UNION OF INDIA Vs. PETER DEVASSIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) When this Writ Appeal came up for admission before the Division Bench, it was submitted by the appellants counsel that in view of the decision of the Supreme Court in Union of India & Others v. Manohar Lal Azad & Another (Civil Appeal No. 6210 of 2000), the decision of this Court in Union of India v. Lonan Benjamin ( 2002 (1) KLT 46 DB) was not correct. The Bench presided over by Srikrishna, C.J. as His Lordship then was, felt that the matter be heard by a Full Bench and passed the order of reference which reads:

(2.) Union of India is the appellant. Respondents 2 to 9 are the legal heirs of respondent No. 1, Peter Devassia who filed O.P. No. 12091 praying, among other, to quash the order of the Central Government rejecting his application for the grant of the freedom fighters pension. Writ petitioner was detained in prison for nine months as an under trial prisoner in connection with Punnapra Vayalar Struggle recognised as freedom struggle. That trial ended in the acquittal and discharge of the writ petitioner. Learned Single Judge allowed the O.P. by judgment dated 17.8.2001 holding that the petitioner was a freedom fighter coming within the purview of the relevant scheme. On 14.10.2001, the writ petitioner passed away, and therefore his wife and children have come on record in this appeal.

(3.) The point arising for consideration before us is whether detention of a person as under trial prisoner for participation in the freedom struggle gives him the right for freedom fighters pension under the scheme even if the trial did not end in conviction. Both sides agree, and in our view rightly, that the answer to the above question has to be found out within the frame work of the relevant scheme. Hence a brief reference to that scheme.