By IANS
New Delhi : Legislation on creating special courts to try cases against armed forces personnel has been drafted and will be tabled in parliament after it is vetted by legal experts, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said here Wednesday.
“The defence ministry had drafted a bill and this was considered by a standing committee of parliament. Some recommendations were made and these have been incorporated. The bill is now with the law ministry for vetting after which it will be tabled in parliament,” Antony told reporters on the sidelines of a Coast Guard conference.
There are some 9,000 cases against armed forces personnel pending in various courts across the country. Once an Armed Forces Tribunal is created, all these cases will be transferred to the new entity.
The tribunal, once it is constituted, would deal with appeals against court martial verdicts and grievances relating to conditions of service including promotions, confirmations and appointments.
The decision to form the tribunal had been taken in the light of a Supreme Court directive for setting up such a body. This apart, the defence has long felt the need for a body to prevent military officials from going to civil courts for redressing their grievances.
The tribunal would function on the lines of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). The Army Act, the Navy Act and the Air Force Act would have to be amended before the tribunal is set up.