The Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), Regional Bench Jabalpur, plays a vital role in delivering justice to armed forces personnel in matters of service grievances and court martial appeals. After independence, the Indian Government introduced legal frameworks such as the Army Act (1950), Air Force Act (1950), and Navy Act (1957) to regulate legal and administrative matters in defence services.
The need for a dedicated judicial forum for military personnel became more apparent as service-related cases began to pile up in civilian courts. This led to the creation of the Armed Forces Tribunal through an Act passed in 2007. The Jabalpur Bench stands as one of the regional pillars of this tribunal system, ensuring fast and fair justice for servicemen and their families in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Background and Formation
- Legal Foundation
- Defence Services Regulations were developed post-independence.
- These were directives for administrative and legal matters in the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
- Later Acts like the Army Act 1950, the Air Force Act 1950, and the Navy Act 1957 further clarified service laws.
- Judicial Need Identified
- 1982: The Supreme Court, in Lt. Col. Prithi Pal Singh Bedi vs Union of India, pointed out the lack of a review mechanism.
- 1992: The Estimates Committee of Parliament recommended the creation of an independent tribunal.
- Establishment of AFT
- The Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 enacted.
- Came into force on 15th June 2008.
- Principal Bench was established in New Delhi with 17 benches across India.
Key Dates and Inaugurations
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| AFT Act Passed | 20th December 2007 |
| Came into Force | 15th June 2008 |
| Principal Bench Inaugurated | 8th August 2009 by President Smt. Pratibha Patil |
| Jabalpur Bench Notified | 3rd May 2016 |
| Inauguration of Jabalpur Bench | 9th May 2016 by Justice Rajendra Menon |
| Website Launch | 30th October 2017 |
Location and Jurisdiction
- Temporary Location
- 106, Bhagat Marg, Old Chief Engineer’s Office, Near Sadar Bazar, Jabalpur - 482001.
- Operated temporarily due to repair needs at the permanent site.
- Permanent Site (Planned)
- Building Nos T-57, T-59, T-106/4, Ridge Road, Jabalpur Cantt.
- Declared in need of major repairs before operationalization.
- Jurisdiction
- Covers the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Initial Challenges and Setup
- Establishment Efforts
- Members and the Registrar had to set up the office in a temporary facility.
- No permanent staff were available at the time of inauguration.
- Support staff initially provided by Lucknow Bench temporarily.
- Recruitment and Infrastructure
- Staff recruited on a re-employment, contract, and deputation basis.
- Basic furniture and equipment were arranged from MES Jabalpur.
- The Tribunal became fully operational from 1st July 2016.
Administrative and Judicial Members
| Name | Designation | Date of Joining |
|---|---|---|
| Justice Amar Saran | Member (Judicial) | 23rd November 2015 |
| Lt. Gen. (Retd.) N.B. Singh | Member (Administrative) | 23rd November 2015 |
| Mr. Saleem Ahmad Khan | Registrar | 9th February 2016 |
| Shabana Ali Khan | Deputy Registrar | - |
| Major Gaurav Verma | OIC Legal Cell, HQ MB Area | - |
Powers and Functions
- Scope of Cases
- All personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, whether serving or retired, can appeal.
- Includes cases related to service grievances, court martial decisions, and disciplinary actions.
- Who Can Apply
- Personnel, dependents, heirs, and successors can file petitions.
- Type of Appeals
- Statutory complaints against service-related decisions.
- Appeals against court martial findings or sentences.
Website Launch and Digital Access
- Digital Presence
- Website launched on 30th October 2017.
- Aims to provide easy access to judgments, case status, and legal forms.
- Launch Ceremony
- Attended by tribunal members and officials from the Bar Association, HQ MB Area, and legal cell staff.
Building Inspection and Permanent Shift Plans
- Joint Inspection
- Conducted by Members, Registrar, HQ MB Area, and Garrison Engineer.
- Buildings on Ridge Road were declared dilapidated and unsafe.
- Action Taken
- Fresh Administrative Estimates (AE) submitted.
- Awaiting budget sanction from the Government of India.
- Next Steps
- Upon budget approval, MES Jabalpur will carry out special repairs.
- The tribunal will shift to a permanent location post-renovation.
Comparison with Other Regional Benches
| Regional Bench | Location | No. of Courts |
|---|---|---|
| New Delhi (Principal) | Delhi | 3 |
| Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | 3 |
| Chandigarh | Punjab | 3 |
| Jabalpur | Madhya Pradesh | 1 |
| Others | Jaipur, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Guwahati, Kochi, Srinagar | 1 each |
Benefits to Defence Personnel
Regional benches like Jabalpur ensure justice is accessible in smaller cities.
Timely Justice
Faster resolution of service-related disputes.
Less backlog compared to civilian courts.
Specialized Knowledge
Judges and members have expertise in military laws and procedures.
Accessibility
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