About 20 years after a soldier was seriously injured in a road accident while returning to duty, the Armed Forces Tribunal has held that a journey from place of duty to home station and vice-versa while on leave is considered as on duty and an individual so affected is entitled to disability benefits even if he was using a private vehicle.

The soldier was enrolled in the Indian Army in December 1982, and while posted at Ambala, he took two days’ casual leave in June 2004. While leaving his village to rejoin duty, he met with an accident.

He was taken to Civil Hospital, Karnal, from where he was transferred to Military Hospital, Ambala, and thereafter referred to Command Hospital in Chandimandir. He underwent several surgical procedures for fixation of fracture, provision of skin cover an

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