M.G.C. NAIR Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) I am hearing all these Writ Petitions together since the factual factors presented therein and the prayers sought are analogous.

(2.) The petitioners in these cases are stated to be litigants before the Armed Forces Tribunal, Regional Bench, Kochi (hereinafter referred to as 'the Tribunal' for short). Their allegation is that the Tribunal is now incapacitated from functioning on account of the lack of adequate number of members appointed to it; and thus pray that either this Court direct the Union of India to appoint sufficient number of members or in the alternative, that their respective cases be directed to be taken up and disposed of appropriately by making alternate arrangements.

(3.) When these matters were pending, the learned Assistant Solicitor General was directed to complete pleadings on behalf of the Union of India and a statement, dated 11.09.2020, has been now filed wherein, the following have been stated: