UNION OF INDIA Vs. RITA SHARMA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In the present petition, the challenge is to the order dtd. 26/7/2023 (Annexure P/3) passed by the Armed Force Tribunal Regional Bench, Chandigarh (for short, 'Tribunal') by which respondent No.1 namely, Rita Sharma has been allowed the benefit of dependent family pension, being dependent upon her mother namely, Motiya Devi, who died on 10/8/2005.

(2.) Learned counsel for the petitioners-UOI argues that the father of the respondent No.1 namely, Tigor Nath @ Tagore Nath was enrolled in Army on 30/10/1946 and was invalided out from service on 17/5/1965 after rendering 18 years and 199 days in service for which he was also granted benefit of disability pension but he unfortunately died on 14/2/1986, after which, mother of the respondent No1. namely, Motiya Devi was granted the benefit of family pension starting from 15/2/1986.

(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioners-UOI submits that Motiya Devi also died on 10/8/2005 and thereafter, the respondent No.1-Rita Sharma claimed the benefit of family pension on the ground that she is a divorcee and dependent on her mother, which claim has been accepted by the Tribunal.