The Supreme Court of India on Monday took note of significant vacancies in the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) and sought responses from the Centre and other authorities on a plea demanding timely appointments.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi agreed to hear the petition and requested R Venkataramani to assist the court in the matter.
Concern Over Functioning of Tribunal
The plea, filed by the Armed Forces Tribunal Bar Association (Regional Bench), highlighted that out of the 11 AFT benches across the country, only three may remain functional by the end of the year if vacancies are not filled promptly.
The bench directed the petitioner’s counsel to share a copy of the petition with the Attorney General’s office and scheduled the next hearing in two weeks.
Demand for Time-Bound Appointments
The petition urges the government to complete the selection process and fill vacant posts in a time-bound manner, in compliance with provisions of the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007.
Section 5 of the Act governs the composition and functioning of the tribunal and its benches. The plea also requested that existing judicial and administrative members be allowed to continue in their roles—with their consent—until new appointments are made.
Impact on Justice Delivery
The issue of vacancies is seen as critical, as delays in appointments could severely impact the tribunal’s ability to handle cases related to service matters and disputes involving armed forces personnel.
The court’s intervention is expected to expedite the appointment process and ensure that the tribunal continues to function effectively without disruption.
