Major moves HC to marry US national as Army does not respond

According to Army rules, a serving officer is required to seek permission from the authorities if he or she wishes to marry a citizen of another country.

Major Yogesh Chandra Madhav Sayankar pleaded through his lawyer Anand Grover that he had urged the Army four times in writing to allow him marry Shruti Kulkarni but every time his applications were returned with a request that he should attach documents.

Shruti is working for an advertising agency in USA.

Sayankar, who is getting ready to marry Shruti on December 10, said the wedding date had been fixed and that he had no other option but to approach the High Court as the Army had not responded.

The Army, however, opposed his plea saying that the Major should approach the Armed Forces Tribunal if he wanted to air any grievance.

Counsel for the Army challenged the jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court in redressing the grievance of a serving officer.

Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice D Y Chandrachud have asked the Army to file a reply by October 19.