The Principal Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) has summoned both the Defence Secretary and the Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, in a contempt case concerning the non-payment of a jawan's disability pension. Despite multiple orders from the Tribunal, the pension remains unpaid.

The AFT has set October 21 as the date for the Defence Secretary and Army Chief to appear and explain the failure to comply with its rulings. This directive follows a recent decision by a larger AFT bench affirming that the Tribunal has the authority to enforce contempt proceedings in cases of deliberate non-compliance.

Earlier, the Ministry of Defence had challenged the AFT's powers in the Delhi High Court. However, the High Court upheld the Tribunal’s authority to ensure compliance with its orders and instructed the Defence Secretary to provide an affidavit indicating whether ministerial approval was obtained before filing the challenge.

Although the High Court is set to hear the ministry's appeal in October, it clarified that it will not stay the AFT's contempt proceedings, allowing the case to move forward.