'Justice Hurried Is Justice Buried': Rajnath Singh Urges ATF To Fast-Track Resolution Of Pending Cases

He emphasised the importance of avoiding delays in justice delivery, citing the adage "Justice delayed is justice denied," which can undermine public trust in the judicial system.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday (August 4) stressed the importance of a balanced approach to the judicial process during the Armed Forces Tribunal Raising Day event. He emphasised the importance of avoiding delays in justice delivery, citing the adage "Justice delayed is justice denied," which can undermine public trust in the judicial system. While recognising the establishment of fast-track courts and tribunals to expedite legal proceedings, Singh warned against jeopardising the integrity of the judicial process in the pursuit of expeditious justice, citing the adage "Justice hurried is justice buried". 

Singh emphasised the importance of taking a balanced approach in the operation of AFT, stating that cases should be resolved while keeping in mind the needs, interests, resources, and limitations of all involved parties. He explained it using the example of a democratic system in which people's representatives balance the needs of various sections of society.

"Now that the country has entered 'Amrit Kaal' and set the goal of creating a developed India by 2047, it must ensure that affordable justice is available to all strata of society," he said, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence. 

The Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) was established by the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007, and was inaugurated on August 8, 2009, by the President of India. Its primary goal is to provide expeditious and cost-effective justice to ex-servicemen, their families, war widows, and serving military personnel. As of June 30, 2023, the AFT had successfully disposed of over 74,000 cases out of a total of over 97,500 cases, achieving an impressive 76% disposal rate, the statement said.

The Defence Minister also unveiled the first volume of the 'AFT Law Journal,' which contains references answered by the AFT thus far, according to the statement. Among those in attendance were Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, and AFT Chairman Justice Shri Rajendra Menon, it added.