| Details : | Air Commodore Naresh Kumar Sharma (17038) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in the administrative branch on 29 Dec 82. He has held the appointments of Command Judge Advocate in four different Commands before being appointed as Judge Advocate General (Air) on 01 Aug 10. Since 15 Apr 13, he is functioning as Principal Director (Legal). He was commended by the Vice Chief of Air Staff on 08 Oct 96 and the Chief of Air Staff on 08 Oct 04. The Air Officer has displayed an extremely high degree of professionalism, uprightness, contribution and devotion to service. He has established an excellent rapport with the Solicitor General, Legal Advisors and Additional Solicitor Generals, Ministry of Law to ensure that no case is decided ex-parte and no contempt case is decided against the Indian Air Force. The Air Officer, with his extensive legal knowledge and analytical proclivity, conceived and implemented the ways and means to curtail avoidable delays at the investigative stage of disciplinary cases. He made a tremendous contribution towards providing essential legal policies, procedures and guidelines as ready reckoners on the IAF Intranet for commanders and administrators to ensure due compliance and transparency in all legal matters. The Air Officer provided constant guidance to the CJAs and course corrections provided by him in the complicated cases helped them to safeguard service interests in an effective manner. After setting up of the Armed Forces Tribunals, there was a sudden influx of a substantial number of cases in the AFTs, especially the long outstanding ones, which posed an insurmountable challenge. The paucity of Govt. Counsels, who were yet to be appointed for AFTs, further aggravated the situation. The Air Officer, with his perseverance and vast experience gleaned through research of over a decade old cases, provided all legal and tactical support to the Officers-in-Charge of Legal Cells concerned. With his relentless efforts, round-the-clock monitoring and personal involvement, more than 1200 cases have been decided by the AFTs, out of which about 85% cases have gone in favour of Uol/IAF. For distinguished service of high order, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Air Commodore Naresh Kumar Sharma. |
