Author: Nikhil Raghav, Student at Lloyd Law College, Greater Noida
ABSTRACT
When martial rule is declared, the military leader of a nation or territory has unrestricted ability to establish and execute laws. When civilian power has ceased to operate, is fully absent, or has proven ineffectual, martial law is appropriate. Martial law also halts all existing laws, civil authority, and the normal administration of justice. Martial law may be declared in the USA by the declaration of the President or the state governor, but such a formal declaration is not required. Though there is no particular provision in the United States Constitution permitting the implementation of martial rule, practically every state has a constitutional provision authorising the government to enforce martial law. The once-near-absolute power of martial law has restrictions; for example, civilians can’t be convicted by armed forces tribunals as long as civilian judicial systems are operating. Nonetheless, the power of a military leader under martial law is almost unrestricted within the limitations of judicial judgements. Since World War II, nine times martial rule has been imposed, five of which were to counteract Southern opposition to Federal desegregation rulings. Although an atmosphere of cooperation has always existed and ought to continue to prevail between forces and civilian law enforcement, Department of Defence employees are limited in their ability to execute civil law. Military personnel may not be utilised in surveillance or undercover operations, or as sources, detectives, or interrogators unless the inquiry is a combined army-civilian effort in which the military has a vested interest in the result of the case.
Apart from the Act’s declared goal of suppressing resistance movements, the oppressive Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 has criticised the existence of a terrible mixture of dictatorial political misconceptions, mistrust of the justice system, and circumstantial socio-political exigencies. The Act, which was first issued as an order in 1957 under extraordinary provisions of the Indian Constitution to deal with difficulties in the Union’s North Eastern area, has allowed troops remarkable freedom to conduct severe human rights violations.
This research paper discusses the provisions of martial laws in the United States of America. Further it also discussed about the draconian AFSPA Act and the case laws pertaining to the Afspa. Moreover, it discusses about coup d’état and the instances where the martial law was implemented.
Keywords: Coup D’Etat, Riot, Military, Emergency, Protest.
