Armed Forces Tribunal wants contempt powers

With the Defence Ministry refusing to reinstate a Muslim soldier acquitted of the charges of being an ISI agent, the Armed Forces Tribunal has asked the government to provide it with contempt powers to get its orders implemented.

It has also allowed the counsel of the soldier to file a petition in the Supreme Court so that proper directions could be given to make the tribunal "functional and effective".

The tribunal had last year quashed an Indian Army order against Naib Subedar Fayaz Khan where he was summarily court martialled from his post of religious teacher in 25 Rajput Regiment on allegations that he had links with Islamic terror groups.

"This is an unfortunate matter as the order has not been complied with till this date. Notice has been issued a number of times to all authorities including the Defence Secretary but without any result.'