A view of Delhi High Court, in New Delhi.
| Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma
The Delhi High Court has upheld the dismissal of a former Indian Air Force (IAF) airman who was removed from service after he uploaded a video on social media criticising disparities between officers and airmen in the armed forces.The Court dismissed the petition filed by Sachin Kumar Solanki, affirming the Armed Forces Tribunal’s decision that upheld his removal from service under the Air Force Act.The case stem from a video uploaded on Facebook in January 2017, in which Mr. Solanki, while in uniform, alleged unequal treatment between officers and jawans in matters such as ration facilities, uniforms, travel arrangements, allowances and social status within the force.Consequently, a Court of Inquiry was assembled to inquire into the circumstances relating to the uploading of the video and in August 2017 the Show Cause Notice was issued. As a final administrative action, Mr. Solakni was by an order on December 2, 2017 removed from service. The authorities reasoned that Mr. Solanki was involved in “undesirable activities, which are illegal and prejudicial to Service discipline, norms and ethos”.It said his acts was “unbecoming of a member of a combatant force like the IAF”.Mr. Solakni challenged the decision before the Armed Force Tribunal which got dismissed on October 17, 2025. Before the High Court, he limited his arguments to“violation of principles of natural justice; weak mental state/dissatisfaction and frustration of the Petitioner with the forces owing to family circumstances leading to recording of the video”. He further argued that the punishment of removal from service is “shockingly disproportionate”.The Court, in its May 19 order, said Mr. Solanki acted in a manner which is prohibited by various provisions of the Air Force Order, which required him to maintain good order and discipline as per the rules.It noted that the video was not only uploaded on his Facebook account, but also got circulated on various social media platforms, which tarnished the image of the IAF. The Court said, “it is not conducive of a member of the forces to take an excuse of mental condition when he is bound by the Air Force Act and is expected to not act in a manner unbecoming of a man in uniform”.It ruled that the punishment of removal from service “cannot be said to be so outrageously disproportionate as to shock the conscience of this Court”. Published - May 29, 2026 08:42 am IST
