Sapper Manoj Kumar v. Union of India

Delhi High Court · 21 Mar 2016 · 2016:DHC:2377
Hima Kohli; Sunil Gaur
W.P.(C) 8714/2014
2016:DHC:2377
military_law petition_dismissed

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court held that a writ petition against a Summary Court Martial order is not maintainable without first exhausting the statutory appeal remedy under Section 164 of the Army Act, 1950.

Full Text
Translation output
W.P.(C) 8714/2014
HIGH COURT OF DELHI
W.P.(C) 8714/2014
SAPPER MANOJ KUMAR ..... Petitioner
Through : Mr. S.M. Dalal, Advocate
VERSUS
UNION OF INDIA & ORS ..... Respondents
Through : Dr. Ashwani Bhardwaj, Advocate
CORAM:
HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE HIMA KOHLI
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUNIL GAUR O R D E R 21.03.2016
JUDGMENT

1. The present petition has been filed by the petitioner assailing the order dated 1.4.2014, passed by the Summary Court Martial conducted against him, whereunder he was inflicted a punishment of rigorous imprisonment for a period of three months in military custody.

2. At the outset, learned counsel for the respondents states that the petitioner has an equally efficacious alternative remedy of preferring an appeal against the order dated 1.4.2014, as provided for in Section 164 of the Army Act, 1950, but without exhausting the said route, he has rushed to the court, which is impermissible.

3. Counsel for the petitioner concedes that the petitioner has not filed a statutory appeal against the order dated 1.4.2014. He states that the petitioner may be permitted to withdraw the present petition, while reserving his right to file a statutory appeal within one week, as permissible in law. 2016:DHC:2377 W.P.(C) 8714/2014

4. Upon the petitioner filing a statutory appeal within one week from today, the same shall be considered by the competent authority in accordance with law and orders shall be passed on merits without detaining itself on the aspect of delay.

5. If the petitioner is aggrieved by the said order, he shall be entitled to seek his remedies in accordance with law, within the stipulated timeline.

6. The writ petition is disposed of. HIMA KOHLI, J SUNIL GAUR, J MARCH 21, 2016 sk/ap