LATISH KUMAR Vs. STATE BANK OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Admitted facts of this case are that petitioner is son of late Tej Singh. He was ex-serviceman. After having served Army for 15 years, he retired. Thereafter he was appointed as a Guard with respondent No. 1 Bank. He died-in- harness on 27.2.1999. Deceased is survived by his widow, two sons and a daughter.

(2.) Respondent-Bank through respondent No. 2 on 6th March, 1999 while condoling the death of her husband, informed the mother of the petitioner that in the Bank, to the legal representatives/ dependent of the deceased official on fulfilment of certain conditions, some benefits are given, viz., disbursal of the amount in a provident fund, family pension, compassionate grant. In the event of the deceased employee being member of the State Bank of India Mutual Benefit Scheme, then besides grant, monthly financial assistance is also given from the benefit fund, leave encashment benefit, compassionate appointment to one of the family member is also provided by the bank. Petitioner's mother was further informed vide this communication that in the aforesaid context she may contact Bhuntar Branch of the bank and forms may be presented after those are duly filled-in at the earliest. In filling of the forms if any assistance is required then also she may contact Bhuntar Branch. Petitioner's mother was further assured that in all these matters as per rules of the bank, immediate action be taken. Copy of this communication is placed on the file as Annexure P-1.

(3.) Further facts which emerge from the record of this petition are, that family pension was released in favour of the widow of the deceased vide Annexure P-2. Date of birth of the petitioner is 8.4.1982. He was to attain age of 18 years on 7.4.2000. Since his matriculation result was not declared, as such as application was addressed to the Deputy General Manager on 15th May, 2000 by the mother of the petitioner which when translated into English reads as under: