This Article is From May 17, 2016

Find Ways To Compensate Military Men Who Win Cases After Court Martial: Supreme Court Judge

Find Ways To Compensate Military Men Who Win Cases After Court Martial: Supreme Court Judge

Supreme Court judge Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri said it was a must to maintain the tradition of strict discipline in Armed forces. (Representational Image)

Nagpur: A Supreme Court judge has called for exploring all options of compensating military personnel found guilty during court martial instead of reinstating them in service after winning legal battles.

Speaking at the silver jubilee celebrations of the Institute of Military Law at Kamptee in Nagpur on Monday, Supreme Court judge Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri said it was a must to maintain the tradition of strict discipline in Armed forces.

Elaborating on his suggestion, Justice Sikri said that such options were available in civil disputes under Industrial Dispute Act wherein private companies do it by paying increased compensation or one-time settlement or payment.

"In the era of globalisation, if a company doesn't want a particular employee, they resort to such tactics. Even in Armed forces, such options should be explored. When Army personnel, who are pronounced guilty during court martial, return to their positions after winning legal battles either in Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) or  Supreme Court, they virtually motivate others to indulge in indiscipline and bring bad name to the organisation," he said.

Institute of Military Law, Kamptee celebrated its Raising Day at their premises in Kamptee near Nagpur on Monday.

Justice Sikri planted a palm plant to mark the occasion. He later addressed officers undergoing 25 JAAC Course and Judge Advocate General Branch officers which included an officer from Bangladesh Army.

Justice Sikri stressed that it is the responsibility of JAG branch officers to carefully study each case and ensure that principle of natural justice is followed.

He also emphasised that in armed forces, justice and discipline are to be ensured and JAG branch officers have a very important role to play in achieving this.

Brigadier Vijay Kumar Commandant IML and Colonel Dr AK Vashisth Deputy Commandant were present on the occasion.

Brigadier DV Singh, Commandant GRC, Brigadier SB Singh, Dy Comdt OTA NCC, Brigadier Rakesh Mishra, Dy JAG (CM) Army Headquarters and Group Captain George Mattam, CJA (Air Force) Headquarters Maintenance Command were also present on the occasion, a release from the Defence PRO said.
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