New Delhi, Sept. 27 -- The Supreme Court directed the reinstatement of aformer short service commission woman Air Force officer after a gap of nearly 14 years, making a one-time exception by exercising its extraordinary constitutional powers due to her "war widow" status.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant said, "This is a case of the appellant becoming eligible on both counts; her being an ex-Air Force officer, and she being a war widow of an Air Force officer."

The bench, also comprising justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, noted her case as "peculiar" and deserving sympathetic treatment considering her two school-going daughters.

The order passed on September 21, and now made public, stated, "Considering the...