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Journalism of Courage
Parliament on Thursday passed a Bill to set up a tribunal which will adjudicate disputes and complaints of Armed Forces with respect to commission, appointments, enrolment and conditions of service.
The Armed Forces Tribunal Bill, passed by the Rajya Sabha last week, received the nod of the Lok Sabha amid vociferous protest by members against the demolition of the Babri masjid 15 years ago on this day.
The bill was to have been discussed in the Lok Sabha but amid the din it was put to vote by Deputy Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal and passed.
The proposed Armed Forces Tribunal will be ‘independent’ with benches in all major regions of the country. Government can appoint judicial members to the body.
The tribunal would address ‘genuine grievances’ of the armed forces and at the same time ensure that the discipline in the defence services is not tinkered with.
The Bill also provides for appeals arising out of orders, findings or sentences of court-martial held under the Army Act,1950, the Navy Act,1957 and the Air Force Act,1950.
The Central government will set up the Tribunal which will consist of a Chairperson and judicial and administrative members as decided by the Centre.
At present, there are over 9000 cases of Armed Forces pending before various courts in the country, while 125 matters are before the Supreme Court.
The tribunal is expected to be at par with High Courts and civil courts will cease to have jurisdiction over service matters once the mechanism is put in place.
