Pension for soldier’s widow after 12 yrs

Indian Military Veterans

Pension for soldier’s widow after 12 yrs 
Saurabh Malik
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 31
More than four months after the Punjab and Haryana High Court declared that “a false and incorrect stand” was taken during judicial proceedings to deny payback to a soldier’s widow and “such deception” amounted to “perjury”, special family pension and other benefits have finally been released to her.

A Division Bench has also accepted the explanation furnished by Major BS Verma, issued notice through Ministry of Defence. He was, on a previous date of hearing, asked to explain his stand by filing an affidavit. Posted earlier as Senior Record Officer at Pune, Major Verma had filed a written statement in the case.

In its previous order, the High Court had asserted that the case shocked its “judicial conscience”. The observation came nearly 12 years after Naik Mohammed Sabir Hussain died in an accident with a “civilian” Maruti car.

After recording evidence, the Court of Inquiry expressed opinion that the victim was on “bona fide military duty” when the accident occurred. The report was subsequently accepted by Brigadier Station Commander. He too concluded that the death was attributable to bona fide military duty.

But the respondents, with “mala fide” intentions referred to the deposition of a witness, and not the inquiry’s conclusion, to deny his widow Akhtari Khatun special family pension.

As her initial petition against the denial was taken up by a Single Judge, a written statement was filed under Major Verma’s signatures. The respondents took the stand that the soldier had gone to the market to purchase ration for himself, and not for the unit. As such, special family pension could not be granted. The petition was then dismissed by the Single Judge on the basis of the statement.

As the case came up for resumed hearing before the Bench of Justice Hemant Gupta and Justice Kuldip, counsel for the Union of India produced photocopies of documents dated August 19 to show that special family pension had been sanctioned. The counsel added directions had been issued for release of payments.