s 62 Charges and jurisdiction
62.—(1) Before an allegation against any person subject to military law (called in this Act the accused) that the person has committed an offence under this Act is further proceeded with, the allegation must —(a) be reported in the form of a charge to a disciplinary officer and dealt with in accordance with the provisions of this Part; or (b) be referred to an authorised composition officer for composition of the offence under section 79A.[Act 24 of 2022 wef 28/10/2022] (2) If the accused is an officer of the rank of colonel, or a senior military expert of the rank of ME7, the charge must, within such time as may be specified in any regulations made under this Act, be brought before the Chief of Defence Force.[28/2009] (3) If the accused is an officer of the rank of lieutenant‑colonel or senior lieutenant‑colonel, or a senior military expert of the rank of ME6, the charge must, within such time as may be specified in any regulations made under this Act, be brought before any Service Chief.[28/2009] (4) If the accused is an officer below the rank of lieutenant‑colonel, or a senior military expert below the rank of ME6, the charge must, within such time as may be specified in any regulations made under this Act, be brought before a superior commander at least 2 ranks above him.[28/2009] (5) If the accused is a warrant officer or a military expert of the rank of ME3, the charge must, within such time as may be specified in any regulations made under this Act be brought before a superior commander.[28/2009] (6) If the accused is a soldier below the rank of warrant officer or ME3, the charge must, within such time as may be specified in any regulations made under this Act, be brought before a junior disciplinary officer.[28/2009] (7) A disciplinary officer other than a Service Chief or the Chief of Defence Force may try an accused only when —(a) the accused and the disciplinary officer belong to the same detachment, unit, formation or command; or (b) the Armed Forces Council has vested the disciplinary officer with the powers of a senior disciplinary officer or a superior commander or a senior disciplinary officer has vested the disciplinary officer with the powers of a junior disciplinary officer in respect of the accused.