Defence Minister Rajnath Singh – the judiciary is the foundation of a democratic society.

Rajnath Singh, the minister of defence, declared that the government is dedicated to strengthening the Armed Forces Tribunal’s authority and responsiveness and putting necessary steps into place. On Saturday in New Delhi, the Armed Forces Tribunal Principal Bench Bar Association hosted a seminar titled “Introspection: Armed Forces Tribunal.” Speaking to the audience, he stated that the judiciary is a powerful cornerstone of democracy and that judges and attorneys are pillars of this legal system. According to him, sound delivery mechanisms for the court form the cornerstone of “Suraj,” or good administration, and people turn to the judiciary when they have exhausted all other avenues.

Rajnath Singh noted that domain-specific tribunals had been established to handle a variety of disputes and resolve open ones. He emphasised that judges are trusted by litigants and that all necessary steps were being taken, such as filling open positions in the tribunals, to hasten the delivery of justice. He also gave the audience the assurance that the government will take proposals made at the seminar into account in order to satisfy the demands of serving and former service members for the prompt administration of justice.

In order to lessen the burden of pendency on the legal system in general and the Armed Forces Tribunal in particular, the defence minister called for a balance between the adages “justice delayed is justice denied” and “justice hurried is justice buried.” This is because prompt delivery of justice will not only lessen the burden on the Armed Forces Tribunal but will also increase the soldiers’ faith in the system.

The minister told the crowd that the United States and the United Kingdom, two industrialised nations, only have appellate jurisdiction but the Armed Forces Tribunal in India has both original and appellate jurisdiction. It is particularly essential since the Armed Forces Tribunal is a crucial venue for the resolution of complaints from members of the armed forces, veterans, and their families.

With the nation celebrating “Aazadi Ke Amrit Mahotsav,” Singh continued, “This reflective seminar on the Armed Forces Tribunal has acquired added significance today.” He also recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call on “Panch Pran” for making India a developed country, freeing it from colonial mindset, being proud of our heritage, and performing our duties. The Indian culture places a high value on introspection and observation, Singh continued.

The administration is trying to shorten the time that cases are pending, according to Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju. He claimed that courts like the Armed Forces Tribunal were essential in lowering the backlog.  There was also Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary, and Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pandey. The keynote speech was given by Justice Rajendra Menon, Chairperson of the AFT.