Ramandeep Kaur Randhawa v. State of Punjab and Ors

o INoTHEoHIGHoCOURToOFoPUNJABoANDoHARYANAo AToCHANDIGARHo 206o CWPoNo.31343oofo2025o(O&M)o thDATEoOFoDECISIONo:o30 ooMARCH,o2026o RamandeepoKauroRandhawaoRamandeepoKauroRandhawa o o ….oPetitionero.oPetitioner Versuso StateoofoPunjabo&ootherso ….oRespondentso CORAMo :o HON'BLEoMR.oJUSTICEoASHWANIooKUMARooMISHRAo o o HON'BLEoMR.oJUSTICEoROHIToKAPOORo o o *o*o*o*o Presento:oo Mr.oKanwaljitoSingh,oSr.oAdvocateowitho o Mr.oAjaiviroSingh,oAdvocate;o o Mr.oShaziaoK.oSinghoforopetitioner.o o o Mr.oManinderoSinghoGarcha,oAddl.oA.G.oPunjabowitho o Ms.oAmbikaoChaudhary,oAsst.oA.G.oPunjabo&o o Ms.oMehakoKanwar,oAdvocateofororespondentoNo.1-State.o o o Mr.oSahil,oAdvocateoforo o Mr.oNitinoKaushal,oAdvocateofororespondentoNo.2.o o *o*o*o*o ASHWANIoKUMARoMISHRA,oJ.o(Oral)o

1.e PetitioneroisotheodaughteroofoDaljitoSingh,owhooisoaopoliceo personnelo ando sustainedo ao gunshoto injuryo ino policeo actiono (terroristo operation)o ono 13.12.2023.o o Theo injuryo sustainedo byo himo haso beeno classifiedoasofemoraloneuropathyowitholimitedorangeoofomotionoofoleftohipo andoleftoknee.ooThisoinjuryohasocausedodisabilityotootheopetitioner'sofathero ando ao certificateo haso beeno issuedo byo theo competento authorityo ofo theo GovernmentoofoIndiaodescribingotheodisabilityoasolocomotiveodisability.oo Theodisabilityocertificateodatedo03.09.2024o(AnnexureoP-6)oissuedobyotheo Chiefo Medicalo Officer,o Ludhianao recordso theo disabilityo too beo 50%o temporaryodisabilityoinorelationotoohisooneoarmoonoaccountoofogunshoto injuryosustainedoono13.12.2023.ooTheobenefitoofosuchodisabilityoisoclaimedo o o o oo -2-o byo theo petitionero foro securingo theo admissiono ino MBBSo Course.o o Theo authoritiesoofotheoStateoofoPunjabohave,ohowever,odeclinedosuchoprotectiono tootheopetitioneroonotheogroundothatotheodisabilityoisotemporaryoinonatureo andorequiresoreviewoafterotwooyears.oTheorespondentsoalsooassertothatotheo certificateoofodisabilityoreliedouponobyotheopetitioneroisodatedo01.10.2025o (AnnexureoP-7)owhichoisoafterolastodateofixedoforomakingoofoapplicationo i.e.o30.09.2025.ooWhileoentertainingotheowritopetitionoweopassedoaodetailedo orderodatedo17.10.2025onoticingotheocontentionoofotheopetitionerowhichoforo theosakeoofoconvenienceoisoreproducedohereunder:o o "Grievanceo ofo theo petitionero iso witho regardo too non-considerationoofohisoclaimoforoadmissionotooMBBSocourseoono accountoofoDisabilityoCertificateohavingobeenoobtainedoaftero theolastodateofixedoforofilingoofotheoapplication.oo o Learnedo Senioro counselo foro theo petitionero contendso thato theo Disabilityo Certificateo ofo petitionero iso datedo

03.09.2024owhichowasoofoaodateopriorotootheolastodateofixedo foro makingo applicationo i.e.o 24.07.2025.o Theo authorities,o however,owereonotosatisfiedowithothisoDisabilityoCertificateo aso theo sameo waso noto happilyo worded.o Thiso Certificateo iso Annexureo P-6o ando containso theo satisfactiono ofo theo Chiefo MedicaloOfficero(CMO)othatothisoisoaocaseoofoLocomotiveo Disabilityoandotheodiagnosisoinothisocaseoisogunshotoinjuryo limitedorangeoofomotionoofoleftohipoandoleftoknee.oHeofurthero submitso thato theo disabilityo haso beeno quantifiedo aso 50%o ino relationotoooneoarm.oTheofindingocontainedoinotheoDisabilityo Certificateoreadsoasounder:-oo o "(A)oHeoisoaocaseoofoLocomotoroDisabilityoo o (B)oTheodiagnosisoinohisocaseoisoallegeoh/oogunshoto injuryo13.12.23olimitedorangeoofomotionoofoleftohipoando leftokneeooleftokneeo o o o oo -3-o o (C)oHeohaso50%o(inofigure)ofiftyopercento(inowords)o TemporaryoDisabilityoinorelationotoohisoOneoArmo(OA)o asoperotheoguidelineso(Guidelinesoforotheopurposeoofo assessingotheoextentoofospecifiedodisabilityoinoaopersono includedo undero RPwDo Act,o 2016o notifiedo byo Governmento ofo Indiao video S.O.o 1338o (E)o Datedo

12.03.2024).o Thiso certificateo recommendedo foro 2o year(s),oandothereforeothisocertificateoshallobeovalidotillo

31.08.2026."oo o Theoauthorities,oatotheotimeoofodocumentoverification,o expressedodoubtowithoregardotoogenuinenessoandocorrectnesso ofo theo Disabilityo Certificateo ono accounto ofo whicho theo petitioneroagainoappearedobeforeotheoCMOoandoaosubsequento confirmationo waso issuedo ono 01.10.2025,o whereino theo substanceoofotheoreportoisoasounder:-oo o "(A)oHeoisoaocaseoofo:LocomotoroDisability.oo o (B)oNameoofoaffectedobodyopart:oOneoLego(OL).oo o (C)oTheodiagnosisoinohisocaseoisoAllegedoh/oogunshoto injuryo 13/12/2023,o femoralo neuropathyo witho limitedoinjuryo 13/12/2023,o femoralo neuropathyo witho limitedo rangeoofomotionoofoleftohipoandoleftoknee.oorangeoofomotionoofoleftohipoandoleftoknee. o (D)oHeohaso50%o(inofigure)ofiftyopercento(inowords)o disabilityoandotheonatureoofocertificateoisoTemporaryo andovalidotillo31/08/2026oasoperotheoguidelinesoforotheo purposeoofoassessingotheoextentoofospecifiedodisabilityo inoaopersonoincludedounderotheoRightsoofoPersonsowitho Disabilitieso Act,o 2016o notifiedo byo Governmento ofo IndiaovideoS.O.o1338o(E)odatedo12.03.2024."oo o Learnedo Senioro counselo foro theo petitionero furthero argues,o witho referenceo too theo aboveo documents,o thato theo Certificateoofotheopetitionerowasopriorotootheolastodateoofofilingo applicationo ando merelyo becauseo theo petitionero waso re-examinedoagainoforoverificationoofohisoDisabilityoCertificateo wouldonotomeanothatotheoDisabilityoCertificateoitselfoisoofoao dateolaterotootheolastodateofixedoforofilingoofotheoapplication.oo o o o oo -4-o o Learnedo Stateo counsel,o onoinstructions,o submitso thato theoCertificateoreliedouponoisodatedo01.10.2025oandothereforeo theoauthoritiesohaveorightlyonotoconsideredotheoclaim.oo o Havingoexaminedotheomatter,oweofindosubstanceoinotheo petitioner'soclaimoinasmuchoasotheoDisabilityoCertificateoisoofo aodateopriorotootheolastodateofixedoforofilingoofotheoapplication.o ThisoCertificateowasovalidotillo31.08.2026.oTheosubsequento Certificateohasocomeointooexistenceoonlyoonoaccountoofotheo instructionso ofo theo respondentso accordingo too whicho theo petitionerohadotoogetohisodisabilityore-evaluated.oo o Havingoactedouponotheoinstructionsoofotheorespondents,o theopetitionerocannotobeonon-suitedoonlyoonotheogroundothato theosubsequentoclarificationobearsoaodateoafterotheolastodateoofo makingoofotheoapplication.oo o Ito iso undisputedo thato theo categoryo ino whicho theo petitionerohasobeenoprovisionallyoadmittedoisoofotheowardoofoao disabledo policeo person.o Petitioner'so fathero iso admittedlyo employedoinoPunjaboPoliceoandohasosufferedoaogunshotoinjuryo ino ano encounter.o Theo Disabilityo Certificateo issuedo byo theo authoritieso recordso temporaryo disabilityo too beo aboveo 45%.o TheocertificateoofodisabilityohasobeenoissuedounderoRuleo18oofo theoRightsoofoPersonsowithoDisabilityoRules,o2017o(foroshort,o 'Rulesoofo2017').oo o LearnedoSeniorocounseloforotheopetitionerohasoplacedo relianceouponoaojudgmentoofotheoDelhioHighoCourtoinoBhavyao Nainov.oHighoCourtoofoDelhi,o2020o(2)oSCTo590owhereinoao similaroCertificateoofoaotemporaryodisabilityowasoconstruedoaso sufficientotooextendotheobenefitoavailableotoopersonsosufferingo fromodisabilityounderotheoActoofo2016.oSimilaroviewohasobeeno takenoinoaosubsequentojudgmentoofotheoMadhyaoPradeshoHigho CourtoinoArpitoKumaroBhanaov.oUnionoBankoofoIndiaoando others,o Writo Petitiono No.22228o ofo 2023o decidedo ono

04.04.2025.oo04.04.2025 o o o oo -5-o o LearnedoSeniorocounseloforotheopetitioneroalsooplaceso relianceouponoRuleo19oofotheoRulesoofo2017owhichoreadsoaso under:-oo o "CertificateoissuedounderoRuleo18otoobeogenerallyovalido foro allo purposes:-Ao persono too whomo theo certificateo issuedo undero Ruleo 18o shallo beo entitledo too applyo foro facilities,o concessionso ando benefitso admissibleo foro personso witho disabilitieso undero schemeso ofo theo Governmentoandoofonon-Governmentaloorganizationso fundedobyotheoGovernment."oo o OnotheostrengthoofoRuleo19,oaforesaid,oitoisourgedothato theoDisabilityoCertificateoissuedounderoRuleo18oofotheoRuleso ofo2017oincludesocertificateoofotemporaryodisabilityoasowello asopermanentodisability.oSubmissionoisothatoRuleo19oofotheo Rulesoofo2017odoesonotorestrictotheobenefitounderotheoActoofo 2016o onlyo too ao person,o whoo iso issuedo ao Certificateo ofo permanentodisability.oLearnedocounselofurtherocontendsothato thereois,ootherwise,onoorestrictionoinotheoprospectusothatolimitso theobenefitoonlyotoopersonsowithopermanentodisabilityoinotheo category.oo o Matterorequiresoconsideration.oo o Noticeoofomotion.oo o Ms.o Samdishao Kaur,o AAG,o Punjabo ando Mr.o Nitino Kaushal,oAdvocateoacceptonoticeoonobehalfooforespondent-StateoandorespondentoNo.2orespectivelyoandoprayoforosomeo timeotoofileotheiroresponseoandoseekoinstructionsoinotheomatter.oo o Adjournedotoo01.12.2025.oo o Aso ano interimo measure,o ito iso providedo thato theo petitionerowouldobeoaccordedoconsiderationoinotheocategoryo ofo wardo ofo disabledo Policeo personnel,o subjecto too furthero ordersotoobeopassedoinothisopetition."o

2.e Facedo witho theo aboveo observationso ano affidavito datedo

16.01.2026ohasobeenofiledobyotheoStateoofoPunjabothroughotheoDirector,o CWPoNo.31343oofo2025o(O& !ooCWPoNo.31343oofo2025 (O& ! o Principal, Government Medical College, Patiala. The substance of objection to petitioner's claim is the use of word 'temporary' in the disability certificate as also the language implied in Section 2(s) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (hereinafter referred to as Act of 2016) which attaches the expression 'long term' with the nature of disability. The respondents, therefore, submit that in order to make out a case for appropriate protection under the Act of 2016, the disability must be shown to be permanent in nature. Since the certificate issued in favour of the petitioner's father is only for a period of two years, therefore, the petitioner cannot be treated as ward of a person suffering with disability. The respondents heavily relied upon the Division Bench judgment of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court in Sajad Ahmad Mir & others Vs. UT of J&K & others, 2025 AIR J&K 71. In the context of claim of disability the Division Bench observed as under in paragraphs 18 and 19 as under: "18. Viewed in the aforesaid background, it is difficult for us to say that to avail the benefit of reservation for admission in professional institutions under the category of physically challenged persons, a candidate must have benchmark disability which is only of permanent in nature. A long-term disability, which may not have chances of variation in near future, could also be considered to be a disability suffered by a person seeking benefit of reservation.

¶19We are in agreement with learned counsel for the petitioners that the Act does not make any distinction between a permanent or temporary disablement. However, we, on the analysis of different provisions reproduced hereinabove, have found that the purpose and object of providing reservation to the physically challenged persons integrity of this CWPoNo.31343oofo2025o(O& !ooCWPoNo.31343oofo2025 (O& ! o for admission in professional institutions is to provide such persons equal chances of participation in society with others. A disability temporary duration which has the chances of variation in degree in immediate future may not come within the definition of a person with benchmark disability. As we have noticed above, if we read Section 2(r) and 2(s) along with other provisions of the Act of 2016, the intent and object of providing reservation centers round permanent disability. This benefit is given to an individual who has to carry the weight of disablement through his entire life and the one who would be deprived of equal chances of participation in society. The purpose and object of providing reservation, concessions and other facilities to the persons with disabilities would not be achieved if the benefit is given to the persons afflicted with temporary disablements which are likely to dissipate or reduce in degree with passage of time or with appropriate treatment. A person with temporary disablement also does not carry a stigma as is carried by a person suffering with permanent disability. If the benefit of reservation is held available even to the persons with temporary affliction of disability, not only the purpose and object of legislation would be defeated but also the benefit would be availed by the persons with such temporary afflictions at the cost of those who have suffered and are suffering permanent disablement with stigma in their life. It is because of this reason, the concept of benchmark disability is coined for the purpose of granting the benefit of reservation only to the persons with permanent and long term disabilities. We are alive to a situation where the disability with forty percent or more is certified to be one which has the chances of variation in future. In such situation it would be appropriate to treat even such disablement as permanent disablement provided the Medical Authority certifies that the disablement suffered by the integrity of this CWPoNo.31343oofo2025o(O& !ooCWPoNo.31343oofo2025 (O& ! o candidate is a long-term disablement. However, in the absence of any guidelines on the issue, it would be difficult for us to say as to how long would be a 'long-term disablement'. We can only say that if the disability suffered by a person which meets the benchmark requirement of 40% is likely to subsist for more than ten years, it must be taken as long-term disablement and cannot be termed as temporary disablement so as to exclude such persons from the benefit of reservation."

¶3The respondents also contend that the Division Bench judgment of Jammu and Kashmir High Court was unsuccessfully assailed before the Hon'ble Supreme Court with dismissal of Special Leave to Appeal (Civil) No.15880 of 2025 vide order dated 26.08.2025. The order passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court is reproduced hereunder: "Delay condoned. We have heard learned counsel, Ms. Vrinda Bhandari for the petitioners and learned standing counsel, Mr. G. M. Kawoosa for the respondents at length and on several dates. We are afraid that we are unable to grant any relief to the petitioners herein. Hence, the Special Leave Petition stands dismissed. Consequently, the interim order stands vacated. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.

¶4On behalf of the petitioner, reliance is placed upon the judgment of Delhi High Court in Bhavya Nain Vs. High Court of Delhi, 2020(2) SCT 590; judgment of Madhya Pradesh High Court in A/,2$o -.('/o B%')'o 34.o U)2o)o B')@o ofo I)*2'o ')*o o$%+/4&o ,'44+*o 2)o W/2$o P+$2$2o)o No.2222Jo ofo 2023o *+=2*+*o o)o 04.04.2025; Division Bench P+$2$2o)o No.2222Jo ofo 2023o integrity of this CWPoNo.31343oofo2025o(O& !ooCWPoNo.31343oofo2025 (O& ! o judgment of this court in Harneet Kaur Vs. Baba Farid University of Health Science, BFUHS, Faridkot, Law Finder Doc ID # 1298680 and judgment of Delhi High Court in Anmol Kumar Mishra (Minor) Vs. Union of India and Ors., 2021 SCC Online Del 5148.

¶5We have heard learned senior counsel for the petitioner and respondents and perused the material on record.

¶6The facts, as have been noticed above, are not in dispute. The father of petitioner has sustained a gunshot injury while in action and issuance of disability certificate to him is not disputed. We may also note at this stage that initially the certificate of disability was issued to petitioner's father on 03.09.2024 (A))+D./+oPB6!oin which the incident of gunshot injury sustained on 13.12.2023 with limited range of motion of left hip and left knee was diagnosed but in the subsequent part of the certificate, the disability was specified as temporary and in relation to his one arm. This fact has been noticed in our previous order reproduced hereinabove. It appears that when the disability certificate was produced the respondents objected to it as Clause (C) of the disability certificate dated 03.09.2024 (A))+D./+o PB6!o was inconsistent with the findings recorded in Clause (B) thereof. This led to the petitioner seeking certificate dated 01.10.2025 (A))+D./+o PBG!&o 0%2=%o has been issued acknowledging the inadvertent error on part of the Chief Medical Officer, Ludhiana in issuing the earlier certificate dated 03.09.2024. It is also to be noticed that the defect was otherwise pointed out to the petitioner only on 30.09.2025 and it got rectified on the very next date i.e. 01.10.2025. integrity of this CWPoNo.31343oofo2025o(O& !ooCWPoNo.31343oofo2025 (O& ! o

¶7One of the issues raised is also the admissibility of the disability certificate on the ground that it has been obtained on a date subsequent to the last date of making of the application.

¶8In order to appreciate the respective submissions advanced, it would be worthwhile to note that the Act of 2016 is beneficial piece of legislation enacted to give effect to United Nation Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities and for matters connected therewith or exceptional death. The object which led to promulgation of the Act indicates that the United Nations General Assembly adopted in its thconvention on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities dated 13 day of December, 2006 to evolve principles which would ensure respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy etc. for persons suffering with disability and the object was to exclude non-discrimination and to secure full effective participation and inclusion in the society. Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity was also emphasized. Equality of opportunity accessibility; equality between men and women and respect for the evolving capacity of children with disability and respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities, was sought to be secured. India is a signatory to the said Convention and it is with the object of securing such rights for its citizens that the Act came to be promulgated.

¶9We have been taken through the Act of 2016 and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017 (hereinafter referred to as Rules of 2017) by learned senior counsel for the petitioner to submit that the integrity of this CWPoNo.31343oofo2025o(O& !ooCWPoNo.31343oofo2025 (O& ! o Act is centered around disability of a citizen and the specification of disability nowhere talks of temporary disability. Section 2(r) and 2(s) would be of help in determining the issues raised in the present petition and are reproduced hereunder: H(/!oo H,+/4o)o02$%o6+)=%('/@o*24'62:2$AKo (+')4o'o,+/4o)o 02$%o)o$o:+44o$%')ofo/$Ao,+/o=+)$.oofo'o4,+=2f2+*o*24'62:2$Ao 0%+/+o 4,+=2f2+*o *24'62:2$Ao %'4o )o$o 6++)o *+f2)+*o 2)o (+'4./'6:+o $+/(4o ')*o 2)=:.*+4o 'o ,+/4o)o 02$%o *24'62:2$Ao 0%+/+o4,+=2f2+*o*24'62:2$Ao%'4o6++)o*+f2)+*o2)o(+'4./'6:+o $+/(4&o'4o=+/$2f2+*o6Ao$%+o=+/$2fA2);o'.$%o/2$A>oo (4!oo H,+/4o)o 02$%o *24'62:2$AKo (+')4o 'o ,+/4o)o 02$%o :o);o $+/(o ,%A42=':&o (+)$':&o 2)$+::+=$.':o o/o 4+)4o/Ao 2(,'2/(+)$o 0%2=%&o 2)o 2)$+/'=$2o)o 02$%o 6'//2+/4&o %2)*+/4o %24o f.::o ')*o +ff+=$2<+o,'/$2=2,'$2o)o2)o4o=2+$Ao+F.'::Ao02$%oo$%+/4>o

¶10Section 2(zc) refers to specify disability as being the disability specified in the schedule. The Schedule to the Act contains list of specified disability including locomotor disability. A perusal of the Schedule would indicate that physical disability on various counts as also disability in the nature of visual impairment; intellectual disability; mental behavior; disability caused due to chronic neurological conditions as well as multiple disabilities stand specified in it. The last clause of the Schedule permits the Central Government to notify any other disability as being a specified disability. It is not disputed that various other disabilities have also been included ever since the promulgation of the Act. In the disability specified, there is no reference to the term 'temporary'.

¶11At this juncture it would be relevant to refer to Chapter VII of the Rules of 2017 which talks of certificate of disability. Rule 17 integrity of this o o o oo -12-o refersotoomakingoapplicationoforocertificateoofodisability.ooRuleo18oprovideso foro issueo ofo certificateo ofo disabilityo ando whileo Ruleo 19o specifieso thato certificateoissuedounderoRuleo18otoobeogenerallyovalidoforoallopurposes.oo Ruleso18oando19oofotheoRulesoofo2017oareoreproducedohereunder:o "18.oIssueoofocertificateoofodisability.-o(1)oOnoreceiptoofoano applicationounderoruleo17,otheomedicaloauthorityooroanyoothero notifiedocompetentoauthorityoshall,overifyotheoinformationoaso providedobyotheoapplicantoandoshalloassessotheodisabilityoino termso ofo theo relevanto guidelineso issuedo byo theo Centralo Governmentoandoafterosatisfyingohimselfothatotheoapplicantoiso aopersonowithodisability,oissueoaocertificateoofodisabilityoinohiso favouroinoFormoV,oVIoandoVII,oasotheocaseomayobe.o(2)oTheo medicalo authorityo shallo issueo theo certificateo ofo disabilityo withinoaomonthofromotheodateooforeceiptoofotheoapplication.o

(3)oTheomedicaloauthorityoshall,oafterodueoexaminationo-o(i)o issueo ao permanento certificateo ofo disabilityo ino caseso whereo thereoareonoochancesoofovariationoofodisabilityooverotimeoino theodegreeoofodisability;ooro(ii)oissueoaocertificateoofodisabilityo indicatingotheoperiodoofovalidity,oinocasesowhereothereoisoanyo chanceoofovariationooverotimeoinotheodegreeoofodisability.o(4)o Ifoanoapplicantoisofoundoineligibleoforoissueoofocertificateoofo disability,otheomedicaloauthorityoshalloconveyotheoreasonsotoo himo ino writingo undero Formo VIIIo withino ao periodo ofo oneo monthofromotheodateooforeceiptoofotheoapplication.o(5)oTheo StateoGovernmentoandoUnionoterritoryoAdministrationoshallo ensureothatotheocertificateoofodisabilityoisograntedoonoonlineo platformofromosuchodateoasomayobeonotifiedobyotheoCentralo Government.oo

19.oCertificateoissuedounderoruleo18otoobeogenerallyovalidoforo allopurposes.-oAopersonotoowhomotheocertificateoissuedoundero ruleo18oshallobeoentitledotooapplyoforofacilities,oconcessionso andobenefitsoadmissibleoforopersonsowithodisabilitiesoundero CWPoNo.31343oofo2025o(O& !ooCWPoNo.31343oofo2025 (O& ! o 4=%+(+4o ofo $%+o Go<+/)(+)$o ')*o ofo )o)BGo<+/)(+)$':o o/;')2?'$2o)4of.)*+*o6Ao$%+oGo<+/)(+)$.Ko

¶12By virtue of Rule 20, the validity of certificate of disability issued under the repealed Act 1995 has been made applicable in the new regime and such certificate is to continue to remain valid even after commencement of the Act for the period specified in the certificate.

¶13When we analyzed the statutory scheme we find the object of the Act is to protect a class of persons who are suffering with disability. The disability under the statute stands specified. The Rules of 2017 contemplates the medical authority to issue a certificate after examination of the citizen. Sub-Rule (3) of Rule 18 makes out a distinction between the disabilities. A permanent certificate of disability is to be issued where there is no chance of variation of disability over time in the degree of disability. The other kind of certificate of disability is to indicate the period of its validity where there is any chance of variation over time in the degree of disability. By virtue of Rule 19 a certificate ofo+2$%+/o@2)*o2.+.o,+/(')+)$o=+/$2f2='$+oo/o'o=+/$2f2='$+o244.+*o fo/o'of2D+*o,+/2o*oo/o<':2*2$A&otio.:*o=o)4$2$.$+o$%+o6'424ofo/o+D$+)*2);o$%+o 6+)+f2$o.)*+/o$%+oA=$.ooT%+o5.*;(+)$oofoJ'((.o')*o-'4%(2/oH2;%oCo./$o 2)o "'5'*o A%('*o 2/o ')*o o$%+/4o (4.,/'!o */'04o $%+o 4o./=+o ofo 2$4o o64+/<'$2o)of/o(o$%+o.4+oofo+D,/+442o)oL:o);o$+/(7o2)o"+=$2o)o2(4!.ooT%+o +D,/+442o)oL:o);o$+/(7o/+f+/4o$oo,%A42=':&o(+)$':&o2)$+::+=$.':o')*o4+)4o/Ao 2(,'2/(+)$&o 0%2=%o 2)o 2)$+/'=$2o)o 02$%o 6'//2+/4&o %2)*+/4o $%+o f.::o ')*o +ff+=$2<+o,'/$2=2,'$2o)o2)o4o=2+$Aoofo'o=2$2?+).ooI)oo./o<2+0o$%+o+D,/+442o)o :o);o $+/(o 24o +(6+**+*o 2)o $%+o <+/Ao =o)=+,$o ofo *24'62:2$Ao 2)'4(.=%o '4o 4,+=2f2+*o*24'62:2$Ao/+f+//+*o$oo2)o$%+o"=%+*.:+o6Ao2$4o<+/Ao)'$./+o24oofo'o integrity of this o o o oo -14-o longotermoduration.ooTheolocomotorodisabilityoorootherokindoofophysicalo disability,o likeo cerebralo palsy,o leprosyo cured,o dwarfism,o acido attacko victimsoandomuscularodystrophyoareotheodisabilitiesowhichoareotoocontinueo foro ao longo periodo ofo time.o o Ito iso foro thiso reasono thato theo expressiono 'temporaryodisability'odoesonotofindoplaceoanywhereoinotheoActoofo2016ooro theoRulesoofo2017.ooTheoconceptoofotemporaryodisability,oinoouroview,o cannoto beo construedo ino ao mannero whicho iso inconsistento witho theo veryo schemeo ofo theo Acto ando theo Rules.o Wheno theo legislatureo usedo theo expressionospecifiedodisability,oitodidonotomadeooutoaodistinctionobetweeno permanento disabilityo andotemporaryo disability.o o Eveno ino theoRulesotheo discretiono extendedo too theo medicalo authorityo waso too eithero issueo ao permanentocertificateoofodisabilityowhereothereoisonoochanceoofovariationoino theodegreeoofodisabilityooroaocertificateoofodisabilityoindicatingotheoperiodo ofovalidityowhereosuchodisabilityohasoanyochanceoofovariationoinodegreeoofo disabilityooveroaoperiodoofotime.ooItoisowithothisoobjectothatoRuleo19omakeso noo distinctiono betweeno theo medicalo authorityo issuingo theo permanento certificateoofodisabilityooroaocertificateoofodisabilityoindicatingotheoperiodo ofoitsovalidity.ooo

14.e Theoissueoneedsotoobeoexaminedofromoaodifferentoaspectoalso.oo Inotheoeventoaocertificateoofodisabilityospecifyingotheoperiodoofoitsovalidityo isonototoobeotreatedoasospecifiedodisabilityounderotheoActoofo2016oorotheo Rulesoofo2017othenotheoveryoobjectoofotheoaforesaidoActoandotheoRuleso wouldobeosubstantiallyocurtailed.ooThereocanobeochancesowhereotheoextento ofodisability,ooveroaoperiodoofotime,omayovary.ooThoughoaopersonomayobeo sufferingowithobenchmarkodisabilityoonoaoparticularodateoandoisoentitledotoo beneficialoprotectionounderotheoAct,obutowouldobeodeniedosuchoreliefoonlyo o o o oo -15-o becauseoatosomeolateropointoofotimeotheoextentoofodisabilityomayovary.oo ThisoconstructionomayonotobeoconsistentowithotheoobjectoofotheoActoitself.o

15.e Theo attentiono ofo theo Divisiono Bencho ino theo judgmento ofo SajadoAhmadoMiro&ootherso(supra)odoesonotoappearotoohaveobeenoinvitedo tootheoveryoschemeowhichodealsowithodisabilityoandonotoaoparticularoillnesso perose.oTheodisabilityobyoitsoveryonatureoisoaohandicapowhichoincursoao disqualificationoforoaocitizenooveroaolongoperiodoofotime,oandotheomereofacto thatotheoextentoofodisabilityomayovary,owouldonotodenyohim/herotheobenefito ofoprovisionsounderotheoAct.ooTheouseoofoexpressionodisabilityoincludesoao consciousodecisiononototoouseotheowordoillnessounderotheoAct.ooAnoillnesso mayobeotemporaryoinonatureoandooneomayogetocuredooveroaoperiodoofotime.oo Unlikeoit,otheospecifiedodisabilityoofotheonatureoindicatedoinotheoScheduleo isolikelyotoocontinueowithosomeovariationsooccurringolateroinopointoofotime.oo ItoisowithothisointentoandopurposeothatotheoDelhioHighoCourtoinoBhavyao Naino(supra)oobservedothatotheodisabilityoofoanyokind,oincludingotemporaryo disability,owouldobeoentitledotooprotectionounderotheoActoofo2016.ooWhileo agreeingowithotheoviewoexpressedobyotheoDelhioHighoCourtoinoBhavyaoBhavyao Naino(supra)Naino(supra)oweowouldolikeotoosayothatoforotheopurposesoofoextendingo benefitoofotheo Actoofo 2016o weo cano convenientlyo skipotheoterminologyo 'temporaryodisability'.ooThisoisosooasotemporaryodisabilityoisootherwiseonoto usedoasoaotermoanywhereoinotheoActoorotheoRules.ooTheoActorefersoonlyotoo disabilityo whicho mayo beo permanento inonatureoorodisabilityo whicho mayo varyooveroaoperiodoofotime.ooTheorecordingoofophraseo'temporary'oasoao prefixo too theo expressiono 'disability',o ino ouro consideredo view,o iso inconsistentowithotheoprovisionsoofotheoActoandotheoRulesoandoisoatobesto surplusage,owhichocouldobeoignored.ooo o o o oo -16-o

16.e InotheofactsoofotheocaseoweootherwiseofindothatotheoPoliceo Commissioneroforonotobeingosatisfiedowithotheonatureoofocertificateoissued,o calledoforoanoexplanationoofotheoChiefoMedicaloOfficer,oLudhianaowhoohado issuedothisocertificate.ooAocommunicationodatedo05.06.2025oissuedobyotheo CommissioneroofoPolice,oLudhianaoaddressedotooCiviloSurgeon,oLudhianao hasobeenoplacedobeforeotheoCourtowhichoisotakenoonorecord.ooItsocontentso areonotodisputedobyotheorespondent-State.ooTheopetitionerohasootherwiseo referredotooitsocontentsoinoparao4oofotheowritowhichoareonotodisputed.ooThiso documentorevealsothatotheoMedicaloOfficer,oLudhianaoinoresponseotootheo communicationoreceivedofromotheoCommissioneroofoPolice,oLudhiana,ohaso clarifiedotheodisabilityoinofollowingoterms:o o "AsoperorecordoofoSh.oDaljitoSingh,os/ooSh.oSukhdevo Singh,ohasobeenoissuedodisabilityoofofiftyopercentobyomedicalo boardocomprisingoofomembersoDr.oAmandpreetoKauroandoDr.o Sauravo Singlao datedo 3/9/2024o witho allegedo historyo ofo gunshotoinjuryo&olimitedorangeoofomotionoofoleftohipo&oknee.o foro 2o yearso temporaryo disabilityo aso theo affectedo conditiono mayoworsenoinoregardotoohisoinjury,othereforeodisabilityoiso temporaryoandowithopassageoofotime,odisabilityomayoworsen,o henceoreassessmentoisoaftero2oyearsow.r.t.o31/5/2026.ooThisoiso foroinformationoandonecessaryoactionoasoperorulesoapplied."o

17.e oAsoperotheomedicaloopinion,oextractedoabove,otheonatureoofo disabilityoofotheopetitioner'sofatheromayoworsen.ooOnceothisobeotheomedicalo opinion,o ito wouldo beo preposterouso too assumeo theo disabilityo ono parto ofo petitioner'sofatherotoobeoaotemporaryodisabilityosooasotoodenyotheopetitionero aobenefitounderotheoActoofo2016.ooo

18.e Inoviewoofotheodeliberationsoandodiscussionsoheldoabove,oweo areowithoutmostorespectotootheoDivisionoBenchoofoJammuoandoKashmiro o o o oo -17-o HighoCourt,oinclinedotootakeodifferentoviewofromowhatoisoexpressedoino SajadoAhmadoMiro(supra).ooo

19.e Weoareofortifiedoinotheoviewothatoweohaveotakenoaboveofromo theoprovisionsocontainedoinoChapteroXoofotheoActoofo2016.ooSectiono56o contemplateso issuanceo ofo guidelineso foro assessmento ofo specifiedo disability.oAsoperoSectiono57odesignatedocertifyingoauthoritiesoareoalsoo requiredotoobeodesignatedobyotheoappropriateogovernment,owhoowouldobeo competentotooissueotheocertificateoofodisability.ooTheojurisdictionoofotheo authoritiesowithoreferenceotooitsoareaohasoalsootoobeospecified.ooItoisonotoino issueothatotheocertificateoofodisabilityoissuedotoopetitioner'sofatheroisonotobyo theocompetentoauthority.ooSectiono58oisoofosignificanceoasoperowhichoanyo personowithospecifiedodisabilityomayoapply,oinosuchomanneroasomayobeo prescribedobyotheoCentraloGovernment,otooaocertifyingoauthorityohavingo jurisdiction,oforoissuingoofoaocertificateoofodisability.ooSectiono58oinoitso entiretyoisoreproducedohereunder:o o 58.oProcedureoforocertification.―(1)oAnyopersonowitho specifiedodisability,omayoapply,oinosuchomanneroasomayobeo prescribedo byo theo Centralo Government,o too ao certifyingo authorityohavingojurisdiction,oforoissuingoofoaocertificateoofo disability.oo o (2)oOnoreceiptoofoanoapplicationounderosub-sectiono(1),o theo certifyingo authorityo shallo assesso theo disabilityo ofo theo concernedo persono ino accordanceo witho relevanto guidelineso notifiedounderosectiono56,oandoshall,oafterosuchoassessment,o asotheocaseomayobe,―oo o (a)o issueoaocertificateoofodisabilityotoosuchoperson,o ino sucho formo aso mayo beo prescribedo byo theo CentraloGovernment;oo o o o oo -18-o o (b)oo informohimoinowritingothatoheohasonoospecifiedo disability.oo o (3)o Theo certificateo ofo disabilityo issuedo undero thiso sectionoshallobeovalidoacrossotheocountryo

20.e Sub-Sectiono(2)oofoSectiono58oprovidesothatoonoreceiptoofoano applicationo madeo undero sub-Sectiono (1)o theo certifyingo authorityo shallo assesso theo disabilityo ofo theo concernedo persono ino accordanceo witho theo relevanto guidelineso notifiedo undero Sectiono 56o ando shall,o aftero sucho assessment,oasotheocaseomayobe,oissueoaocertificateoofodisabilityotoosucho person,oinosuchoformoasomayobeoprescribedobyotheoCentraloGovernment.oo Theoformoinowhichosuchocertificateoisotoobeoissuedohasobeenoprescribedobyo theoCentraloGovernmentobyomakingotheoRulesoofo2017.ooInotheoRulesoofo 2017,o theo certificateo iso requiredo too beo issuedo indicatingo theo disabilityo eithero too beo permanento oro indicatingo theo periodo ofo validityo ofo theo certificateowhereothereoisoanyochanceoofovariationooverotimeoinotheodegreeo ofo disability.o o Theo formo prescribedo undero theo Ruleo doeso noto refero too issuanceoofoaocertificateospecifyingotheodisabilityotoobeotemporary.ooOnceo thatobeotheoprovisionoinolawotheomentioningoofodisabilityocertificateotoobeo 'temporary'oisonotoconsistentowithotheoprovisionsoofotheoActoandoisothuso liableotoobeoignored.o

21.e ComingotootheosecondopartoofotheoState'soobjectionothatotheo certificateoofodisabilityoissuedotoopetitioner'sofatheroisoafterotheocut-offo date,oweofindosuchoobjectiononototoobeosustainableoinolaw.ooTheoreasonoforo ourosayingosooisosimple.ooTheodisabilityoonopartoofotheopetitioner'sofatheroiso undisputed.ooSuchodisabilityoqualifiesotootheobenchmarkounderotheoActoiso alsoonotoquestioned.ooTheocertificateoofodisabilityoinitiallyoissuedotootheo o o o oo -19-o petitioner'sofatheroisoofoaodateopriorotootheolastodateofixedoi.e.o30.09.2025.o Theoinitialodisabilityocertificateoisoofo03.09.2024o(AnnexureoP-6).ooThiso certificateocontainsoanoinadvertentoerroroinasmuchoasotheodiagnosisomadeo byo theo Medicalo Boardo ofo petitioner'so fathero sufferingo witho locomotoro disabilityoonoaccountoofogunshotoinjuryolimitingorangeoofomotionoofolefto hipo ando lefto kneeo ando therebyo qualifyingo too beo disabilityo ofo 50%o iso inconsistentowithotheoultimateoconclusionowhereinotheodisabilityoisodefinedo asotemporaryodisabilityoinorelationotoooneoarm.ooThisoerroroinotheocertificateo wasonoticedobyotheorespondentsoandotheopetitionerowasoconfrontedowithoito ono30.09.2025.ooOnotheoveryonextodate,otheocorrectedodisabilityocertificateo haso beeno produced.o o Thiso clearlyo waso ano erroro ono parto ofo theo Chiefo MedicaloOfficer,oLudhianaoforowhichotheopetitionerocannotobeomadeotoo suffer.ooOnofactsoweofindothatotheoprincipleothatoaocertificateoissuedoaftero theocut-offodateooughtotoobeoexcluded,otoobeowhollyoinapplicable.oTheo disabilityocertificateoinotheopresentocaseoisoofoaodateopriorotootheolastodateo fixedoforotheopurposeoandomerelyobecauseoanoinadvertentorecordingoofofacto byotheoStateoofficialohasobeenorectifiedoonoaodateosubsequentotootheolasto date,owouldonotorenderotheocertificateoinadmissible.ooInofactotheocertificateo wouldobeo treatedotoohaveo beenoissuedotoo theopetitionero ono 03.09.2024o (AnnexureoP-6)owithocorrectionomadeothereinoono01.10.2025o(Annexureo P-7).ooTheosubsequentocertificateoonlyoremovesotheodefectorecordedoinotheo earlierocertificateoandowillorelateobackotootheoearlierodateoi.e.o03.09.2024.oo Inosuchocircumstancesotheodisabilityocertificateootherwiseocouldonotohaveo beenodiscardedoonotheogroundothatoitowasoobtainedoonoaodateolaterothanotheo lastodate.o o o o oo -20-o

22.e Inoviewoofotheodiscussionsoaforesaid,othisopetitionosucceedso andoisoallowed.o

23.e Allopendingomisc.oapplication(s),oifoany,oalsoostandodisposedo of.o o ooo (oASHWANIooKUMARoMISHRAo)o JUDGEo o o o th30 oMarch,o2026o (oROHIToKAPOORo)o 'raj'o JUDGEo o o Whetherospeaking/reasoned:o o Yeso o Noo o WhetheroReportable:o oo o Yeso o Noo