HC Grants Pension to 1965 War Widow After 58 Years

• 06 Dec 2024

Why in News? 

In a landmark decision, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted pension benefits to Anguri Devi, an 87-year-old widow of a soldier who died in the Indo-Pak war 1965. 

• This ruling marks the end of a 58-year struggle for justice and financial support. 

Key Points 

• Anguri Devi's husband, Nater Pal Singh, served in the Rajput Regiment and was killed in a mine blast on the western front during the 1965 war.         
  • She received a special family pension from the Army after her husband's death. 
• In 1972, the government introduced the "Liberalised Family Pension" policy with retrospective effect for operations from 1947 onwards, granting higher pensions. 
  • The policy included financial effect and arrears starting 1st February, 1972. 
• Despite her husband dying in 1965, the authorities did not apply the policy to Anguri Devi. 
• A new policy was introduced on 31st January, 2001, with financial effect from 1st January, 1996. 
• The policy included the "Liberalised Family Pension" but applied only to deaths/disabilities after 1st January, 1996. 
• The Supreme Court later struck down the cut-off date of 1996. 
  • However, Anguri Devi's claim was initially denied due to cut-off dates that excluded her case.  
• Despite a Supreme Court ruling that struck down these cut-off dates, her claim remained unresolved. 
• After years of legal battles, the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) provided partial relief, limiting her arrears to three years before her filing date.  
  • However, the Punjab and Haryana High Court overturned this decision, ruling that she is entitled to arrears from the effective date of the 2001 policy.