#Armed Forces Tribunal

Kerala High Court dismisses a writ petition challenging a disability pension denial due to a 4-year delay without satisfactory explanation, reinforcing that laches defeats litigation finality under Article 226. The ruling underscores that inordinate delays in approaching constitutional courts can forfeit relief, even in service-related disputes involving fundamental rights.

Kerala High Court rules that a customary divorce deed executed during the parents' lifetime qualifies a divorced daughter for family pension under Section 29(2) of the Hindu Marriage Act. The judgment clarifies that customary divorces, even if informal, are legally valid for determining pension benefits, impacting service law and family pension claims across Hindu communities.

Allahabad HC dismisses writ petition challenging an Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) order, ruling that only the Delhi High Court has jurisdiction to review decisions of the AFT's Principal Bench. The court reaffirmed the binding precedent in Alapan Bandyopadhyay, clarifying that territorial jurisdiction for AFT appeals is exclusive to Delhi HC, impacting service members seeking judicial review of discharge or disciplinary orders.

Madhya Pradesh High Court holds that disputes over selection to Indian Army before induction are not 'service matters' under AFT Act, 2007, and must be adjudicated by civil courts.