Summarize the following court judgment. Civil Appeal No. 2630 of 1987. 516 From the Judgment and order dated 3.?.1986 of the Patna High Court in C.W.J.C. No. 2823 of 1986. R.N. Sinha	 M.M. Prasad Sinha and P.C. Kapur for the Appellant. B. Datta	 Additional Solicitor General	 M.S. Rao	 C. Ramesh and C.V.S. Rao for the Respondents. The Judgment of the Court was delivered by VENKATACHALIAH	 J. This appeal	 by special leave	 preferred against the order dated July 3	 1986	 of the Division Bench of the Patna High Court in C.W.J.C. No. 2823 of 1986 raises a substantial question as to the scope and content of the procedural safe guards in Section 130 of the Indian ( 'Act ') in the conduct of the Courts Martial. The High Court dismissed	 in limine	 the appellant 's writ petition	 under Article 226	 challenging the proceedings dated March 30	 1985	 of the Summary Court Martial imposing the punishment of dismissal from service and a sentence of an year 's rigorous imprisonment on the appellant. Appellant	 Ranjit Thakur	 joined the Armed Services on September 7	 1972	 and was	 at the relevant time	 a Signal Man in "4	 Corps operating Signal Regiment." Apparently	 appellant had not commended himself well to respondent No. 4	 who was the commanding officer of the regiment. On March 29	 1985	 appellant was already serving out a sentence of 28 days ' rigorous imprisonment imposed on him for violating the norms for presenting representations to higher officers. Appellant is stated to have sent representation complaining of ill treatment at the hands of Respondent 4 directly to the higher officers. Appellant was punished for that by Respondent 4. Appellant was held in the Quarter guard Cell in handcuffs to serve that sentence of rigorous imprisonment. While so serving the sentence appellant is stated to have committed another offence on March 29	 1985	 for which the punishment now impugned was handed down by Respondent 4. The nature of this offence had better be excerpted from the charge sheet itself: "The accused No. 1429055 M Signalman Ranjit Thakur of 517 4 Corps operating Signal Regiment is charged with Section 41(2) Disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer Section 41(2) In that he at 15.30 hrs. On 29.5.1985 when ordered by JC 10625 lP Sub Ram Singh	 the orderly officer of the same Regiment to eat his food	 did not do so. " To try this offence a Summary Court Martial was assembled the very next day i.e. March 30	 1985. Respondent 4 and 2 others were on the Court Martial. Some witnesses were examined. Appellant is stated to have pleaded guilty. A sentence of rigorous imprisonment for one year was imposed	 in pursuance of which appellant was removed immediately to the civil prison at Tejpur to serve out the sentence. Appellant has served out the sentence. He was also dismissed from service	 with the added disqualification of being declared unfit for any future civil employment. The representation of the appellant to the confirming authority under Section 164 of the was rejected by General of ficer Commanding on 24.5.1985. The High Court	 however	 persuaded itself to dismiss	 in limine	 appellant 's writ petition challenging the proceedings of the Summary Court Martial. We have heard learned counsel on both sides. The matter was adjourned on two earlier occasions on the submission of the learned Additional Solicitor General	 that the question whether a lesser punishment was warranted was engaging the attention of the appropriate authorities. Apparently	 nothing came out of it. F The submissions of Shri Sinha	 in support of the appeal	 admit of being formulated thus: (a) (i) The proceedings of the Court Martial are vitiated by non compliance with the mandate of Section 130(1) of the in that the Summary Court Martial did not afford to the appellant an opportunity to challenge its constitution as required by that section; (ii) The proceedings of the Court Martial were vitiated by bias on the part of Respondent 4 who participated in and dominated the proceedings; H 518 (b) In as much as the appellant was then serving a sentence of rigorous imprisonment	 he was not in "active service" and that no question of disobeying any lawful command could at all arise; (c) Appellant 's refusal	 while serving a sentence to accept food did not amount to disobedience	 under Section 41	 of any lawful command of a superior officer in such manner as to show a wilful defiance of authority; (d) At all events	 the punishment handed down is so disproportionate to the offence as to amount	 in itself to conclusive evidence of bias and vindictiveness. Re: contention (a): The records of the proceedings of the Special Summary Court Martial do not indicate that the procedural safeguard against bias contained in Section 130 of the was complied with. Section 130 provides: "130(1) At all trials by general district or summary general court martial	 as soon as the court is assembled	 the names of the presiding officer and members shall be read over to the accused	 who shall thereupon be asked whether he objects to being tried by any officer sitting on the court. (2)If the accused objects to any such officer	 his objection	 and also the reply thereto of the officer objected to	 shall be heard and recorded	 and the remaining officers of the Court shall	 in the absence of the challenged officer decide on the objection. " The proceedings do not indicate this was not disputed at the hearing that appellant was asked whether he objects to be tried by any officer	 sitting at the Court Martial. This	 in our opinion	 imparts a basic infirmity to the proceedings and militates against and detracts from the concept of a fair trial. The "" constitutes a special law in force conferring a special jurisdiction on the Court Martial prescribing a special procedure for the trial of the offences under the ' '. Chapter VI of the ' ' comprising of sections 34 to 68 specify and define the various offences under the ' '. Sections 7] to 89 of Chapter VII specify the various 519 punishments. Rules 106 to 133 of the Army Rules 1954 prescribe the procedure of	 and before	 the Summary Court Martial. The and A the Rules constitute a self contained Code	 specifying offences and the procedure for detention	 custody and trial of the offenders by the Courts Martial. The procedural safe guards contemplated in the must be considered in the context of and corresponding to the plenitude of the Summary jurisdiction of the Court Martial and the severity of the consequences that visit the person subject to that jurisdiction. The procedural safe guards should be commensurate with the sweep of the powers. The wider the power	 the greater the need for the restraint in its exercise and correspondingly	 more liberal the construction of the procedural safeguards envisaged by the Statute. The oft quoted words of Frankfurter	 J. in Vitarelli vs Seaton	 359 U.S.535 are again worth re calling; ". if dismissal from employment is based on a defined procedure	 even though generous beyond the requirements that bind such agency	 that procedure must be scrupulously observed . . . . . . . . This judicially evolved rule of administrative law is now firmly established and	 if I may add	 rightly so. He that takes the procedural sword shall perish with that sword. E "The history of liberty" said the same learned Judge "has largely been the history of observance of procedural safeguards. " ; We are afraid	 the non compliance of the mandate of section 130 is an infirmity which goes to the root of the jurisdiction and without more	 vitiates the proceedings. lndeed it has been so held by this Court in Prithvi Pal Singh vs Union of India	 AIR 1982 SC 1413 where Desai	 J referring to the purpose of section 130 observed: ". .Whenever an objection is taken it has to be recorded. In order to ensure that anyone objected to does not participate in disposing of the objection . . . . This is a mandatory requirement because the officer objected to cannot participate in the decision disposing of the objection. H 520 . . The provision conferring a right on the accused to object to a member of the Court Martial sitting as a member and participating in the trial ensures that a charge of bias can be made and investigated against individual members composing the Court Martial. This is pre eminently a rational provision which goes a long way to ensure a fair trial. " What emerges	 therefore	 is that in the present case there is a non compliance with the mandate of section 130 with the attendant consequence that the proceedings of the Summary Court Martial are rendered infirm in law. This disposes of the first limb of the contention (a). The second limb of the contention is as to the effect of the alleged bias on the part of respondent 4. The test of real likelihood of bias is whether a reasonable person	 in possession of relevant information	 would have thought that bias was likely and is whether respondent 4 was likely to be disposed to decide the matter only in a particular way. It is the essence of a judgment that it is made after due observance of the judicial process; that the Court or Tribunal passing it observes	 at least the minimal requirements of natural justice	 is composed of impartial persons acting fairly and without bias and in good faith. A judgment which is the result of bias or want of impartiality is a nullity and the trial "coram non judice". (See Vassiliadas vs Vassiliades AIR 7. As to the tests of the likelihood of bias what is relevant is the reasonableness of the apprehension in that regard in the mind of the party. The proper approach for the judge is not to look at his own mind and ask himself	 however	 honestly. "Am I biased? "but to look at the mind of the party before him. Lord Esher in Allinson vs General Council of Medical Education and Registration	 l at 758 said: "The question is not	 whether in fact he was or was not biased. The Court cannot inquire into that . . . . . In the administration of justice	 whether by a recognised legal court or by persons who	 although not a legal public court	 are acting in a similar capacity	 public 521 policy requires that	 in order that there should be no doubt about the purity of the administration any person who is to A take part in it should not be in such a position that he might be suspected of being biased. " In Metropolitan Properties Co. (F.G.C.) Ltd. vs Lannon	 ; 	 at 599	 Lord Denning M.R. Observed: B ". in considering whether there was a real likelihood of bias	 the court does not look at the mind of the justice himself or at the mind of the chairman of the tribunal	 or whoever it may be	 who sits in a judicial capacity. It does not look to see if there was a real likelihood that he would	 or did	 in fact favour one side at the expense of the other. The court looks at the impression which would be given to other people. Even if he was as impartial as could be never theless if right minded persons would think that in the circumstances there was a real likelihood of bias on his part	 then he should not sit . . ". D Frankfurter J in Public Utilities Commission of the District of Columbia vs Pollack ; at 466) said: "The judicial process demands that a judge move within the frame work of relevant legal rules and the court covenanted modes of thought for ascertaining them. He must think dispassionately and submerge private feeling on every aspect of a case. There is a good deal of shallow talk that the judicial robe does not change the man within it. It does. The fact is that on the whole judges do lay aside private views in discharging their judicial functions. This is achieved through training	 professional habits	 self discipline and that fortunate alchemy by which men are loyal to the obligation with which they are interested. But it is also true that reason cannot control the subconscious influence of feelings of which it is unaware. When there is ground for believing that such unconscious feelings may operate in the ultimate judgment or may not unfairly lead others to believe they are operating	 judges refuse themselves. They do not sit in judgment . ". Referring to the proper test	 Ackner LJ in Regina vs Liverpool City Justices	 Ex parte Topping [1983] I WLR 119 said: H 522 "Assuming therefore	 that the justices had applied the test advised by Mr. Pearson Do I feel prejudiced? then they would have applied the wrong test	 exercised their discretion on the wrong principle and the same result	 namely	 the quashing of the conviction would follow." Thus tested the conclusion becomes inescapable that	 having regard to the antecedent events	 the participation of Respondent 4 in the Courts Martial rendered the proceedings coram non judice. Re: contention (b): The mere circumstance that the appellant was	 at the relevant point of time	 serving a sentence of imprisonment and could not therefore	 be said to be in 'active service ' does not detract from the fact that he was still "a person subject to this . " This is clear from the second clause of Section 41(2) which refers to offences committed when not in 'active service '. The difference is in the lesser punishment contemplated. We are	 therefore	 unable to appreciate the appositeness of this contention of Shri Sinha. Re: contention (c): The submission that a disregard of an order to eat food does not by itself amount to a disobedience to a lawful command for purposes of section 41 has to be examined in the context of the imperatives of the high and rigorous discipline to be maintained in the Armed Forces. Every aspect of life of a soldier is regulated by discipline. Rejection of food might	 under circumstances	 amount to an indirect expression of remonstrance and resentment against the higher authority. To say that	 a mere refusal to eat food is an innocent	 neutral act might be an over simplification of the matter. Mere in action need not always necessarily be neutral. Serious acts of calumny could be done in silence. A disregard of a direction to accept food might assume the complexion of disrespect to	 and even defiance of authority. But an unduly harsh and cruel reaction to the expression of the injured feelings may be counter productive and even by itself be subversive of discipline. Appellant was perhaps expressing his anguish at	 what he considered	 an unjust and disproportionate punishment for airing his grievances before his superior officers. However	 it is not necessary in this case to decide contention (c) in view of our finding on the other contentions. Re: contention (d): Judicial review generally speaking	 is not directed against a decision	 but is directed against the "decision making process". The question of the choice and quantum of punishment is within the jurisdiction and discretion of the Court Martial. But the 523 sentence has to suit the offence and the offender. It should not be A vindictive or unduly harsh. It should not be so disproportionate to the offence as to shock the conscience and amount in itself to conclusive evidence of bias. The doctrine of proportionality	 as part of the concept of judicial review	 would ensure that even on an aspect which is	 otherwise	 within the exclusive province of the Court Martial	 if the decision of the Court even as to sentence is an outrageous defiance of B logic	 then the sentence would not be immune from correction. Irrationality and perversity are recognised grounds of judicial review. In Council of Civil Service Unions vs Minister for the Civil Service	 [1984] 3 Weekly Law Reports 1174 (HL) Lord Deplock said: ". Judicial Review has I think developed to a stage today when without reiterating any analysis of the steps by which the development has come about	 one can conveniently classify under three heads the grounds upon which administrative action is subject to control by judicial review. The first ground l would call 'illegality '. the second irrationality ' and the third 'procedural impropriety '. That is not to say that further development on a case by case basis may not in course of time add further grounds. I have in mind particularly the possible adoption in the future of the principle of 'proportionality ' which is recognised in the administrative law of several of our fellow members of the European Economic Community . . . . . E In BhagatRam vs State of Himachal Pradesh	 A.I.R. 1983 SC 454 this Court held: "It is equally true that the penalty imposed must be commensurate with the gravity of the misconduct and that any penalty disproportionate to the gravity of the misconduct would be violative of Article 14 of the Constitution. The point to note	 and emphasise is that all powers have legal limits. In the present case the punishment is so strikingly disproportionate as to call for and justify interference. It cannot be allowed to remain uncorrected in judicial review. In the result	 for the foregoing reasons	 the appeal is allowed	 the order of the High Court set aside	 the writ petition preferred in the High Court allowed and the impugned proceedings of the 524 Summary Court Martial dated March 30	 1985	 and the consequent order and sentence are quashed. The appellant is entitled to and shall be reinstated with all monetary and service benefits. There will	 however	 be no order as to costs. N.P.V. Appeal allowed.

% The appellant	 a Signal Man in a Signal Regiment of the Armed Services	 while serving out a sentence of 28 days ' rigorous imprisonment imposed on him by the Commanding officer of the Regiment respondent No. 4	 for violating norms for presenting representations to higher officers	 was alleged to have committed another offence by refusing to eat his food on March 29	 1985 when ordered to do so. He was charged under section 41(2) of the for disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer. A sentence of rigorous imprisonment for one year was imposed by a Summary Court Martial consisting of respondent No. 4 and others. He was removed to the civil prison and he served out the sentence. The appellant 's representation to the confirming authority under section 164 of the Act was rejected by the General officer Commanding on May 24	1985. The appellant 's writ petition challenging proceedings of the Summary Court Martial was dismissed in limine by the High Court. 513 In the appeal by special leave	 it was contended on behalf of the appellant that the proceedings of the Court Martial were vitiated (i) by a non affording of an opportunity to challenge the constitution of the Summary Court Martial under section 130(1); (ii) by bias on the part of the respondent No. 4 who participated in and dominated the proceedings; (iii) by awarding a punishment so disproportionate to the offence as to amount in itself to conclusive evidence of bias and vindictiveness; and (iv) by ignoring that as the appellant was then serving out an earlier sentence he could not be need to be in active service so as to be amenable to disciplinary jurisdiction and that the appellant 's refusal	 while already serving a sentence	 to accept food did not amount to disobedience under section 41	 of any lawful command of a Superior officer. Allowing the appeal	 ^ HELD: 1.1 The Indian constitutes a special law in force conferring a special jurisdiction on. the Court Martial prescribing a special procedure for the trial of the offences under the Act. The Act and Rules constitute a self contained Code specifying offences and the procedure for detention	 custody and trial of the offenders by the Court Martial. [518G H; 519A] 1.2 The procedural safeguards contemplated in the Act must be considered in the context of and corresponding to the plenitude of the Summary jurisdiction of the Court Martial and the severity of the consequences that visit the person subject to that jurisdiction. The procedural safeguards should be commensurate with the sweep of the powers. The wider the power	 the greater the need for the restraint in its exercise ad correspondingly	 more liberal the construction of the procedural safeguards envisaged by the Statute. [519B C I 1.3 Non compliance with the mandate of section 130 is an infirmity which goes to the root of jurisdiction and without more	 vitiates the proceedings. [519F] Prithvi Pal Singh vs Union of India	 AIR 1982 SC 1413 relied on. Vitarelli vs Seaton	 ; referred to. 514 2.1 It is the essence of a judgment that it is made after due observance of the judicial process; that the Court or Tribunal passing it observes	 at least the minimal requirements of natural justice	 is composed of impartial persons. acting fairly and without bias and in good faith. A judgment which is the result of bias or want of impartiality is a nullity and the trial 'coram non judice '. [520D E] Vassiliades vs Vassiliades	 AIR 1945 PC 38 referred to. 2.2 As to the tests of the likelihood of bias what is relevant is the reasonableness of the apprehension in that regard in the mind of the party. The proper approach for the Judge is not to look at his own mind and ask himself	 however	 honestly	 "Am I biased"? but to look at the mind of the party before him. [520F] Allinson vs General Council of Medical Education and Registration	 at 758; Metropolitan Properties Co. (F.G.C.) Ltd. vs Lannon	 ; d 599; Public Utilities Commission of the District of Columbia vs Pollack	 ; at 466 and Regina vs Liverpool City Justices	 Ex parte Topping	 referred to. Having regard to the antecedent events	 the participation of respondent No. 4 in the Courts Martial rendered the proceedings Coram non judice. [522B] 3. The mere circumstance 'that the appellant was at the relevant point of time	 serving a sentence of imprisonment and could not	 therefore	 be said to be in 'active service ' does not detract from the fact that he was still a person subject to the Act	 as is clear from the second clause of section 41(2) which refers to offences committed when not in 'active service '	 the difference being in the lesser punishment contemplated. [522C D] 4. Every aspect of life of a soldier is regulated by discipline. Rejection of food might	 under circumstances	 amount to an indirect expression of remonstrance and resentment against the higher authority. To say that a mere refusal to eat food is an innocent	 neutral act might be an over simplification of the matter. Mere in action need not always necessarily be neutral. Serious acts of calumny could be done in silence. A disregard of a direction to accept food might assume the 515 complexion of disrespect to	 and even defiance of authority. But an unduly harsh and cruel reaction to the expression of the injured feelings may he counter productive and even by itself be subversive of discipline. [522E F] In the instant case	 appellant was perhaps expressing his anguish at	 what he considered	 an unjust and disproportionate punishment for airing his grievances before his superior officers. [522G] 5. Judicial review generally speaking	 is not directed against a decision	 but is directed against the "decision making process". The question of the choice and quantum of punishment is within the jurisdiction and discretion of the Court Martial. But the sentence has to suit the offence and the offender. It should not be vindictive or unduly harsh. It should not be so disproportionate to the offence as to shock the conscience and amount in itself to conclusive evidence of bias. The doctrine of proportionality	 as part of the concept of judicial review	 would ensure that even on an aspect which is	 otherwise	 within the exclusive province of the Court Martial	 if the decision of the Court even as to sentence is an outrageous defiance of logic	 then the sentence would not be immune from correction. Irrationality and perversity are recognised grounds of judicial review. All powers have legal limits. [522G H; 523A C] Council of Civil Service Unions vs Minister for the Civil Service	 [1984] 3 Weekly Law Reports 1174 HL and Bhagat Ram vs State of Himachal Pradesh	 A.I.R. 1983 SC 454 referred to. In the instant case	 the punishment is so strikingly disproportionate as to call for and justify interference. [523G] The Court order set aside. The writ petition in the High Court allowed	 and the impugned proceedings of Summary Court Martial and the consequent order and sentence quashed. Appellant entitled to be reinstated with all monetary and service benefits. [523H	 524A] (Note: on point 1.3 the finding is to be read with and subject to the subsequent order dated 10.8.88).