A plea filed by around 300 Armed personnel in the Supreme Court of India challenging the registration of FIRs against them for operating in areas where Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), will be heard on August 20, reported the Press Trust of India.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice A M Khanwilkar considered the submissions of lawyer Aishwarya Bhati that Army personnel are being prosecuted for performing duties in disturbed areas.
The plea said the registration of FIR and prosecution of Army personnel was against the provisions of AFSPA as they grant immunity to them against the prosecution for actions performed during official duties.
The plea said that such prosecutions lower the morale of the military and para-military forces. Army personnel are being prosecuted for alleged excesses and fake encounters in areas like Manipur and Kashmir.
Some of the prosecutions have been initiated following apex court directions, especially in Manipur.
