YOGESH PATHANIA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present appeal under Section 30 read with Section 31 of the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 (for short "the Act") along with IA No. 1 of 2016 seeking leave to appeal arises out of an order passed by the Armed Forces Tribunal, Chandigarh, Regional Bench at Chandimandir (for short 'Tribunal') in OA (Appeal No. 324 of 2010) on 06.08.2015.

(2.) The appeal before the Tribunal was directed against the findings and the sentence awarded by District Court Martial (for short 'DCM') on 01.02.2010 confirmed on 09.03.2010 and also against rejection of his statutory complaint under Section 161 (2) of the Air Force Act , 1950 by the Chief of Air Staff. The DCM was initiated on account of an incident on the intervening night of 22.05.2009 and 23.05.2009 wherein a breach of good order of Air Force discipline was created by Module II airmen trainees attached to NTTI and Accounts Conversion Course trainees in the TV Room, over the change of TV channel on 22.05.2009 between 2150 hrs to 2210 hrs.

(3.) The incident pertaining to the disciplinary proceedings against the appellant happened after 2240 hrs in Dakota 'A' Block and at the main gate. A Court of Inquiry was conducted followed by summary of evidences. Thereafter the appellant was tried by DCM on seven charges of misconduct. The DCM has found the appellant guilty of charge nos. 3, 5 and 7 which read as under: