Armed Forces Tribunal Expansion: Enhancing Legal Accessibility

Why in the news?

The Supreme Court has proposed establishing new Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) benches in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh to address the rising backlog of defence-related cases, ensuring timely justice for military personnel in these underserved regions.

Armed Forces Tribunal Expansion: Enhancing Legal Accessibility

Expansion of Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT):

  • The Supreme Court has proposed establishing new AFT benches in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
  • This move aims to address the increasing backlog of defence-related cases in these regions.

Structure and Operations

  • AFT functions with a principal bench in New Delhi and regional benches in cities such as Chandigarh, Lucknow, Chennai, and Srinagar.
  • Each bench comprises:
    • A Judicial Member (retired High Court Judge).
    • An Administrative Member (retired Armed Forces officer of Major General rank or above).
  • Hearings are conducted in English, following procedures akin to High Courts.
  • The tribunal addresses disputes related to:
    • Appointments and enrolments.
    • Commissions and service conditions.
    • Court-martial verdicts.

Significance of the Proposal

  • Adding new benches underscores the government’s focus on ensuring timely justice for armed forces personnel.
  • This initiative enhances legal accessibility in underserved regions, reflecting a commitment to addressing the unique needs of defence personnel efficiently.

About Armed Forces Tribunal:

  • AFT was established under the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007, and operates under the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
  • It handles military disputes, including service matters and appeals against court-martial decisions.
  • AFT has:
  • Original jurisdiction: Service-related cases.
  • Appellate jurisdiction: Court-martial decisions.
  • Appeals against AFT decisions are only allowed in the Supreme Court.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times