Armed Forces Tribunal
Smt Munni Kanwar wo Sgt Chhatarpal Singh (Missing) vs UOI & Others on 24 February 2026
**ARMED FORCES TRIBUNAL, REGIONAL BENCH, JAIPUR**
**11.
OA 67/2025**
**Smt. Munni Kanwar W/o Sgt Chhatarpal Singh (Missing) (Service No 783910F), Resident of Village Kurali, PO Pirwa, Tehsil Didwana – Kuchaman, Rajasthan**
.... Applicant
**Versus**
1. 1. UOI, through the Secretary, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence, Govt of India, South Block, New Delhi – 110 011
2. 2. Chief of the Air Staff, Air HQ, Vayu Bhawan, New Delhi – 110 011
3. 3. Officer in Charge Records, Air Force Records, Subroto Park, Delhi Cantt – 110 010
4. 4. Station Commander, Air Force Station, Delhi, Race Course, New Delhi – 110 003
5. 5. PCDA (P), Draupadi Ghat, Prayagraj, UP – 211 014
.... Respondents
**For Applicant**
**: Mr. Sunil Kumar, Advocate**
**For Respondents**
**: Mr. Pyare Lal, Senior Panel Counsel**
**CORAM:**
**HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE GOVERDHAN BARDHAR, MEMBER (J)**
**HON'BLE MR. SANJIV MITTAL, MEMBER (A)**
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**ORDER**
**24.04.2026**
1. Under Section 14 of the Armed Forces Tribunal Act 2007, the Applicant has filed this OA to issue directions to the Authorities for the following prayers :-
1. (a) Declare the husband of the applicant as 'missing' and set aside the declaration of desertion.
2. (b) Make payments of applicant's husband's salary, provident fund, leave encashment, credit balance, gratuity, AF GIF and Family Pension in accordance with Govt of India, Ministry of Defence letter dated 23/12/2014, Annexure A/7.
- (c) Provide financial aid out of benevolent fund to the applicant.
- (d) Provide Compassionate employment so as to bring up children.
- (e) Any other orders/directions deemed fit by the Hon'ble Tribunal.
- (f) As an interim prayer the applicant has also prayed that the two years and 11 months that have elapsed since husband of the applicant found missing from duty on 21/3/2022 and, hence, the Hon'ble Tribunal may issue directions to release pensionary benefits and other related entitlements due to the husband of the applicant in terms of Govt of India, Ministry of Defence letter dated 23/12/2014, Annexure A/7, to the applicant.
2. Vide Reply Statement, the Respondents have stated that the husband of the applicant was enrolled in the Air Force on 28/6/2005. While posted on the strength of Air Force Station, New Delhi wef 13/12/2021, and after completion of his duties at MT Section, AFND, on 19/3/2022 followed by an off from duty on 20/3/2022, the Air Warrior failed to report to duty and absented himself without leave wef 21/3/2022 and, accordingly, all concerned have been informed about the illegal absence of the husband of the applicant and declaring him as a deserter. However, husband of the applicant has reported/rejoined duty at 0836 hours on 27/6/2025 at his own accord and ceased to be Absent without leave/deserter wef 27/6/2025. All concerned have been informed about cessation of absent without leave/desertion of husband of the applicant. Further, since husband of the applicant has rejoined his duties and is no more a missing person and cause to sue does not survive to the applicant and as such the OA has become infructuous and the same may be dismissed.
3. During the course of hearing, counsel for the applicant also stated that since the husband of the applicant has rejoined his duties on his own volition, the OA has become infructuous and could be dismissed as such.
4. In view of the foregoing and since husband of the applicant has rejoined duty on 27/6/2025 on his own, he does not remain a deserter/AWL any more. Accordingly, this OA has become infructuous and is dismissed.
5. File be consigned to record. No order on costs.
6. Pending application, if any, also stands disposed off.
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