CONFEDERATION OF EX-SERVICEMEN ASSOCIATIONS Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS petition under Article 32 of the Constitution is filed as Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by petitioner-Confederation of ex-serviceman Associations for an appropriate writ directing the respondent-Union of India to recognize the right of full and free medicare of ex-servicemen, their families and dependents treating such right as one of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India. A prayer is also made to direct the respondents to take necessary steps to ensure that full and free medicare is provided to ex-servicemen, their families and dependents on par with in-service defence personnel. A further prayer is also made to extend such medicare for all diseases including serious and terminal diseases, even if treatment for those diseases is not available at Military Hospitals.

(2.) THE case of the petitioner is that there are certain ex-servicemen Associations which have formed a Confederation in furtherance of common cause for welfare of ex-defence personnel. THEy are;

(3.) THE petition came up for preliminary hearing before a two Judge Bench on May 10, 1999 and the following order was passed: