Section 32 of AFT Act 2007 - Condonation and Extension of Time
Section 32 of the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 gives the Supreme Court power, on an application by the appellant, to extend the time within which an appeal may be preferred to the Supreme Court under Section 30 or Section 31(2).
Updated: September 7, 2026
What is condonation under Section 32?
In this context, "condonation" refers to extension of the statutory time for preferring an appeal to the Supreme Court. Section 32 does not itself prescribe a separate numerical limitation period. Instead, it authorizes the Supreme Court to extend the time applicable to an appeal under Section 30 or under Section 31(2).
Section 32 - Condonation
Section 32: The Supreme Court may, upon an application made at any time by the appellant, extend the time within which an appeal may be preferred by him to that Court under Section 30 or sub-section (2) of Section 31.
Who can extend the time?
The power under Section 32 is expressly conferred on the Supreme Court. The provision states that the Court may extend the time upon an application made by the appellant. Accordingly, Section 32 should be read as part of the statutory appeal framework contained in Chapter V of the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007.
Which appeals are covered by Section 32?
| Related provision | Subject | How Section 32 operates |
|---|---|---|
| Section 30 | Appeal to the Supreme Court | Section 32 authorizes the Supreme Court to extend the time for preferring an appeal under Section 30. |
| Section 31(2) | Time for seeking leave to appeal | Section 32 also authorizes extension of time in relation to the appeal mechanism referred to in Section 31(2). |
How Section 32 relates to Section 31
Section 31(2) provides the statutory time framework for seeking leave to appeal. An application to the Tribunal for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court is to be made within 30 days from the date of the Tribunal's decision, and an application to the Supreme Court for leave is to be made within 30 days from the date on which leave is refused by the Tribunal.
Practical meaning of "application made at any time"
The statutory text states that the Supreme Court may act upon an application made "at any time" by the appellant. The provision therefore gives the Supreme Court an express extension-of-time jurisdiction within the AFT appeal framework. Whether an extension should actually be granted in an individual case remains a judicial determination on the facts and the applicable procedural law.
Official legal resources
- Armed Forces Tribunal - Acts and Rules
- Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 - PDF hosted by the Armed Forces Tribunal
Related AFT Act provisions
For the appeal sequence, see Section 30 - Appeal to Supreme Court and Section 31 - Leave to appeal. The wider statutory structure is available on the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007 page.
This page is an informational presentation of Section 32. For an actual appeal or application for extension of time, the current statutory text, applicable Supreme Court Rules, Tribunal rules and binding judicial decisions should be checked.