The field is based upon official Acts of the Indian government, plus a number of unofficial writings on theoretical applications of law and how it may be changed.
Military law provisions govern the role of the Indian Army during peace and war formulated in the form of Statutes, Rules and Regulations.
Another significant but obscure provision is Notes to Indian Military and Air Force Law, commonly referred as NMAFL.
This was done with a view to make the officers study and assimilate relevant legal provisions necessary for enforcement of a disciplinary code amongst the men under their command.
Infrequent actions were also taken to bring out precise and other publications at command and corps level for dissemination of military law.
The author in his preface clarified the object of his work was to supply what is believed to be a want by supplementing for India the Manual of Military Law, first published by the War Office in England in 1899.
Court Martials in India[2] was authored by Major LM Peet, officiating Assistant Judge Advocate General, Eastern Command.
The author had declared in the preface that he was induced to write the book driven by the extreme need and usefulness of a military handbook.
The book's nine chapters dealt with military law enforcement provisions, evidence, duties in aid of the civil power and lastly National Cadet Corps Act and Rules.
A notable feature of the book was its coverage of the provisions concerning defence of mechanical transport drivers in claims for damages arising out of accidents.
The publication was a scholarly work of merit and made a definite contribution to the knowledge of the law relating to the armed forces.
The author claimed that the publication should serve as a help book to find the solution of confronting problems without going into the voluminous source material.
Regimental Officer's Handbook on Military Law (Questions & Answers) was an invaluable book authored by Brig.
The author in his preface had pointed out that the object of the book was to make readily available to regimental officer's answers to such practical problems which they have to tackle during the course of their duties in the units and on the staff.
Hira, Adjutant General in his foreword to the first edition had hoped that the publication would be useful to officers preparing for promotion and DSSC entrance examination.
The main utility of Study and Practice of Military Law[11] by Col. G.K. Sharma, first published in 1988, was for assisting regimental officers in dealing with disciplinary cases.
Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw in his foreword to the book wrote, "I am sure that their (authors) efforts would be of immense use not only to those in the legal profession but to the staff officers in the Army units and formations as we.
Obheroi claimed that this was the only book which explains how to refer to MML and RA in order to extract the correct answers, with practical examples.
It is now a bi-annual journal brought out by the Institute of Military Law, in Kamptee, Nagpur, as a priced publication bearing ISIN no.
With its maiden appearance in 1996, the Military Law Journal carries complete text of relevant judgments of the Supreme Court.
Suitably divided in 10 chapters, the text dealt with pre- and post-independent eras, revision of publications, legal cells, origin of Corps Day and Institute of Military Law.
Military Law Handbook for Commanders[17] was published in 2001 with a firm belief of the author that sound administration and personnel management calls for due emphasis on fair play, adherence to laid down norms and humane treatment of the subordinates.
The case studies compiled in the book were intended to help commanders by drawing suitable lessons by way of an opportunity to carry out a critical analysis of actual situations.
A review of the book in USI Journal hailed it as a "valuable contribution for proper understanding of the subject through live case studies.
It was an exercise to analyse critical areas showing crucial deficiencies in the existing legal procedures as noted from academic scrutiny and actual application.
The voluminous work – spread over 30 chapters – was meant to assist the practitioners of military law by providing them with a ready reckoner to deal with writ petitions.
The book was divided into portions dealing with reminiscences; izzat, honour and ethics; courts martial; litigation; law of war, gender justice and human rights, legal training, media and other issues, recollections from the past; Armed Forces Tribunal, reforms in military law; empowerment; and way ahead.
The contributors to the book were some of the well known experts on military and legal issues, including Lt. Gen. V. R. Raghavan, Justice DP Wadhwa formerly of the Supreme Court, Dr. Manoj Kumar Sinha, Dr. Manish Arora, Dr. Shyamlha Pappu, Maj. Gen. V. K. Singh, SV Thapliyal, AB Gorthi, Maria Teresa Dutli, Krister Thelin, KPD Samanta, Diane Guillemette, Dr. N.M. Ghatate, and Pravin H. Parekh.
Jha was claimed by the author to have been written with an aim to serve as a ready reference for the officers of the Indian Army who would like to know something about their legal rights and responsibilities.
The text drew heavily on the responses of 200 military and civilian personnel to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the court martial process.