Suresh and Anr v. Union of India and Anr

INoTHEoPUNJABoANDoHARYANAoHIGHoCOURToAToo CHANDIGARHo o 252o o o o o o o o o ooooCWP-305-2022o DateoofoDecision:o13.09.2023o o SURESHoANDoANR.o ...oPetitionerso VERSUSo UNIONoOFoINDIAoANDoANOTHERo ...oRespondentso CORAM:o HON'BLEoMR.oJUSTICEoVINODoS.oBHARDWAJ.o o Present:o Mr.oSushiloSheoran,oAdvocateo o forotheopetitioners.o o o Mr.oShivoyoDhir,oSr.oPaneloCounselo o fororespondentoNo.1-oUnionoofoIndia.o o o Mr.oPankajoMulwani,oDAG,oHaryana.o ****o VINODoS.oBHARDWAJ,oJ.o(ORAL)o o o Theo instanto petitiono raiseso challengeo too theo impugnedo orderso datedo17.08.2020,o26.02.2021oando13.08.2021o(AnnexuresoP-8,oP-9oandoP-11o respectively)o passedo byo respondento No.1o –o Uniono ofo India,o allegedlyo ino violationoofotheoSwatantrataoSainikoSammanoPensionoSchemeo1980oasowello asoinodisregardoofotheojudgmentodatedo04.03.2020o(AnnexureoP-6)opassedoino CWP-4420oofo2018oandoupheldobyotheoDivisionoBenchoinoLPAoNo.56oofo 2021ovideojudgmentodatedo01.03.2021.oAofurtheroprayerohasobeenomadeoforo issuanceoofodirectionsotootheorespondentoNo.1otoodeclareoHarphuloSingh,olateo fatheroofotheopetitionersoasoaofreedomofighteroandotooholdothatohisowidowo KamlaoDeviowasoentitledoforodependentoSwatantrataoSainikoSammanoPensiono (hereinafterotoobeoreferredotooaso'SSSoPension')oandothatotheoarrearsothato enuredoinotheirofavourobeoreleasedoalongwithointerest.oo CWP-305-2022o -2-o 2023:PHHC:122870 o o Brieflyo summarized,o theo factso ofo theo caseo areo thato theo petitioners,owhooareosuccessorsoofolateoHarphuloSingh,oandoSmt.oKamlaoDevio haveopreferredotheopresentopetitionoaverringothatoHarphuloSinghohadojoinedoaso aoSepoyobearingoNo.8676oinoFirstoBahawalpuroInfantryoandoservedoinotheo therstwhileoPunjaboRegiment.oHeowasoenrolledoono09 oMay,o1930oandowaso dischargedoono18.02.1946.oAsoperotheoDischargeoCertificateoissuedobyotheo respondents,otheoreasonoforodischargeowasoasounder:oo "Dischargeo fromo theo serviceo beingo ao membero ofo INAo video dischargeocertificateo"Grey"oasoperoArmoHQoListoSr.oNo.16."o o o o LateoHarphuloSinghohadoservedoinoBahawalpuroInfantryoundero theoPunjaboRegimentoforoaoperiodoofo15oyearsobeforeobeingodischargedoonotheo groundoofobeingomemberoofoINA,ohence,onoopensionowasograntedotoohim.o HarphuloSinghopassedoawayoono28.08.1992oleavingobehindohisowidowoKamlao Devi,o whoo hado appliedo foro serviceo particularso ofohero husband,o wheno sheo becameoawareoofotheofactothatotheoreasonobehindodischargeoofoherohusbando fromo serviceo waso hiso associationo witho theo INA.o Theo saido aspecto findso mentiono alsoo ino theo certificateo issuedo byo theo respondents-Authoritieso showingoparticularsoofotheodeceasedosoldier.oo o o Aftero obtainingo theo requisiteo documents,o Smt.o Kamlao Devio appliedo foro SSSo Pensiono througho theo Governmento ofo Haryana.o Theo documentsosubmittedobyolateomotheroofotheopetitionersohereinowereoverifiedo fromo theo Punjabo Regimento ando noo discrepancyo waso noticedo therein.o However,otheocaseoofotheopetitionerowasonotosentobyotheorespondents-Stateoofo HaryanaotootheoUnionoofoIndia.oInformationounderotheoRightotooInformationo Act,o2005owasothereafterosoughtofor,owhereinoitowasoinformedovideolettero datedo 27.08.2015o thato theo aboveo issueo iso pendingo considerationo witho theo CWP-305-2022o -3-o 2023:PHHC:122870 ProtocoloBranchosinceo22.10.2010oandothatotheoproceedingsowereoinitiatedo12o times.oItowasofurtherorespondedobyotheorespondentsoinoreplyotooquestionoNo.5o thatoonoverificationoofotheorecordosubmittedobyolateoKamlaoDevi,ofromotheo Punjabo Regiment,o PIN908761o C/oo 56o APO,o ito waso foundo thato deceasedo HarphuloSinghowasoaoSepoyoofotheoINA.oItowasoalsooapprisedothatoinosoofaroaso theopensionaryobenefitsounderotheoHSSSoPensionoisoconcerned,otheosameowaso pendingoforowantoofoconstitutionoofotheoHaryanaoSwatantrataoSainikoSammano Samitioandothatotheofinalodecisionoshallobeotakenouponoconstitutionoofotheosaido Samiti.oo o o Havingo waitedo foro sufficiento timeo too enableo theo respondent-Authoritiesotootakeoaodecision,oSmt.oKamlaoDevioapproachedothisoCourtobyo filingoCWPoNo.4420oofo2018oclaimingoreleaseoofotheosaidobenefitsounderotheo SSSopensionoscheme.oVariousoobjectionsowereoraisedobyotheoUnionoofoIndiao includingorelianceoonotheorevisedoguidelinesodatedo06.08.2014owhichowereo supportedoalsoobyotheoStateoofoHaryana.oOtherosimilaropetitionsohadoalsoobeeno preferredobyosimilarlyoplacedopersonobeforeothisoCourt.oTheosaidocasesowereo decidedobyoaocommonoorder/judgmentodatedo04.03.2020opassedoinoCWP-1554oofo2018otitledoaso'Smt.oChandoKauroVs.oSecretary,oMinistryoofoHomeo Affairsoandoothers'.oAsotheocaseoofooneoChandoKaurohadoearlierobeenodeclinedo byotheorespondentsovideoorderodatedo23.12.2017,othisoCourtoinoitsojudgmento datedo 04.03.2020o seto asideo theo impugnedo ordero thereino ando directedo theo respondentoNo.3othereinotooforwardotheoapplicationoofoChandoKaur,owithoitso reportoforograntoofopensionoasoaodependentoofotheodeceasedofreedomofighter,o undero theo schemeo too respondent-Uniono ofo Indiao withino ao periodo ofo fouro weeks.oTheorespondent-UnionoofoIndiaowasofurtherodirectedotooconsideroando CWP-305-2022o -4-o 2023:PHHC:122870 decideotheoapplicationoreceivedofromotheoStateoofoHaryanaowithinoaofurthero periodo ofo fouro weekso ando too thereaftero granto pension,o ifo theo petitionero (therein)o(ChandoKaur)owasofoundoeligibleoandoentitledoalongwithoalloarrearso withointeresto@o9%operoannum.oTheooperativeopartoofotheosaidojudgmentoino CWP-1554oofo2018oreadsothus:oo o "Aso ao result,o impugnedo ordero datedo 23.12.2017o (Annexureo P-9)o passedo byo respondento No.3o iso seto aside.o Ao directiono iso issuedo too respondento No.3o too forwardo theo applicationoofotheopetitionerowithoitsoreportoforograntoofopensiono aso ao dependento ofo theo deceasedo freedomo fightero undero theo Schemeo too respondentso No.1o ando 2o withino ao periodo ofo fouro weeksofromotheodateooforeceiptoofocertifiedocopyoofothisoorder.o Consideringotheofactothatotheopetitioneroisoalreadyomoreothano80o yearsoofoage,orespondentoNo.1oando2oareodirectedotooconsidero andodecideotheoapplicationosooreceivedofromorespondentoNo.3o withinoaoperiodoofofouroweeksothereafteroandograntotheopension,o ifotheopetitioneroisofoundoeligibleoandoentitledothereto,ofromotheo dateoofosubmissionoofotheoapplicationowithoarrearsoalongowitho interesto@o9%operoannum."o o o o o o TheopetitionobearingoNo.4420oofo2018ofiledobyoKamlaoDevio–o (mothero ofo theo petitionerso herein)o waso alsoo disposedo ofo ino termso ofo theo aforesaidojudgment,ovideoorderodatedo04.03.2020.oo o o Notwithstandingotheosaidojudgment,otheorespondentsofailedotoo complyo witho theo sameo whereupono Smt.o Kamlao Devi-o mothero ofo theo petitionersohereinopreferredoCOCP-1399oofo2020oono21.07.2020.oo o o ReplyobyowayoofoanoaffidavitowasofiledobyotheoChiefoSecretary,o GovernmentoofoHaryana,owhereinoitowasoadmittedothatoHarphuloSinghowaso dischargedofromoserviceodueotoobeingomemberoofotheoINAoandothatohisowidowo Smt.o Kamlao Devio (sinceo deceased)o waso eligibleo foro dependento freedomo CWP-305-2022o -5-o 2023:PHHC:122870 fighteropensionoandothatotheoGovernmentoofoHaryanaohadosentoallotheoverifiedo documentsoalongwithotheoreportotootheoGovernmentoofoIndiaoforoitsodecision.o ReferenceowasoagainomadeotootheoDischargeoCertificateoofoHarphuloSingh.oo o o oTheorespondent-UnionoofoIndia,ohowever,orejectedotheoclaimo foro granto ofo dependento freedomo fightero pensiono too Smt.o Kamlao Devio ono

17.08.2020o ono theo groundo thato ino theo Dischargeo Certificateo ofo Harphulo Singh,othereoisonooreferenceoofoanyojailosuffering.oTheorelevantoextractoofotheo saidoorderopassedobyotheorespondentoUOIoisoasounder:o "6.o Aftero goingo througho theo recordso ofo theo case,o ito iso apparentothatotheoinstantoclaimoforograntoofoSSSopensionohaso beenopreferredoonotheobasisoofoclaimedoparticipationoinotheoINA,o however,otheodocumentsorelatedotoojailoimprisonmentoofoyouro husbando haveo noto beeno submittedo aso requiredo undero theo provisionsoofoSSSoYojana.oTherefore,oyouoareonotoeligibleoforo theobenefitoofoSSSoYojana.oAsoregardotheoServiceocertificateoiso concerned,o theo saido certificateo doeso noto establisho theo jailo sufferingsoofoyourohusband,oifoany.oo

7.o Inoviewoofoaboveomentionedofactsoandocircumstancesoofo theocase,oprovisionsoofoSSSoYojanaoandoavailableodocumentsoono record,o youro claimo doesonoto meeto theo eligibilityo criteriaoando evidentiaryo requirementso ofo theo Swatantratao Sainiko Sammano Yojanaoandoyouohaveonotobeenofoundoeligibleoforotheograntoofo freedomofighteropensionoinonameoofoyourohusbandounderoSSSo Yojana.o Therefore,o youro claimo foro granto ofo freedomo fightero pensionounderotheoprovisionsoofoSSSoYojanaoisoherebyorejected."o o o o Theo aforesaido ordero waso broughto too theo noticeo ofo Contempto Bench,owhereoCOCP-1399oofo2020owasopending.oHowever,otheoContempto Bencho dido noto primao facieo feelo satisfiedo witho theo ordero passedo byo theo respondent-UnionoofoIndia,owhereuponoUnionoofoIndiaofiledoLPAoNo.56oofo CWP-305-2022o -6-o 2023:PHHC:122870 2021oono10.02.2021ochallengingotheojudgmentodatedo04.03.2020opassedobyo theoSingleoBenchoinotheocaseoofoKamlaoDevi-motheroofotheopetitionersoherein.o o o ItoisoaverredothatoevenotheoHon'bleoDivisionoBench,oseizedoofo theo LPA,o dido noto exo facieo agreeo too theo abovesaido ordero passedo byo theo respondentsoandoorallyoinformedotheorespondent-UnionoofoIndiaotoopassoao fresho ordero ino accordanceo witho theo schemeo documents.o Theo aforesaido observationoofotheoHon'bleoDivisionoBenchowasoconveyedobyotheocounselo representingoUnionoofoIndiaotootheoDepartment.o o o Ino furtheranceo too theo aforesaido communicationo ando whileo referringotootheocommunicationoreceivedofromotheocounselorepresentingotheo Uniono ofo India,o theo respondentso passedo ao fresho ordero datedo 26.02.2021o rejectingotheoclaimoonceoagainoandoforotheosameoreason.oTheoextractoofotheo saidoorderodatedo26.02.2021oisoreproducedohereinafterobelow:o "8.o Aftero takingo intoo considerationo ofo entireo recordso onceo again,o ito iso evidento thato theo instanto claimo foro granto ofo SSSo pensiono haso beeno preferredo ono theo basiso ofo claimedo participationoinotheoINAobutoneitheroanyodocumentoregardingo jailo sufferingo haso beeno producedo noto anyo othero evidentiaryo documentoasorequiredotooconsideroaoclaimounderoSSSoYojanao haveobeenosubmittedoasomentionedohereinabove.oTherefore,otheo claimo doeso noto foundo admissible/satisfyingo theo laido downo criteriaoofoSSSoYojana.o

9.o Ino viewo ofo aboveo foregoingo facts,o provisionso ofo SSSo Yojanaoandodocumentsoavailableoonorecord,oyouroclaimoisonoto foundo too beo meetingo theo eligibilityo criteriao ando evidentiaryo requirementsoofo theoSwatantratao SainikoSammanoYojanao ando thusoyouohaveonotobeenofoundoeligibleoforotheograntoofofreedomo fighterodependentopensionoinonameoofoyourohusbandounderoSSSo Yojana.o Therefore,o youro claimo foro granto ofo freedomo fightero CWP-305-2022o -7-o 2023:PHHC:122870 dependento pensiono cannoto beo accededo too undero SSSo Yojanao beingodevoidoofomerits."o o o o o o TheoLPAoNo.o56/2021opreferredobyorespondent-UnionoofoIndiao inotheocaseoofoKamlaoDeviosupraowasodismissedobyotheoDivisionoBenchovideo itsoorderodatedo01.03.2021obyospecificallyoreferringoasounder:o "Weohaveoheardolearnedocounseloforotheopartiesoatolengtho andoappreciatedotheorecordsomadeoavailable.oo o ItoisoapparentofromotheoSheetoRolloforocombatantsodatedo

14.09.1968oannexedoasoAnnexureoP-1oalongowithotheopetitiono thato theo lateo husbando ofo respondento no.1/petitionero waso enrolledo ino theo Armyo ono 09.05.1930o ando waso dischargedo ono

18.02.1946.oTheoreasonoforodischargeohasobeenomentionedoasoheo waso ao membero ofo theo INA.o Ito iso alsoo wortho mentioningo theo contentsoofotheocounteroaffidavitofiledobyoSh.oTilakoRaj,oUndero SecretaryotootheoGovt.oofoIndiaodatedo21.6.2018oonobehalfoofo UnionoofoIndia,owhichoareoasounder:-oo

(iv)oo ThatoasoperotheoschemeotheoINAocomprisedoofo(1)o personnelowhoojoinedoINAofromotheothenoBritishoIndiano ArmyocalledoMilitaryoCategoryoando(2)othoseowhoowereo recruitedo ino theo INAo Locallyo calledo civiliano category.o AfterotheodefeatoofoJapanotheoalliedoBritishoForcesotooko overotheocampsowhereoINAopersonnelowereostationedoino theocampsosegregationotookoplace.oThoseowhoohadojoinedo INAofromoBritishoIndianoArmyowereotakenoprisonersoaso theyo hado actedo againsto theiro oatho ofo allegianceo too theo BritishoCrown.oButotheocivilianocategoryoofoINAohadonoto takeno sucho ano oatho ofo allegianceo too theo British.o Theyo wereonotoformallyotriedobyoanyocourtoinoGeneral.oo

(v)oo Thato theo caseo ofo militaryo caseso areo decidedo normallyo ono theo basiso ofo documentaryo evidenceo fromo officialorecordsoavailableowith/issuedobyotheoconcernedo Britisho Indiano Army/Indiano Armyo authority.o Caseso ofo CWP-305-2022o -8-o 2023:PHHC:122870 civilianocategoryoofoex-INAoareodecidedointeroaliaotakingo intoo considerationo secondaryo evidenceo i.e.o co-prisonero certificateso(CPC)ofromorenownedofreedomofightersowhoo themselveso(i)ohasoundergoneoimprisonmentoforonotolesso thanooneoyearoinoconnectionowithotheofreedomostruggleo ando remainedo ino jailo witho theo claimanto ando (ii)o areo recipientso ofo pensiono fromo theo Centralo Revenue.o Ino additionotheyomayosubmitootherocorroborativeodocumentso likeo movemento order/certificateo issuedo byo INAo inquiryo andoreliefocommittee,oRepatriationoCertificateoetc.oo o Aoperusaloofotheoaforementionedoprovisionsocategoricallyo revealsothatotheohusbandoofotheopetitionerowasoinoMilitaryoforo abouto15oyearsoandothusohisocaseowasotoobeodecidedoonotheobasiso ofodocumentaryoevidenceofromotheoofficialorecordoavailableoando henceo theo sameo couldo noto beo mixedo upo witho theo civiliano categoryo ofo ex-INAo whicho areo decidedo intero aliao takingo intoo considerationotheosecondaryoevidence.oDespiteothisotheocaseoofo theopetitionerohasonotobeenodecidedoforotheoreasonsobestoknowno tootheoappellant/respondents.o Inotheototalityoofotheofactsoandocircumstancesoofotheocase,o weofindoourselvesototallyoinoagreementowithotheofindingsoofotheo learnedoSingleoJudgeoandohenceoupholdotheosame.oTheoappealo beingodevoidoofoanyomeritoisoherebyodismissed."o o o o TheoLPAsoagainstotheootheromattersoarisingofromotheojudgmento inoChandoKaur'socaseosupraowereoalsoodismissedobyotheoDivisionoBench,o however,oreferenceoofotheosaidofreshospeakingoorderodatedo26.02.2021odoeso notofindomentionoinotheoLPAopreferredobyorespondent-UnionoofoIndiaoinotheo caseoofoKamlaoDevi,owhereasosuchoreferenceoisodulyomentionedoinotheoLPAo No.60oofo2021oarisingooutotheowritopetitionopreferredobyoChandoKaur.oAso subsequentoorderopassedobyorespondentsowasomentionedoinoLPAoNo.o60oofo 2021owhileodismissingotheoLPA,otheorespondentsoimplementedotheoorder.o CWP-305-2022o -9-o 2023:PHHC:122870 o o Smt.oKamlaoDeviopassedoawayoono02.06.2021oi.e.oduringotheo pendencyoofotheoCOCPoNo.1399oofo2020.oTheocontemptopetitionoNo.1399oofo 2020o waso finallyo disposedo ofo byo thiso Courtovideo orderodatedo 06.12.2021o grantingo ano opportunityo too theo heirso ofo Smt.o Kamlao Devio too assailo theo impugnedoorderodatedo13.08.2021o(AnnexureoP-11).oItowasofurtheroaverredo claimowasorejectedowronglyoandonotwithstandingothatotheoeligibilityocriteriao wasofullyometowithobyotheomotheroofotheopetitionersoandothatoherocaseowasoato parowithothatoofoSmt.oChandoKaur,otoowhomotheobenefitoofoSSSoPensionohado beenorestored.oTheorelevantoextractoofotheoorderodatedo13.08.2021o(Annexureo P-11)owherebyotheoclaimoofotheomotheroofotheopetitionersowasorejectedoonceo againoisoreproducedoasounder:o "XXXXXXoXXXXXXo XXXXXXo c)o Further,ouponoexaminationoofotheorecordoinotheolightoofo Annexureo P-2o ofo theo Swatantratao Sainiko Sammano Pensiono Scheme,o 1980,o whicho provideso theo eligibilityo conditionso ando evidentiaryo requirement4so foro beingo eligibleoforopension,oitohasobeenoconcludedothatotheosaido letterodatedo28.10.2014oisonotoaoDischargeoCertificateoofo theoyourohusbandobutoapparentlyoisoissuedobyotheoArmyo Recordso officeo ofo Punjabo Regimento foro someo othero purpose/ArmyoServiceobenefitsoInothatoletteroalso,owordo 'discharge'o iso usedo withouto qualifyingo theo reasonso foro suchodischargeo d)oo TheoopeningolineoSSSoSchemeo1980,oclearlyoclarifiesothato allo theo personso whoo participatedo ino theo freedomo movementoinosomeowayoorotheootheroareonotoeligibleoforo SammanoPension.oItohasobeenonotedofromotheodocumentso furnishedo includingo theo documentso thato mentiono hiso militaryoserviceoinotheoPunjaboregimentoasoaomemberoofo CWP-305-2022o -10-o 2023:PHHC:122870 INAo ando beingo dischargedo doo noto pointo too anyo ofo theo sufferingosuchoasoimprisonmentooroundergroundosufferingo interment/o externment,o losso incapacitation,o dismissal/removaloetc.o e)oo Itoisotherefore,oreiteratedothatomereoparticipationoinoINAo orobeingoaomemberoofoINAoisonotoaocriteriaoforograntoofo SSSopensionobyoCentraloGovernmento o

2.o Inoviewoofotheoaboveomentionedofactsoandocircumstanceso ofotheocaseoandoprovisionsoofoSSSoYojanaoasodescribedoinotheo aforesaidoparagraphs,oandoinocomplianceoofoorderoofotheosingleo bencho passedo ino CWPo 4420/2018o datedo 04.03.2020o thiso Ministryoconsidersothatoyourocaseoisonotofoundotoobeomeetingotheo eligibilityo criteriao ando evidentiaryo requirementso ofo theo Swatantratao Sainiko Sammano Yojanao ando youo haveo noto beeno foundo eligibleo foro theo granto ofo freedomo fightero dependento pensionoinonameoofoyourohusbandounderoSSSoYojanaoTherefore,o youro claimo foro granto ofo freedomo fightero dependento pensiono cannoto beo accededo too undero SSSo Yojana,o beingo devoido ofo merit."o o o o Aggrievedothereofotheopresentopetitionohasobeenopreferredobyotheo petitionersoassailingoallotheothreeoordersopassedobyotheorespondent-Unionoofo India.o o o Ao writteno statemento ono behalfo ofo respondento No.2o hado beeno filedo byo theo Principalo Secretaryo too theo Governmento ofo Haryana,o Generalo Administrationo Departmento reiteratingo Clauseo 1.5o ofo theo revisedo Policy/GuidelinesoofotheoSSSoPensionoSchemeoofotheoCentraloGovernmentoino theoHomeoMinistry,ocirculatedoono06.08.2014,otoocontendothatoSmt.oKamlao Deviowasonotoeligibleoforotheopensionoinotermsothereof.oItowasofurtheroaverredo thatolateoHarphuloSinghohadonotoappliedoforopensionoduringohisolifeotimeoando CWP-305-2022o -11-o 2023:PHHC:122870 evenouptillohisodateoofodeathoono28.08.1992.oTheoapplicationowasosubmittedo ino2013oafteroaogapoofonearlyo21oyearsofromotheodateoofodeathoofoherohusband.o Noo explanationo haso beeno giveno foro sucho inordinateo delayo ino filingo theo application/representationoclaimingotheobenefit.oTheopensionoschemeohavingo beeno introducedo aso ao welfareo measureo ando too recognizeo theo valuableo sacrificesomadeobyotheofreedomofighters,oitodoesonotoconferoanyorightoonotheo claimantoandothatotheotermsoandoconditionsoasoincorporatedoinotheopensiono schemeo includingo theo prescribedo timeo scheduleo foro submissiono ofo application/representationoisosacrosanct.oAnyoapplicationonotoreceivedoinotheo prescribedoformatoand/orowithinotheocutooffotimeoprescribedothereinoisoliableo toobeorejectedoonotheosaidoscoreoalone.oo o o AocounteroaffidavitobyoUnderoSecretary,oGovernmentoofoIndiao hadoalsoobeenofiledoonobehalfooforespondentoNo.1.oTheorespondentsodoonoto disputeotheofactsonoticedoaboveoasowelloasotheojudgmentsopassedobyothisoCourto inotheowritopetition;oLPAoasowelloasoinotheocontemptopetition.oItois,ohowever,o contendedothatotheocaseoofoKamlaoDevioandothereafterobyotheopetitionersohado beeno consideredo byo theo respondentso ono multipleo occasionso ando thato theo followingodeficiencies/shortcomingsowereoobserved:o "(i)o Anyo claimo ofo SSSo pensiono haso too beo fulfilledo theo governingo criteriao ofo SSSo Yojanao aso framedo byo theo Centralo GovernmentotooregulateotheoScheme.oAsoperoparao2.1o(a)oofoofo SSSoPensionoScheme,oimprisonment/detentionocertificateofromo theo concernedo jailo authority,o Districto Magistrateo oro Stateo Governmentoindicatingotheoperiodoofosentenceoawarded,odateoofo admission,odateooforelease,ofactsoofotheocaseoandoreasonsoforo releaseo shouldo beo furnished.o Whereaso ino theo certificateo ofo serviceoasoproducedobyotheoPetitioner,othereoisoalsoonooevidenceo CWP-305-2022o -12-o 2023:PHHC:122870 ofojailosufferingsoisomentionedoandomereoparticipationoinoINAoiso notoaocriteriaoforograntoofoSwatantrataoSainikoSammanoPension.o

(ii)oo Aso pero provisionso ofo SSSo Yojana,o certificateo fromo Allo IndiaoINAoCommitteeoisomust.oButoinotheodocumentsosubmittedo ino supporto ofo Petitioner'so claim,o theo jailo sufferingo ofo hero husbandoisonotomentionedoinotheoCertificateofurnishedobyotheoAllo Indiao1.N.A.oCommittee.o

(iii)oo Asoperoparao2.1(b)oofoSSSoPensionoscheme,o1980,otheoCo-prisoner'so Certificateo oughto too haveo issuedo byo ano eligibleo certifiero ieo Centralo freedomo fightero pensionero whoo hado undergoneo imprisonmento foro ao minimumo oneo yearo ando whoo wereowithotheoapplicantoinotheojailocouldobeoconsideredoprovidedo theo Stateo Government/Uniono Territoryo Administrationo concerned,o aftero dueo verificationo ofo theo claimo ando itso genuineness,o certifieso thato documentaryo evidenceso fromo theo officialorecordsoinotheosupportoofotheoclaimedosufferingsowereo notoavailable.oWhereas,otheoCo-prisoner'soCertificateohaveonoto beenosubmittedobyotheoPetitioner.o

(iv)oo Para/Clauseo2.2oofoSSSoPensionoSchemeoprovidedoabouto theomethodoandomanneroofoPersonaloknowledgeocertificateoforo considerationoofoaoclaim.oAsoperotheolaidodownoprovision,oino caseo ofo undergroundo sufferings,o ao PKCo fromo ao prominento freedomofighterowhoohasoprovenojailosufferingsoofoaominimumoofo twoo yearso ando whoo happenedo too beo fromo theo sameo administrativeo unito couldo beo consideredo providedo theo Stateo Government/Uniono Territoryo Administrationo concerned,o aftero dueoverificationoofotheoclaimoandoitsogenuineness,ocertifiesothato documentaryoevidencesofromotheoofficialorecordsoinosupportoofo theo claimedo sufferingso wereo noto available.o Whereas,o theo PetitionerohadonotosubmittedoPKC.o

(v)oo Asoperotheoclause/parao2.1(a)oofolaidodownoguidelinesoofo SSSo Pensiono Schemeo (nowo calledo aso SSSo Yojana).o imprisonment/detentiono certificateo fromo theo concernedo jailo authority,o Districto Magistrateo oro theo Stateo Governmento CWP-305-2022o -13-o 2023:PHHC:122870 indicatingotheoperiodoofosentenceoawarded,odateoofoadmission,o dateo ofo releaseo areo requiredo too beo submittedo whereas,o theo Petitionerohadonotosubmittedoanyonoodocumentoinosupportoofotheo claimedojailoimprisonmentosufferedobyoherohusbandowhichocouldo establishohisojailosufferings.o

(vi)oo AsoperoparaoVo(1)oofopolicy/letterono.o45/03/2014-FF(P)o ofoSSSoYojana,oCentraloGovernmentocanoconsiderotheoclaimsoofo Centralo Sammano Pensiono onlyo wheno theo sameo areo receivedo fromotheoStateoGovernment/UnionoTerritoryodulyoverifiedoando recommended.oTheoverificationoandorecommendationoreportoiso mandatoryobecauseotheorelevantodocumentsoandootheroevidenceo areo ino theo possessiono ofo concernedo Stateo Government/Uniono Territoryo Administrationso concernedo ando noto ofo theo Centralo Government.oInotheoinstantocase,otheoStateoGovernmentohasonoto recommendedotheocaseoforograntoofoCentraloSammanoPension.o Hence,o ino absenceo ofo theo recommendationso ofo theo Stateo Government,oclaimoofotheoPetitioneroisonotoconsiderable.o

(vii)oo Theoparao4oofoSSSoPensionoSchemeo(nowocalledoasoSSSo Yojana)omakesotheoprovisionothatowhereorecordoisonotoavailableo withotheoStateoGovernment,otheoconcernedoStateoGovernmento shouldo furnisho non-availabilityo ofo recordo certificateo ino theo prescribedo format,o whereaso theo sameo haso alsoo noto beeno provided."o o o o Relyingoonotheosame,oitowasoaverredothatotheopetitioners'ocaseo waso noto foundo meetingo theo eligibilityo criteriao ando theo evidentiaryo requirementsounderotheoSSSoYojanaoandowasothusorightlyorejectedothroughoao detailed,owelloreasonedoandoaospeakingoorder.oo o o Controvertingotheosame,ocounseloforotheopetitionersohasoarguedo thatotheoPensionoSchemeodatedo15.08.1981oasoframedobyotheorespondentso providedotheodetailsoasotoowhooareoeligibleodependentsoandoalsootheopeopleo CWP-305-2022o -14-o 2023:PHHC:122870 whooareoeligibleoforotheoSammanoPension.oTheorelevantoclausesoofotheosaido schemeoareoasounder:-o o "3.o WHOoAREoELIGIBLEoDEPENDENTS:o o Foro theo purposeo ofo granto ofo Sammano pension,o familyo includeso (ifo theo freedomo fightero iso noto alive)o mother,o father,o widowerowidowoifohe/sheohasonotosinceoremarried,ounmarriedo daughterso o Noto moreo thano oneo eligibleo dependento cano beo grantedo pensiono ando ino theo evento ofo availabilityo ofo moreo thano oneo dependentotheosequenceoofoeligibilityowillobeowidowowidower,o unmarriedodaughters,omotheroandofathero

4.o WHOoISoELIGIBLE?o o ForotheopurposeoofograntoofoSammanopensionounderotheo scheme,oaofreedomofighterois-o

(a)oo Aopersonowhoohadosufferedoaominimumoimprisonmentoofo sixo monthsoinotheo mainlandojailsobeforeoIndependence.o However,oex-INAopersonnelowillobeoeligibleoforopensionoifo theoimprisonment/detentionosufferedobyothemowasooutsideo India.oTheominimumoperiodoofoactualoimprisonmentoforo eligibilityoofopensionohasobeenoreducedotoothreeomonths,o ino caseo ofo womeno ando SC/STo freedomo fighterso fromo

01.08.1980.o EXPLANATIONo

1.oo Detentiono undero theo orderso ofo theo competento authorityowillobeoconsideredoasoimprisonment.o

2.oo Periodoofonormaloremissionouptoooneomonthowillobeo treatedoasopartoofoactualoimprisonmento

3.oo Inotheocaseoofoaotrialoendingoinoconviction,oundero trialo periodo willo beo countedo towardso actualo imprisonmentosuffered.oo

4.o Brokenoperiodoofoimprisonmentowillobeototalledoupo CWP-305-2022o -15-o 2023:PHHC:122870

(b)oo Aopersonowhooremainedoundergroundoforomoreothanosixo monthsoprovidedoheowaso

1.oo aoproclaimedooffender,ooro

2.oo oneoonowhomoanoawardoforoarrest/headowaso announced;ooroo

3.oo oneoforowhoseodetentionoorderowasoissuedobutonoto served.o

(c)oo Ao persono internedo ino hiso homeo oro externedo fromo hiso districto providedo theo periodo ofo internment/externmento wasosixomonthsooromore.o

(d)oo Ao persono whoseo propertyo waso confiscatedo oro attachedo andosoldodueotooparticipationoinotheofreedomostruggle.o

(e)oo Aopersonowhoobecameopermanentlyoincapacitatedoduringo firingoorolathiocharge.o

(f)o Ao persono whoo losto hiso jobo (Centralo oro Stateo Government)o ando thuso meanso ofo livelihoodo foro participationoinonationalomovement.o o AoMARTYRoisoaopersonowhoodiedoorowhoowasokilledoino actiono oro ino detentiono oro waso awardedo capitalo punishmento whileoparticipationoinoaoNationaloMovementoforoemancipationo ofoIndia.oItowilloincludeoanoex-INAooroex-Militaryopersonowhoo diedofightingotheoBritish."o o o o Itoisoarguedobyotheocounseloforotheopetitionerothatotheowidowoofo deceasedofreedomofighteroisoeligibleoforotheoPensionoSchemeoandothatoforo beingoeligible,otheoclaimoofoKamlaoDeviowasotoobeoconsideredounderoClauseo 4(f)oasoaopersonowhoohasolostohisojobo(CentralooroState)oandothusomeansoofo livelihoodo foro participationo ino Nationalo Movement.o Heo furthero makeso ao referenceotootheolistoofomovements/mutiniesothatohaveorecognizedoasoNationalo MovementsounderotheoSSSoPensionoSchemeo1980owhereinoINAomovemento haso beeno mentionedo ato No.18o ino Annexureo -1o thereof.o Heo submitso thato eligibilityo conditionso mentionedoino Clauseo 4o ofo theo aforesaido schemeo areo CWP-305-2022o -16-o 2023:PHHC:122870 independentocategoriesoandodoonotorequireoallotoobeosatisfiedotogetherobyoeacho andoeveryoclaimantobeforeohis/heroclaimoisoconsideredoforotheograntofopensiono underotheosaidoscheme.oHeocontendsothatoHarphuloSinghohadolostohisojobowitho Centralo Government,o ino theo Ministryo ofo Defenceo whileo servingo ino Firsto BahawalpuroUnitoofoPunjaboRegiment,oandothusolostohisomeansoofolivelihoodo foro participationo ino Nationalo Movement.o Theo Dischargeo Certificateo undisputedlyo makesoaoreferenceotootheoreasonoforodischargeofromoserviceo beingohisoparticipation/associationowithotheoINAomovement.oItoisocontendedo thatotheoreasonoassignedobyotheorespondentsofororejectionoofotheoclaimoisothato requisiteo documentso too substantiateo thato deceasedo Harphulo Singho hado undergoneo ano imprisonmento hado noto beeno furnished,o whereaso sucho requirementowasonotoprescribedoinotheoschemeodocumentoforopersonsowhoo lostotheirojobs.oTheonecessityoforoprovidingotheocontemporaryoevidentiaryo documentsoinoformoofoimprisonmentofororeleaseoofopensionowasoinorelationotoo theo claimantso whoo hado sufferedo imprisonmento undero Clauseo 4(a)o ofo theo abovesaidoschemeoandothatotheopetitioners'omotherohavingonotoappliedoundero theosaidoClause,oheroclaimofororeleaseoofopensionaryobenefitsounderoClauseo 4(f)o cannoto beo testedo ono theo documentso prescribedo foro determiningo theo validityo ofo pensiono undero clauseo 4(a).o Ito waso furthero arguedo thato theo objectionsoofotheorespondentsowithorespectotootheorevisedoguidelinesoundero Clauseo1.5oandoClauseo5oasoperotheoaddendumodatedo06.08.2014ohasoalreadyo beenoconsideredobyoaoSingleoBenchoofothisoCourtoandotheosaidoobjectionso wereo noticedo ando rejectedo aso noto layingo downo ao valido foundationo foro rejectionoofotheoclaimoofopetitioners'omother.oHeofurtherocontendsothatoitohaso goneouncontrovertedothatotheosimilarobenefitohasoalreadyobeenoextendedotoo CWP-305-2022o -17-o 2023:PHHC:122870 Smt.o Chando Kaur,owhoo waso similarlyo placedo butotheo orderohasonoto beeno implementedowithorespectotootheopetitioners'omotheroevenothoughotheocaseoofo Smt.oKamlaoandoSmt.oChandoKaurowasoidenticaloandotheocaseoofoChandoKauro wasorejectedobyoDivisionoBench,owhileodealingowithoLPAoNo.60oofo2021o arisingooutoofotheoWritopetitionoofoSmt.oChandoKaur,oforosameoreasons.oEveno thoughoreferenceotootheosecondoorderopassedobyorespondentsomayonotohaveo beeno madeo byo theo Divisiono Bencho ordero passedo ino LPAo No.56o ofo 2021,o however,otheoDivisionoBenchohasospecificallyonoticedotheosameoinoLPAoNo.o 60/2021o ando holdo thato theo reasonso reliedo upono byo theo respondentso areo untenable.oConsequently,oreiterationoofotheosameoreasonsoevenoinotheothirdo ordero ofo rejectiono datedo 13.08.2021o waso ano attempto too overreacho theo judgmentoofotheoDivisionoBenchoofothisoCourt.oo o o Whileo advertingo too theo objectionso raisedo byo theo respondent-StateoofoHaryanaoregardingonecessityoofosubmissionoofotheoclaimowithinotheo timeolimitsoprescribedoasoperotheoschemeodocument,oreferenceohasobeenomadeo tootheoSingleoBenchoJudgmentoinotheowritopetitionofiledobyotheopetitioners'o motheroasoaffirmedoinotheoLPAowherebyotheosaidoobjectionsowereofoundotoobeo untenable.oHeofurtherorefersotootheojudgmentoofoHon'bleoSupremeoCourtoino theomatteroofo'MukundoLaloBhandarioandoothersoVs.oUnionoofoIndiaoando others'oreportedoasoAIRo1993oSCo2127.oTheorelevantoextractothereoforeadsoaso under:o "7.oo Asoregardsotheocontentionothatotheopetitionersohadofiledo theiroapplicationsoafterotheodateoprescribedoinothatobehalf,oweo areoafraidothatotheoGovernmentostandoisonotojustifiable.oItoiso commonoknowledgeothatothoseowhooparticipatedoinotheofreedomo struggleoeitheroatotheonationalolevelooroinotheoerstwhileoNizamo State,oareoscatteredoallooverotheocountryoandomostoofothemomayo CWP-305-2022o -18-o 2023:PHHC:122870 evenobeoinhabitingotheoremotestopartsoofotheoruraloareas.oWhato isomore,oalmostoalloofothemomustohaveonowogrownoprettyoold,oifo theyoareoalive.oWhereotheofreedomofightersoareonotoaliveoando theiro widowso ando theo unmarriedo daughterso haveo too prefero claims,o theo positiono mayo stillo beo worseo witho regardo too theiro knowledgeoofotheoprescribedodate.oWhatoisomore,oifotheoSchemeo haso beeno introducedo witho theo genuineo desireo too assisto ando honourothoseowhoohadogivenotheobestopartoofotheirolifeoforotheo country,o ito ill-behaveso theo Governmento too raiseo pleaso ofo limitationoagainstosuchoclaims.oInofact,otheoGovernment,oifoitoiso possibleoforothemotoodooso,oshouldofindooutotheofreedomofighterso oro theiro dependentso ando approacho themo witho theo pensiono insteadooforequiringothemotoomakeoapplicationsoforotheosame.o ThatowouldobeotheotrueospiritoofoworkingooutosuchoSchemes.oTheo Schemeo haso rightlyo beeno renamedo ino 1985oaso theo Swatantrao SainikoSammanoPensionoSchemeotooaccordowithoitsoobject.oWe,o therefore,ocannotocountenanceotheopleaoofotheoGovernmentothato theo claimantso wouldo onlyo beo entitledo too theo benefito ofo theo Schemeo ifo theyo madeo applicationso beforeo ao particularo dateo notwithstandingothatoinofactotheyohadosufferedotheoimprisonmento andomadeotheosacrificesoandowereothusootherwiseoqualifiedotoo receiveotheobenefit.oWeoare,otherefore,oofotheoviewothatowhatevero theo dateo ono whicho theo claimantso makeo theo applications,o theo benefitoshouldobeomadeoavailableotoothem.oTheodateoprescribedo ino anyo pasto oro futureo noticeo invitingo theo claims,o shouldo beo regardedomoreoasoaomatteroofoadministrativeoconvenienceothano asoaorigidotime-olimito

8.oo Comingonowotootheolastocontentionoadvancedoonobehalfoofo theoGovernment,oviz.,othatotheobenefitoofotheoSchemeoshouldobeo extendedoonlyofromotheodateotheoclaimantoproducesotheorequiredo proofoofohisoeligibilityotootheopension,oweoareoofotheoviewothato thisocontentionocanobeoacceptedoonlyopartially.oThereohaveobeeno cases,oasoinotheopresentocase,owhereosomeoofotheoclaimantsohado madeo theiro applicationso buto eithero withouto theo necessaryo CWP-305-2022o -19-o 2023:PHHC:122870 documentaryoproofoorowithoinsufficientoproofoItoisounreasonableo tooexpectothatotheofreedomofightersoandotheirodependents,owouldo beoreadilyoinopossessionoofotheorequiredodocuments.oInotheoveryo natureo ofo things,o sucho documentso haveo too beo securedo eithero fromotheojailorecordsoorofromopersonsowhoohaveobeenonamedoino theoSchemeotoocertifyotheoeligibility.oThusotheoclaimantsohaveotoo relyouponothirdoparties.oTheorecordsoareoalsooquiteoold.oTheyo areo boundo too takeo theiro owno timeo too beo available.o Ito is,o therefore,ounrealisticotooexpectothatotheoclaimantsowouldobeoinoao positionotooproduceodocumentsowithinoaofixedotimeolimit.oWhatoiso necessaryoisomattersoofosuchoclaimsoisotooascertainotheofactumoofo theo eligibility.o Theo pointo ofo timeo wheno ito iso ascertained,o iso unimportant.oTheoprescriptionoofoaorigidotime-limitoforotheoproofo ofotheoentitlementoinotheoveryonatureoofothingsoisodemeaningotoo theoobjectoofotheoSchemeoWeoare,otherefore,oofotheoviewothato neitherotheodateoofotheoapplicationonorotheodateoonowhichotheo requiredoproofoisofurnishedoshouldomakeoanyodifferenceotootheo entitlementoofotheobenefitounderotheoSchemeoHence,oonceotheo applicationo iso made,o eveno ifo ito iso unaccompaniedo byo theo requisiteoeligibilityodata,otheodateoonowhichoitoisomadeoshouldobeo acceptedoasotheodateoofotheoprefermentoofotheoclaimowhatevero theodateoonowhichotheoproofoofoeligibilityoisofurnished."o o o o Referringotootheosame,oitoisocontendedothatotheoobjectoofotheo pensionoschemeowasotoohonourotheosacrificesomadeobyotheofreedomofighters,o whooparticipatedoinotheofreedomostruggleoofothisocountry.oTheosaidoschemeo wasoaobenevolentoschemeomeantotooacknowledgeoexemplaryocourageoshowno byo theo participantso ofo theo freedomo movemento ato theo costo ofo theiro inconvenience.o Thereo iso noo rationaleo aso too whyo cuto offo dateo wouldo beo sacrosanct.oTheoschemeobeingoaosocialowelfareoscheme,oanyosuchocutooffodateo hasotoobeoreadoonlyoasodirectoryoandoshouldonotobeoconstruedoasodefeatingotheo rightsoofoanoapplicantomerelyoonoaccountoofodelay.oo CWP-305-2022o -20-o 2023:PHHC:122870 o o Controvertingotheoaboveoarguments,ocounselofororespondento-UnionoofoIndiaohasoreiteratedotheostandoalreadyonoticedoaboveoandohasoarguedo thatotheopetitionersohaveonotofulfilledotheoeligibilityorequirementsoreferredotoo aboveoandothatotheoapplicationoinoquestionohadonotobeenoforwardedoalongwitho completeodocumentsodulyoverifiedofromotheoconcernedoAuthoritiesoi.e.oStateo ofoHaryana.oo o o Theo aboveo saido stando ofo theo respondent-Uniono ofo Indiao iso howevero contradictedo andobeliedobyo theo stando ofotheo respondent-Stateoofo Haryana,owhichohadospecificallyorespondedotootheoinformationosoughtobyolateo Smt.o Kamlao Devi,o whereino ito waso averredo thato applicationo hado beeno submittedobyoSmt.oKamlaoDevioono22.10.2010ofororeleaseoofotheopensionoando furtherofromotheoaffidavitofiledobyoChiefoSecretaryoinotheopendingocontempto petition,owhereinoitowasospecificallyoaverredothatotheocaseoofotheopetitionerso waso forwardedo too theo Uniono ofo Indiao foro considerationo ando releaseo ofo pensionaryobenefits.oItowasoalsooaverredothatonecessaryoverificationoofotheo documentsoappendedoalongwithotheoapplicationohadoalsoobeenodoneoandotheo sameohadobeenofoundoinoorder.ooo o o Iohaveoheardotheolearnedocounseloforotheorespectiveopartiesoando haveogoneothroughotheodocumentsoandorecordoavailableoonocaseofileowitho theiroableoassistance.o o o Theo uncontrovertedo factualo matrixo whicho emergeso fromo theo perusaloofotheodocumentsoasowelloasofromotheopleadingsoavailableoonotheofileo areoasounder:o

(i)k Deceasedo Harphulo Singho waso workingo witho theo centralo governmentoinotheoPunjaboRegimentoandothatoheowasodischargedo CWP-305-2022o -21-o 2023:PHHC:122870 fromoserviceoino1946oonoaccountoofohisoassociation/participationo inotheoINAomovement.oo

(ii)k INAo haso beeno declaredo too beo parto ando parcelo ofo ao Nationalo MovementoasoperoSwatantrataoSainikoSammanoPensionoScheme,o 1980odulyonotifiedobyoUnionoofoIndiaoatoSr.o18oofoAnnexureoI.oo

(iii)k Thato theo SSSo Pensiono Schemeo heldo theo widow/unmarriedo childrenoofoaofreedomsofighterotoobeoeligibleoforotheopension/theo dependentopension.o

(iv)k ThatoasoperotheoeligibilityoconditionsoprescribedoinoClauseo4oofo theo Schemeo Document,o theo beneficiarieso couldo fallo undero differentocategories.oTheopersonsoeligibleowereonotorequiredotoo fulfillo allo theo concernedo requirementso ando wereo requiredo too satisfyotheoconditionsothatoareosufficientotooestablishotheoclaimo fororeleaseoofopensionounderotheocategoryoinowhichosuchoaoclaimo hasobeenolodgedooroisotoobeoconsidered.o

(v)k ThatotheoclaimopreferredobyotheopetitionersoforograntoofoSammano Pensiono waso too beo consideredo undero Clauseo 4(f)o whereino ao persono whoo haso losto hiso jobo foro beingo associatedo witho theo NationaloMovementowasoentitledotootheoSammanoPension.oo

(vi)k ThatotheoDischargeoSummaryoasowelloasotheoCertificateoissuedo byotheorespondent-AuthoritiesoreflectingothatolateoHarphuloSingho wasodischargedofromotheoArmyoonoaccountoofoparticipationoino theo Nationalo Movemento haso remainedo uncontrovertedo ando CWP-305-2022o -22-o 2023:PHHC:122870

(vii)k Thatotheoreasonsogivenobyotheorespondent-UnionoofoIndiaoforo decliningo theo claimo ofo theo petitionerso areo apparentlyo ino referenceotooClauseo4(a)owhereoaopersonoisorequiredotoosuffero minimumo imprisonment.o Theo documentso citedo byo theo respondentsoasonecessaryoforoverificationoofotheoclaimobeingotheo certificatesofromotheoco-prisonersoasoalsootheocustodyodurationo etc.oareoprescribedoasoaopartoofotheorequirementounderoClauseo 4(a)oandonoosuchorequirementohasobeenoprescribedowhileodealingo withotheoissuesopertainingotooClauseo4(f).oo o o Theo eligibilityo andotheo evidentiaryo requiremento mentionedoino Annexure-IIoappendedotootheoSchemeohadotoobeoexaminedoinotermsoofoClauseo

2.6oorotheosaidoAnnexuresowhichowouldoratheroapplyoforoClauseo4(F)oandotheo sameoreadsothus:o "2.6o LossoofoGovernmentoJob:o Ao persono whoo losto hiso Govt.o jobo foro participationo ino freedomo struggleo iso eligibleo subjectotoofurnishingoofoordersoofodismissaloororemovalofromo service.o However,o personso whoo wereo reinstatedo ino serviceo beforeoexpiryoofotwooyearsofromotheirodismissaloororemovalofromo serviceoandowereoinoreceiptoofobenefitsooropayoandoallowanceo areonotoeligibleoforopension."o o o o Theo onlyo requiremento prescribedo foro ao pensionero seekingo SammanoPensionoonoaccountoofolossoofoGovernmentoJoboiso'furnishingoofo ordersoofodismissaloororemovalofromoservice'.oTheoonlyodisqualificationoforo pensionounderotheosaidoclauseoiso'inocaseotheoemployeeohadobeenoreinstatedo afterodismissalowithinoaoperiodoofolessothanotwooyearsofromosuchoremoval'.oIto isonototheocaseoofotheorespondentsothatolateoHarphuloSinghowasoreinstatedo withinoaoperiodoofolessothanotwooyearsofromotheodateoofohisoremovalofromo CWP-305-2022o -23-o 2023:PHHC:122870 service,owhichowouldobeoanoineligibility/disqualificationounderoClauseo2.6oofo theo Annexureo –IIo prescribingo eligibilityo conditionso ando evidentiaryo requirementso foro considerationo ofo Swatantratao Sainio Sammano Pensiono Schemeo1980.o o o Itoisofurtheroevidentofromoperusaloofotheoorderopassedobyotheo learnedoSingleoJudgeoasowelloasobyotheoHon'bleoDivisionoBenchonotoonlyoino theomatteroofoKamlaoDeviobutoalsooinotheomatteroofoChandoKaurothatotheo objectionsowithorespectotootheorevisedoguidelibnesodatedo06.08.2014ohadobeeno noticedoandorejectedobyoaoSingleoBenchoasowelloasoaoDivisionoBenchoofothiso Court.oNotwithstandingotheorejectionoofotheosaidoclaim,otheorespondentsohaveo shownotheoaudacityotooplaceorelianceoonotheosameoobjectionsowhichohaveo beenotestedoandohaveobeenorejectedobyothisoCourt.oTheoaboveoconductoofotheo respondentsodeservesodeprecation.o o o Theoobjectoofotheoschemeothatowasointendedotooconferobenefito ando too honouro theo sacrificeso madeo byo theo freedomo fighterso haso beeno completelyobelittledobyotheoconductoofotheoofficialsowhoohadobeenodealingo withotheoentireoissuesowithoinsensitivityoandorepetitiveoministerialomindset.o Thereohasobeenonooapplicationoofomind.oSoomuchoso,otheorespondentsohaveo choseno noto too eveno refero too theiro owno policyo documento ando too testo theo applicationoonotheobasisoofoeligibilityoconditionsoprescribedotherein.oEveno thoughotheorespondentsohadoavailedoasomanyoasothreeoopportunitiesotoore-examineotheoclaimoandocaseoofotheopetitionersofororeleaseoofotheopension,o however,oonoeachooccasion,oitowasojustoaorepetitionoofotheoreasonsogiveno earlier.oThisoleftotheopetitionersotoopursueotheiroremediesorepeatedlyobeforeo differento Formso ando too suffero theo agonyo ofo humiliationo causeo byo theo CWP-305-2022o -24-o 2023:PHHC:122870 respondent-UnionoofoIndia.oTheosaidoconductoofotheorespondent-Unionoofo India,owhichoshowsocompleteolackoofoempathy,osensitivity,oobjectivityoando fairness,orendersoitoliableotoopayoaocostsoofoRs.1,00,000/-o(RupeesoOneoLaco only)otootheopetitionersoherein.o o o Theopresentopetitionoisoaccordinglyoallowed,oinoviewoofotheofactso noticedoaboveoandotheopositionoofolawoextractedoabove.o o o Theopetitionersowouldobeoentitledotootheodependentopensionoino termso ofo theo aforesaido Schemeo ofo 1980o w.e.f.o 22.10.2010o wheno theo applicationowasosubmittedobyoSmt.oKamlaoDeviotillo02.06.2021owhenosheo passedoaway,oalongwithointeresto@o6%operoannum.oInotheoeventotheoaforesaido pensiono alongwitho allo arrearso iso noto disbursedo withino ao periodo ofo threeo monthsoofotheoreceiptoofocertifiedocopyoofothisoorder,otheoarrearsoshallocarryo interesto@o9%operoannum.oo o o Petitionostandsoallowedoaccordingly.

o o o o o o o o o (VINODoS.oBHARDWAJ)o

13.09.2023.oo o o o o o oooooJUDGEo rajendero o o o Whetherospeaking/reasonedo :oYes/Noo o o Whetheroreportableo o :oYes/Noo o