SC to hear PIL for fast supply of defence equipment

The advocates have said that they filed the petition after the death of two young navy officers due to the 'failure of the defence ministry to provide proper replacements of the batteries sought by the navy command and vital for the safety of the INS Sindhuratna'.

The lives of the young servicemen could not be allowed to be 'extinguished by the negligence of civilian administration (for its failure) to provide required replacements and repairs to the armed forces' in keeping the war machinery including submarines, aircraft and other weaponry in operational condition, their plea said.

The PIL contended that the right to life of servicemen was of utmost concern to the nation and could not be overlooked by officials in the defence ministry who 'failed to maintain a proper inventory of the requirements of the armed forces' necessary for safe operation of the equipment for guarding the country.

The plea said the cover of 'security reasons' could not be allowed to mask the failure of the defence ministry to look into the totality of the conditions under which the armed forces operate.