory retirement age compared to officers of comparable armed forces who retire at 60. The Division Bench held that Rule 20, which fixed the age of superannuation of Commandant-rank and below officers and enrolled persons at 57, was illegal and discriminatory, and declared it quashed. The petitioners were held entitled to be treated as having continued in service until age 60, with differential payments of pay and recomputed retiral benefits to be disbursed within 12 weeks.

What was the outcome of Cheeli J Ratnam vs Union Of India & Ors?

Three connected writ petitions were filed by Indian Coast Guard officers who were superannuated at age 57 under Rule 20 of the Coast Guard Rules, 1986, challenging the discriminatory retirement age co...

Judgment

Read the full judgment on the official India Courts portal.

Read on Indian Kanoon

Source: Indian Kanoon (ik-182136845)