Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) in Jammu and Kashmir | 08 Jan 2025

Recently, the Supreme Court proposed setting up Benches of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh to address the rising backlog of defence-related cases from these regions.

Current Burden on AFT Chandigarh:
- The SC noted that AFT Chandigarh is handling cases from Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
- Setting up circuit benches in Jammu and Kashmir, Shimla, and Dharamshala would help reduce the backlog.
Supreme Court's Directions to the Centre:
- The court instructed the Centre to compile data on the total sanctioned strength and vacancies in tribunals.
- The Centre was asked to propose a systematic mechanism for filling these posts.
- Details of ongoing recruitment processes for tribunal posts must be submitted within four weeks.

It is a military tribunal in India. It was established under the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007.
It has provided the power for the adjudication or trial by AFT of disputes and complaints with respect to commission, appointments, enrolments and conditions of service in respect of persons subject to the Army Act, 1950, The Navy Act, 1957 and the Air Force Act, 1950.
The Judicial Members are retired High Court Judges and Administrative Members are retired Members of the Armed Forces who have held the rank of Major General/ equivalent or above for a period of three years or more, Judge Advocate General (JAG), who have held the appointment for at least one year are also entitled to be appointed as the Administrative Member.