Supreme Court addressed the limits of military discipline under the Army Act. Colonel S.K. Jain’s conviction for possessing old ammunition was downgraded from a civil offence to an act prejudicial to good order under Section 63, reflecting the Tribunal’s power to substitute charges under Section 15 of the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007.

The Court upheld the view that disciplinary justice must balance fairness with institutional integrity.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Judicial restraint, substitution of conviction, proportional punishment.

Statutes:

✅ Army Act, 1950 — Sections 63, 69, 70

✅ Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 — Section 15

✅ Arms Act, 1959 — Section 3, 25(1-B)

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