Few More Benches Of AFT Are Likely To Be Functional Soon As Central Government Has Cleared Name of 6 Judicial Members For Their Appointment

The Central government has cleared the name of six judicial members for their appointment in various benches of Armed Forces Tribunal, after sever displeasure shown by Supreme Court over the filing of vacancies in Tribunals. The three judges bench of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, headed by Hon’ble Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, recently has opined that central government is acting in a manner which may likely to proceed towards the closure of tribunals. After this serious concern the Central government has cleared following names as judicial members for Armed Forces Tribunal:

(i) Justice Bala Krishna Narayana; (ii) Justice Shashi Kant Gupta; (iii) Justice Rajiv Narain Raina (iv) Justice K Harilal;

(v) Justice Dharam Chand Chaudhary and (vi) Justice Anjana Mishra.

The tenure of these judicial members would be in accordance with the Tribunal Reforms Act 2021, for a period of 4 years or till attainment of age of 67 years which ever is earlier. As per the reports out of 17 benches only three benches are functional i.e. Armed Forces Tribunal, Principal Bench, Delhi, Regional Bench at Lucknow and Regional Bench at Lucknow. There are pendency of more than 19000 of cases under various categories. Due to vacant position of benches the litigants are constraints to suffer heavily.

Stay tuned for more details which are still awaited.

Out of 6 only 4 are likely to join as judicial member in Armed Forces Tribunal

Only four members are likely to join as a judicial members in Armed Forces Tribunal. Hon’ble Justice Bala Krishna Narayan, former judge of High Court of Judicature at Allahabad has already been appointed as Chairman to Uttar Pradesh Human Rights Commission. He has assumed his office with effect from 05 June 2021. Hon’ble Justice Shashi Kant Gupta who is also a retired judge from the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad has also been appointed as Chairperson of Appellate Authority under CA, CS, and CMA laws. The government of India Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has confirmed his appointment vide notification dated 15 June 2021. Justice S K Gupta will hold his office as chairman of Appellate Authority for a period of 3 years. Thus only four members may join his office in Armed Forces Tribunal as judicial members.