High Court Seeks Centre's Response on Agniveer Benefits

The Bombay High Court has requested a response from the Ministry of Defence regarding a plea by Jyotibai Naik, mother of Agniveer Murali Naik, challenging unequal benefit provisions for Agniveers' families compared to regular soldiers. The petition argues for equal post-service benefits following Naik's death in a J&K operation.

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday demanded that the Ministry of Defence respond to a plea from Jyotibai Naik, the mother of Agniveer Murali Naik, who was killed in Jammu & Kashmir during Operation Sindoor.

This plea challenges the denial of full death benefits to Agniveer's families, asserting this creates unfair distinctions from regular soldiers' families. Justice Ravindra Ghuge's bench issued notices and slated the next hearing for January 15.

The petition contends Agniveers perform duties akin to regular soldiers, facing identical risks, yet lack equal posthumous benefits. It criticizes the Agnipath scheme for excluding Agniveers from pensions and long-term welfare provisions, seeking remedy for such inequities.

(With inputs from agencies.)