Landmark Judgement Grants 83-Year-Old Mother Family Pension Rights

The Himachal Pradesh High Court ruled in favor of Shankari Devi, granting her family pension after decades of denial. Justice Sandeep Sharma directed the Union of India to comply with pension rules, providing hope for elderly parents of deceased government employees seeking similar justice.

In a groundbreaking ruling, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has granted family pension to Shankari Devi, an 83-year-old mother of a deceased Border Security Force (BSF) soldier. Justice Sandeep Sharma's single-judge bench instructed the Union of India to recognize the rightful pension claim, challenging the previous ineligibility ruling by the BSF's Pay and Accounts Division.

The court emphasized adherence to the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, specifically Sub-clause 10 of Rule 50. This stipulation entitles parents to a family pension following the widow's remarriage. Shankari Devi's pension entitlement came into question after her son's widow, Suraksha Devi, remarried and forfeited her pension rights, prompting the denial of Shankari's claim.

The court ordered the expedited processing of Shankari Devi's pension, acknowledging her long struggle and advanced age, and awarded her arrears for three years preceding her petition filing. The Union Government has a six-week deadline to ensure compliance and must report back within three weeks thereafter to confirm execution.

(With inputs from agencies.)