Wing Commander Pooja Thakur, who led Guard of Honour on Obama’s visit, drags IAF to court on denial of permanent commission

New Delhi: A woman pilot has dragged Indian Air Force (IAF) to court for denying permanent commission to her.
Wing Commander in IAF, Pooja Thakur has been denied permanent commission. She is the one who gave guard to US President Barack Obama during the latter’s visit to India.
Now, Pooja Thakur has dragged IAF to court terming the decision as ‘discriminatory, biased, arbitrary and unreasonable’.
“Armed Forces Tribunal has admitted the matter and has sought IAF’s response within 4 weeks,” Pooja Thakur’s Lawyer Sudhanshu Pandey said.
“IAF citing a policy instruction, not approved by government, is not granting her permanent commission,” Pandey said.
“IAF says Pooja Thakur was offered permanent commission in 2012, she declined it then and now no new offer can be given,” he added.
Wing commander Pooja Thakur had become the first female commanding officer to head the inter-services Guard of Honour inspected by US President Barack Obama.
Thakur commissioned into the Air Force in 2000.