The Supreme Court sought a response from the Centre on a contempt petition filed by 30 women army officers alleging discrimination in the process for their promotion vis-à-vis male officers. The petitioners challenged a decision of the special no 3 selection board that concluded in December to empanel just eight out of 136 women officers as Colonels against 42 vacancies. It was a violation of the November 3 order of the top court, which directed the army authorities that the selection board should not include women officers who were already