NISHAN SINGH Vs. UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners are the legal heirs of Nishan Singh (deceased), who filed this petition for quashing of the orders dated 20.08.1992, 02.12.2004 and 23.09.2013 rejecting the prayer for grant of freedom fighter pension.

(2.) The Freedom Fighter Pension Scheme, introduced by the Government of India in 1972, was meant for pension to the freedom fighters participated in the freedom struggle. The scheme was modified and renamed as Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme, 1980 [for short 'the Scheme'], introduced on 15.8.1980, made applicable w.e.f. 01.08.1980, as per which pension was extended to all the freedom fighters as token of samman (respect).

(3.) Nishan Singh (deceased) allegedly participated in the Quit India Movement and suffered imprisonment in Central Jail Lahore w.e.f. 20.10.1942 to 25.09.1943 along with his co -prisoners, namely, Om Parkash Gir s/o Sh. Natha Ram, r/o Village and Post Office Ghanur, Tehsil Rajpura, District Patiala and Sher Singh s/o Mehtab Singh r/o Village Baswan, Tehsil Rajpura, District Patiala, who have been granted freedom fighter pension by the Government of India as well as Government of Punjab and also awarded Tamra Patra.