Violation of good order and air force discipline
Section 65 of the Air Force Act, 1950 deals with violation of good order and air force discipline. Any person subject to this Act who is guilty of any act or omission which though not specified in this Act, is prejudicial to good order and air force discipline shall, on conviction by court-martial, be liable to suffer imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or such less punishment The Act came into force on 22 Jul 1950.
Any person subject to this Act who is guilty of any act or omission which though not specified in this Act, is prejudicial to good order and air force discipline shall, on conviction by court-martial, be liable to suffer imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
Section 65, The Air Force Act, 1950 (Act 45 of 1950).
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
-
Joseph Shine v. Union of India (clarification)
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
Joseph Shine striking down IPC 497 does not bar Armed Forces disciplinary action under Army Act ss.45/63 (and cognate Air Force provisions) for unbecoming conduct / good order; Art.33 places Forces in a distinct class. DATE VERIFIED Judgement 2023-01-31 (order-6.pdf).
On this section: Air Force good-order/discipline provision remains available after Joseph Shine clarification.
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Judgments citing this section
These may be obiter dicta or a precedent, for you to study. These are the judgments where this section is quoted.
-
… Under Section 40(a) Air Force Act, 1950 for using criminal force to his superior officer, in that he, at 405 Air Force Station between 2230 hrs and 2345 hrs on 22 May 2009 used criminal force to 672315 WO Agar Singh Eqpt Asst by pushing the said WO Agar Singh from back. 7. Under Section 65 Air Force Act, 1950 for an act prejudicial to good order and Air Force Discipline. In that he, at 405 Air Force Station during intervening night of 22 May 2009 and 23 May 2009, improperly provoked a group of Module-II trainees of intake 02/09 which assembled at Main Guard Room and who were shouting slogans such as …
Questions about Section 65
What have the courts held on Section 65 of the Air Force Act?
Joseph Shine v. Union of India (clarification) (31 Jan 2023) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Air Force good-order/discipline provision remains available after Joseph Shine clarification.
How do I find court cases under Section 65 of the Air Force Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Air Force Act 1950 65, section 65 Air Force Act 1950, section 65 of the Air Force Act. People searching for it also type section 65 of air force act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Joseph Shine v. Union of India (clarification) (31 Jan 2023).
When did Section 65 of the Air Force Act come into force?
Section 65 of the Air Force Act, cited as Air Force Act 1950 65, came into force on 22 Jul 1950, having been enacted on 18 May 1950. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 4. Definitions981 words
- 141. Presumption as to certain documents492 words
- 92. Deductions from pay and allowances of airmen414 words
- 91. Deductions from pay and allowances of officers414 words
- 34. Offences in relation to the enemy and punishable with death396 words
- 32. Priority in respect of Air Force personnel's litigation301 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 17 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.