KAUMARI KESAVAN Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These bunch of writ petitions are related to the claim of pension under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme. In all these writ petitions, a common question arises as to the eligibility of a certifier to issue Personal Knowledge Certificate. Therefore, it is appropriate to dispose these cases by a common judgment. However, the facts involved in each case are separately narrated for the purpose of understanding the issues involved. In all these cases, pension is claimed in connection with participation in the Punnapra-Valayar Movement.

(2.) The petitioner is the widow of late Bava Kesavan. According to the petitioner, late Bava Kesavan had taken part in the Punnapra-Vayalar Movement. There is no primary evidence. The State Government had not forwarded a positive recommendation as the Personal Knowledge Certificate issued by Sri.P.A Solomon, Ex-MP, cannot be relied as he was not an eligible certifier.

(3.) The petitioner is the widow of late Ayyappan Bhaskaran. According to the petitioner, Ayyappan Bhaskaran had taken part in the Punnapra-Vayalar Movement. The petitioner also refers to the 'Thamrapathra' conferred on her husband. 'Thamrapathra' was conferred to honour such persons who had taken part in the freedom struggle. Similar to other cases as referred above, the petitioner's case was not positively recommended by the State Government as the certifier Sri.P.A.Solomon, Ex-MP, was not an eligible certifier.