The Delhi High Court on May 27, 2026, upheld the dismissal of Indian Air Force (IAF) Corporal Abhijit Singh, who was removed from service in 2023 after posting a viral video on social media criticizing service conditions. The court ruled that the video violated military discipline and conduct rules.
Justice Subramonium Prasad, presiding over the case, stated that the IAF's decision was not disproportionate, as the video undermined the chain of command and discipline essential to the armed forces. The court noted that Singh had not exhausted internal remedies before approaching the High Court.
Singh, who had served for over a decade, argued that his right to freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution was infringed. However, the court held that the right is subject to reasonable restrictions, particularly for members of the armed forces, who must adhere to stricter discipline norms.
The case has drawn attention to the balance between individual rights and military discipline in the digital age. The IAF had initiated court-martial proceedings against Singh after the video went viral, leading to his dismissal in 2023.
