PREMO DEVI Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner claims herself to be a widow of Sepoy Lachoo S/o Jeoni No. 5703, who was serving in Sikh FF (Frontier Force). It is contended that he was a pensioner, drawing pension from Post Office, Kotla Tehsil Jwali (earlier Tehsil Nurpur), Distt. Kangra, H.P. till his death in the year, 1951 -52.

(2.) THE contention of the petitioner is that Sepoy Lachoo aforesaid fought World War (1914 -1919) and served the Army till the year 1933. Thereafter, he was retired and was getting pension @ Rs. 16/ - per month. Further during 2nd World War (1939 -45), he was recalled to join the Army, when the War was over, he was again discharged from the Army, but he continued to take the pension from the said Post Office.

(3.) THE petitioner contended that she represented to the Regiment record office for the grant of family pension under the Revised Family Pension Scheme, 1964, but there was no response. She also contacted various State authorities including the Deputy Director Sainik Welfare Officer, Chamba, but of no avail. According to the petitioner though she was asked to submit certain documents, relevant in deciding the family pension, but she was not possessed of any except a medal of her husband which was awarded in 1st World War. Ultimately, the petitioner served legal notices on the respondents which did not yield any result. The petitioner also submitted that her husband was granted land in Village Tikri Sub -Tehsil Sihunta, Tehsil Bhatiat, Distt. Chamba, H.P. in lieu of his having participated in the World Wars. To this effect, she also appended the copy of intimation (Annexure P -13). The medal aforesaid contained the name of Sepoy Lachoo and serial number 5703 on its rim. Its photocopy is Annexure P -14. Despite various representations to the various authorities, she failed to get any relief, as such, petitioner filed writ of mandamus directing the respondents to grant family pension in pursuance to Annexure P -1 from the due date along with interest.