Explore options to compensate military men who win legal battles: SC judge

Speaking at the silver jubilee celebrations of the Institute of Military Law, the judge said that army needs to maintain strict discipline

A Supreme Court judge has called for exploring all options for 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 (IML) at Kamptee on Monday, apex 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.

IML, Kamptee celebrated its Raising Day at their premises in Kamptee.

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.

Brigadier Vijay Kumar, commandant IML and Colonel Dr A K Vashisth, deputy commandant, were present on the occasion.