Gurcharan Singh v. Union of India & Ors

o o 2023:PHHC:132639o o ooooooINoTHEoHIGHoCOURToOFoPUNJABoANDoHARYANAo AToCHANDIGARHoo 201o o o o o o o o oooooo o o o o o o o oooCWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o o o o o o ooooooooooooooooooooDateoofodecision:o11.10.2023o o GURCHARANoSINGHoo o o o o o o ......Petitioneroo o o o o o o VERSUSo o UNIONoOFoINDIAoANDoOTHERSo o o o oooooo.......Respondentsoo o CORAMo:oHON'BLEoMR.oJUSTICEoVINODoS.oBHARDWAJo o o o o o *****o o Present:o-oo Mr.oArmindraoPratapoSingh,oAdvocateoo o o forotheopetitioner.o o o o Mr.oAbhinavoGupta,oAdvocateoo o o fororespondentoNo.1.o-UnionoofoIndia.oo o o o o o Ms.oNiharikaoSharma,oAAG,oPunjab.oo o o o o o *****oo VINODoS.oBHARDWAJ,oJ.o(Oral)oo o

1.o o Challengeo ino theo presento petitiono iso too theo ordero datedo

06.03.2013,o 05.04.2013o ando 02.12.2004o (Annexureo P-5o too P-7)o respectively.oo o o

2.o o Petitionero contendso thato theo Governmento ofo Indiao hado introducedoaoFreedomoFighteroPensionoScheme,o1972oforograntoofopensiono tootheoFreedomoFightersowhooparticipatedoinotheofreedomostruggleoofoIndia.o Theo saido Schemeo waso modifiedo ando renamedo aso 'Swatantratao Sainiko SammanoPensionoScheme,o1980o(hereinoreferredotooasopensionoscheme)otoo honouro theo contributionso ofo theo freedomo fighters.o Theo sameo waso madeo applicableo w.e.f.o 01.08.1980.o Theo petitionero claimso thato heo sufferedo imprisonmento foro moreo thano 08o monthso ino theo maino lando jailso beforeo CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -2-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o independenceo ono accounto ofo havingo participatedo ino theo Quito Indiao Movemento duringo theo freedomo struggleo ofo theo countryo ando heo remaino imprisonedoinoCentraloJailoLahore.oHisoco-prisonersoBahaloSinghoresidentoofo villageoSuhronoandooneoInderoSinghoresidentoofovillageoSuhronowereoalsoo lodgedoinotheosameojailoduringotheosaidoperiod.oBothotheosaidoco-prisonerso hadobeenograntedofreedomofighteropensionobyotheoStateoGovernmentoasowello asotheoGovernmentoofoIndiaoandotheyohaveoreceivedotheosaidopensionotillo theiro deatho whereo aftero theiro dependentso areo alsoo receivingo theo benefitso admissibleotoothem.o

3.o o oTheo petitionero submittedo ano applicationo foro theo granto ofo freedomo fightero pension,o ino theo prescribedo performa,o ono 30.05.1988o alongwitho allo requisiteo documents/affidavitso includingo theo co-prisonerso certificateso ofo Bahalo Singho ando Indero Singh.o Theo aboveo saido caseo waso forwardedo too theo Deputyo Commissioner,o Patialao foro verificationo ofo theo documentsosubmittedoandofororecommendationoforograntoofopensionoonotheo basiso ofo theo statemento ofo co-prisonerso ando theo documentso submittedo alongwithotheosame.oTheothenoDeputyoCommissioner,oPatiala,osummonedo theopetitioneroasowelloasotheoco-prisonersoandoverifiedotheosaidofact.ooOno beingosatisfiedothatotheopetitionerowasoaogenuineofreedomofighter,ohisocaseo wasorecommendedobyohimoandosentotootheoChiefoSecretaryotooGovernmento ofoPunjab.oTheoStateoGovernmentothereafterograntedotheofreedomofightero pensionotootheopetitionerow.e.f.o30.05.1988oonotheorecommendationsoofotheo DeputyoCommissioner,oPatialaoandoPPOoNo.o8273/SS/Punjabowasoallotted.o Heocontinuedotooreceiveotheofreedomofighteropensionoasoannouncedobyotheo StateoofoPunjaboalongwithotheomedicaloallowance.oFurther,otheoGovernmento ofo Punjabo waso requiredo too recommendo theo caseo ofo theo petitionero too theo o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -3-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o Governmento ofo Indiao foro granto ofo freedomo fightero pensiono undero theo PensionoSchemeoofo1980,ohowever,otheosameohadonotobeenorecommended.o AsonoodecisionoonotheosaidorecommendationowasotakenobyotheoGovernmento ofoIndia,otheopetitioneroapproachedothisoCourtobyowayoofoCWP-1850-2011o foroseekingodirectionsotootheorespondentoauthoritiesotooconsiderotheocaseoofo theopetitioneroforograntoofopensionounderotheoPensionoSchemeoofo1980.oTheo saido writo petitiono waso disposedo ofo byo thiso Courto video ordero datedo

24.05.2012oandotheorespondent-authoritiesowereodirectedotoopassoaospeakingo orderoonotheorepresentationoofotheopetitionerowithinoaoperiodoofotwoomonthso fromoreceiptoofocopyoofotheosaidoorder.oo

4.o o Thatoinsteadoofodecidingotheocaseoofotheopetitioneroonotheobasiso ofo theo documentso submittedo byo himo too theo Governmento ofo Punjab,o theo Governmento ofo Indiao directedo theo Punjabo Governmento too holdo ao fresho enquiryoasotoowhetherotheopetitioneroisobonaofideofreedomofighterooronot.oTheo SuboDivisionaloMagistrate,oRajpuraoalongwithosubordinateostaffoapproachedo theopetitioner,owhoowasoconfinedotoobed,oandosubmittedoaoreportowhereinoito hasobeenoaverredothatotheorequisiteoinformationocouldonotobeofurnishedobyo theopetitioner.oTheoSuboDivisionaloMagistrate,oRajpuraodidonotorecommendo theo caseo ofo theo petitionero aso pero hiso lettero datedo 10.12.2012o foro theo followingoreasonso:-o "(1).oTheoPetitionero(Prisoner)odoesonotoknowoinowhicho movementoheohadotakenopart;o

(2).oHeodoesonotorememberotheodatesoofowhichoheowaso sentotooJailoandowasoreleasedofromotheoJail;o

(3).o Theo Petitionero doesn'to producedo requiredo Co-Prisonerocertificateoandostatedothatoheocan'toproduceotheo saidocertificate.oo

(4).o Manyo columnso ofo prescribedo Performao areo lefto o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -4-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o blank,o theo Petitionero statedo thato heo hado noo replyo regardingotheocolumnsoofothisoPerforma;o

(5),oNoorecord/fileoisoavailableoinothisoofficeoregardingotoo theopetitioneropensionocaseoofoPunjaboGovernment;o Dueo too aboveo reasons,o theo caseo cannoto beo recommendedoinoanyoway."o o

5.o o Thato ono theo basiso ofo theo aforesaido recommendation,o theo GovernmentoofoIndia,oMinistryoofoHomeoAffairsorejectedotheocaseoofotheo petitionero foro granto ofo freedomo fightero pension.o Theo aboveo ordero ofo theo Governmento ofo Indiao iso subjecto mattero ofo challengeo ino theo presento writo petition.oo

6.o o Replyo byo wayo ofo countero affidavito ofo Secretaryo too theo GovernmentoofoPunjab,oDepartmentoofoGeneraloAdministrationohadobeeno filedowhereinoitohasobeenoaverredothatotheopetitionerohasobeenoreceivingotheo Punjabo Stateo Freedomo Fightero Pensiono video PPOo No.o 8273/SS/Punjabo w.e.f.o30.05.1988oandothatonoo detailso ofo theo recordoofotheopetitioneroareo availableo withotheo saido respondentobeingo ano oldo record.o They,o however,o submittedothatotheorespondent-GovernmentoofoIndiaohasorejectedotheocaseoofo theopetitioneroonotheogroundothatoheocouldonotomeetotheoeligibilityocriteriao andodidonotosatisfyotheorequirementsoasolaidodownoinotheo'SwatantrataoSainiko Sammano Pensiono Scheme,o 1980.o Further,o aso pero theopolicyo ofo theo Stateo Governmento datedo 02.12.2004o (Annexureo P-7),o whereo ao caseo ofo ano applicantoforograntoofotheopensionoisorejectedobyotheoGovernmentoofoIndia,o theoGovernmentoofoPunjabowouldoalsoodiscontinueotheosame.oo

7.o o InoviewoofotheoaboveosaidopolicyodecisionoofotheoGovernmentoofo Punjabodatedo02.12.2004,oaoshowocauseonoticeowasoissuedotootheopetitionero video theo Stateo Governmento lettero No.o 13-10/2011-1FF/376o datedo VISHAL SHAR0M5A.04.2013oasotoowhyotheopensionoofotheopetitionerobeonotostopped.oAsoano o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -5-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o interimostayowasograntedotootheopetitioneroinotheopresentowritopetition,otheo pensionocontinuesotoobeodisbursedotoohim.oo

8.o o Aoseparateoreplyobyowayoofoshortoaffidavitohadobeenofiledoono behalfo ofo Accountanto Generalo (Pension)-respondento No.4o whereino theyo haveocontendedothatotheyohaveonooconcernowithotheoissueoinvolvedoandotheo pensionoordersoareotoobeoissuedobyotheorespectiveoStateoGovernmentowhoo haveoframedotheosaidoschemes.oo

9.o o Ao countero affidavito hado alsoo beeno filedo ono behalfo ofo respondentsoNo.1oando2oi.e.oUnionoofoIndia,othroughoUnderoSecretaryoinotheo MinistryoofoHomeoAffairs,oFreedomoFightersoandoRehabilitationoDivision.o Theorespondentsoreferredotootheoclausesoofotheopensionoschemeounderowhicho aopersonoisoentitledotooclaimopension.oAnoapplicantoisorequiredotoofurnishoao certificateo fromo theo concernedo jailo authoritieso indicatingo theo periodo ofo sentenceoawardedoandotheocustodyoundergone.oHowever,owhereotheorecordo oforelevantoperiodoisonotoavailable,oaonon-availabilityooforecordocertificateo

(NARC)ofromotheoconcernedoStateoGovernmentoalongwithotwooco-prisonero certificateo fromo freedomo fighterso whoo hado ao proveno jailo sufferingso ofo minimumooneoyearoandowhoowereowithotheoapplicantoinotheomainolandojailo foroaominimumoperiodoofo06omonthsoisorequiredotoobeoappendedoalongwitho theoapplication.oTheodetailsoasoregardsotheoprocedureotoobeofollowedoforo approvingo theo pensiono undero theo aboveo saido schemeo haso alsoo beeno mentioned.oItoisoaverredothatotheocaseoofotheopetitionerohadobeenoexaminedo inolightoofotheoaboveosaidoschemeoandotheoorderohadobeenopassedorejectingo theo claimo ofo theo petitioner.o Theyo furthero submittedo thato theo Punjabo Committeeohadoconsideredotheocaseoofotheopetitioneroandovideoitsomeetingo heldoono22.01.1991orejectedotheocaseoofotheopetitionerosinceoheofailedotoo o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -6-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o satisfyotheominimumosuffering.oSinceocaseoofotheopetitionerowasorejectedobyo theoPunjaboCommittee,ohence,otheorespondent-UnionoofoIndiaoalsoodeclinedo theocaseoofotheopetitionerohereinovideoorderodatedo18.02.1991oandohisonameo wasoindicatedoatoSerialoNo.o36398oofotheocomputerizedolistoofotheorejectedo cases.oo

10.o o ItoisocontendedothatotheoStateoGovernmentofurnishedoincompleteo applicationoofotheopetitioner,owithoutotheosupportingodocuments,oasoaoresulto whereof,oaoreportowasosoughtofromotheoState.oTheoreportosubmittedobyotheo Subo Divisionalo Magistrate,o Rajpurao waso lackingo ino detailso ando saido deficienciesohaveobeenonoticedoinotheoimpugnedoorder.oInotheoabsenceoofotheo aboveosaidodetails,otheocaseoofotheopetitionerocouldonotobeoconsideredoforo grantoofopensionoasotheorequisiteoeligibilityoconditionsoareonotosatisfied.ooo

11.o o Nooreplicationotootheosameohadobeenofiled.oo

12.o o Counselo foro theo petitionero haso vehementlyo arguedo thato theo respondentsohaveofailedotootakeointooconsiderationotheospecificopleadedocaseo ofotheopetitioner.oItohadobeenoaverredoinoparaoNo.5oofotheowritopetitionothato wheno theo petitionero submittedo hiso applicationo too granto ofo pensiono ono

30.05.1988,oallotheorequisiteodocumentsowereosubmittedoalongwithotheosameo alongwithocertificateoissuedobyotheoco-prisoners.oTheosaidoco-prisonersowereo summonedobyotheoDeputyoCommissioner,oPatialaoforoverificationoofotheofactso andoonobeingosatisfiedothatotheocaseoofotheopetitionerowasothatoofoaogenuineo freedomofighter,oaorecommendationowaso made.oTheosaidorecommendationo wasoacceptedoandotheopensionowasoalsooreleasedoinofavouroofotheopetitioner.o Theopetitionerodidonotopossessocopiesoofotheosaidoco-prisonersocertificateowitho himo ando theyo wereo alwayso ino possessiono ofo theo respondent-Stateo Government.ooTheoconditionsoforograntoofopensionoasonotifiedobyotheoStateoofo o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -7-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o PunjaboareosameoasohaveobeenoprescribedobyotheoGovernmentoofoIndiaoinotheo pensiono schemeo ofo 1980o ando aso such,o theo saido eligibilityo requirementso prescribedobyotheoGovernmentoofoIndiaohadobeenoverifiedobyotheorespondent-StateoofoPunjabobeforeosanctioningopensionoinofavouroofotheopetitionerovideo PPOoNo.o8273/SS/Punjabow.e.fo30.05.1988.oTheopetitionerowasonearlyo90o yearso ofo ageo wheno verificationo ino 2012o waso conductedo ando ao mereo discrepancyo ino submittingo ao responseo too theo querieso posedo byo theo Subo Divisionalo Magistrateo cannoto beo construedo thato thereo waso noo materialo available.oItoisofurtheronecessaryotoobeokeptoinomindothatotheoco-prisonersowhooo hadogivenotheirocertificatesoandotheirostatementsowereorecordedobyotheoDeputyo Commissioner,ohadoinotheomeanwhileopassedoaway.oooItowasothusonotopossibleo forotheopetitionerotoosecureoaofreshoco-prisonerocertificateotoosubstantiateohiso claim.o o Takingo advantageo ofo theo failingo healtho ofo theo petitionero ando hiso inabilityotoorememberoonoaccountoofooldoage,otheorespondentsocompletelyo ignoredotheiroearlieroverificationodoneobyoanoofficeroinotheorankoofotheoDeputyo Commissioner,o Patialao himselfo ando recommendedo theo caseo againsto theo petitioner.o o Theo Subo Divisiono Magistrateo iso ano authorityo lowero ino theo hierarchyoandorankotootheoDeputyoCommissioner.oHe,ofororeasonsounknown,o choseo noto too eveno adverto too theo earliero verificationo doneo byo theo Deputyo Commissioner,oPatialaooroverifyotheosaidorecordofromotheoarchives/recordoofo theo Collectorate,o Patiala.o Ino theo evento ofo theo documentso havingo beeno misplacedobyotheorespondents,oafterotheosameohadobeenohandedooverotooando hadobeenoverified,owhichosuchoverificationostandsocrystallizedoandovalidatedo byotheosanctionoofotheopensionobyotheorespondentothemselves,otheopetitionero cannotobeoheldoaccountableooroliable.oTheoobligationoinothatoeventualityohasotoo beodischargedobyothemoandotheosameocannotobeoconstruedotootheoprejudiceoofo o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -8-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o theopetitioneroinotheopeculiarocircumstancesoofothisocase.oHeofurtherocontendso thatoinsofaroasorelianceoonotheoproceedingsoofotheoPunjaboCommitteeoinonoto recommendingotheocaseoofotheopetitioner,oisoconcerned,oaoperusaloofotheosaido proceedingso appendedo aso Annexureo R-1o alongwitho theo replyo byo theo respondentoshowsothatotheoclaimoofotheopetitionerowasodealtowithoatoSr.oNo.o34o byotheoPunjaboCommittee.ooClaimoofooneoNishanoSinghosonoofoIsharoSingho bearingoFileoNo.o127/P/3652/89owasoalsoonotorecommendedobyotheoPunjabo Committee.oTheosaidoNishanoSinghoapproachedothisoCourtobyomeanoofoCWP-26329-2013otitledoaso"NishanoSingho(deceased)oothroughohisoLRsoversuso UnionoofoIndia".oTheostandoadoptedobyotheorespondentsoi.e.otheoUnionoofo IndiaoasowelloasotheoStateoofoPunjaboinotheocaseowasothatotheoclaimoofotheo petitionerohadonotobeenorecommendedobyotheoPunjaboCommittee.oTheosaido issueo waso consideredo byo thiso Courto ando ito waso heldo thato theo processo foro provingotheoeligibilityoinotermsoofotheoschemeodocumentowasoonostrengthoofo documentso referredo theretoo ando theo schemeo dido noto contemplateo anyo Committeeotoodetermineoanyoclaim.oItoisocontendedotheoPunjaboCommitteeo wasorequiredotooascertainotheoevidence/claimsoofotheoclaimantsowhoopleadedo undergroundosuffering,ointernmentooroexternmentoandonotoinorelationotootheo casesoofopersonsowhoohadotoosufferoimprisonmentoinomainolandojails.oTheo relevantoextractoofotheosaidojudgmentoreadsothus:o o o "Ino theo caseo ofo imprisonmento foro moreo thano sixo monthsoinotheomainlandojail,otheoallegedofreedomofighterohasotoo proveohisocaseoeitherobyowayoofoprimaryoevidenceooroifoitoisonoto availableo theno byo secondaryo evidence,o whicho Io haveo alreadyo mentionedo ino theo earliero parto ofo thiso ordero ando ino caseo ofo undergroundosuffering,ointernmentooroexternment,oseparateoseto ofo evidenceo iso requiredo too beo tenderedo ando byo virtueo ofo theo CircularoNo.08/12/81-FF(P)odatedo13.04.1982,oreliedouponobyo o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -9-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o theo Governmento ofo Indiao ando fromo theo aforesaido factso ando circumstances,o ito iso veryo mucho clearo thato theo Committeeo haso onlyotoolookointootheoevidenceotenderedotooexamineotheocaseoofo underground/internmento oro externmento too declareo ao persono claimingohimselfotoobeoaofreedomofighteroandoinoaocaseoinowhicho theocertificateohasobeenogivenobyotheoco-prisonersoofotheopoliticalo sufferingoofoaoperson,owhoohadobeenowithothemoinotheomainlando jailoonoaccountoofotheiroparticipationoinotheofreedomostruggleoforo ao periodo moreo thano sixo monthso ando sucho co-prisonerso haveo alreadyoadjudgedoasofreedomofightersoholdingoTamraoPatraoando areobeingopaidofreedomofighteropensionobothobyotheoGovernmento ofo Indiao ando Governmento ofo Punjab.o Ino theo caseo ofo 'undergroundo suffering'o ifo theo allegedo freedomo fightero haveo documentaryo evidenceo byo wayo ofo theo Court's/Government'so order,oproclaimingohimselfoasoanoabsconder,ohavingoanoawardo onohisoheadooroforohisoarrestooroorderingohisodetentionowhereotheo recordooforelevantoperiodoareonotoavailable,othenoitohasotoobeo provedobyotheoprominentofreedomofighterowhoohadoprovenojailo sufferingoofominimumotwooyearsoandowhoohappenedotoobeofromo theo sameo administrativeo unit.o Ino theo caseo ofo 'internmento oro externment',oifotheoallegedofreedomofighterohasonooorderoissuedo byo theo competento authorityo theno againo ao certificateo fromo ao prominento freedomo fighters,o whoo hado themselveso undergoneo sufferingoofoimprisonmentoforotwooyearsooromore,oisorequiredotoo beoproved.oThus,oinoviewoofothisobackground,oaoCircularoNo.08-12/81-o FF(P)o datedo 13.4.1982o waso issuedo aso pero whicho ao committeeoisoorderedotoobeoconstitutedoofoprominentofreedomo fighters,owhichoisonotoaorequirementoinotheocaseowhereoaofreedomo fightero haso claimedo pensiono ono theo basiso ofo hiso sentenceo foro moreothanosixomonthsoinotheomainlandojail,owhoohadoonlyotoo proveotheosaidofactobyowayoofocertificateoofotwooco-prisoners,o whoohadoprovenojailosufferingoforominimumooneoyearoandowereo withotheosaidoapplicantoinotheojailoforoaominimumoperiodoofosixo monthsoandoinocaseotheosaidocertificateoisoofoM.P.ooroMLAooroExo M.P.o M.L.A,o theno hiso owno affidavit/certificateo iso sufficiento o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -10-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o insteadoofocertificateobyotwooco-prisoners.oThus,oinoviewoofotheo aforesaido factso ando circumstances,o thiso Courto iso ofo theo consideredo opiniono thato theo impugnedo orderso areo patentlyo illegaloandoareothusoquashed.oRespondentoNo.1oisodirectedotoo payofreedomofighteropensionotootheopresentopetitioners,owhooareo theolegaloheirsoofoNishanoSingho(deceased),ofromotheodateoofotheo applicationoalongowithoarrearsoandorespondentoNo.2,owhoohaso beenoinfluencedobyotheoorderooforejectionopassedobyorespondento No.1,oisofurtherodirectedotoocontinueotoopayoitsofreedomofightero pensionotootheolegaloheirsoofoNishanoSingho(deceased),owhoohaveo beenoimpleadedoasoaopartyoinothisocase,oalongowithoarrears,oifo any."o

13.o o Theoaboveosaidojudgmentowasochallengedobyotheorespondentsobyo meanso ofo LPAo 1239-2017o titledo "Uniono ofo Indiao ando anothero versuso Nishano Singho deceasedo ando others".o Theo Divisiono Bencho dismissedo theo aboveosaidoLPAovideoorderodatedo31.10.2017,oprimarilyoonoaccountoofodelay.o TheoSLPoNo.o14273oofo2018owasothereafteropreferredobyotheoUnionoofoIndiao beforeotheoHon'bleoSupremeoCourt.oTheosaidoSLPowasoalsoodismissedowithoao costoofoRs.o50,000/-.oItoisofurtherosubmittedothatotheopolicyoofo2004oofotheo GovernmentoofoPunjab,oonotheobasisowhereof,ootheyocouldohaveodiscontinuedo theopensionoofopersonsowhoseoclaimowasorejectedobyotheoGovernmentoofoIndiao hasoalreadyobeenoquashed.oo

14.o o Ao furthero referenceo iso madeo byo himo too theo judgmento ofo theo Hon'bleoSupremeoCourtoinotheomatteroofo"GurdialoSinghoversusoUnionoofo India"oreportedoasoAIRo2001oSupremeoCourto3883otoocontendothatostandardo ofoproofoinosuchopensionoschemesoisonototoobeoequatedoasoinocriminalocaseso butoinofurtheranceoofotheoobjectoofotheosaidoscheme.oOnceotheounderlyingo objecto iso too honouro theo freedomo fighterso foro theiro contribution,o theo bureaucraticomindosetocannotobeoallowedotooexamineotheoclaimsowithinoobjecto o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -11-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o ofodefeatingotheointentobehindotheoscheme.oParao7oofotheoaboveosaidojudgmento readsothus:o

7.o Theostandardoofoprooforequiredoinosuchocasesoisonoto suchostandardowhichoisorequiredoinoaocriminalocaseooroinoao caseoadjudicatedouponorivalocontentionsooroevidenceoofo theoparties.oAsotheoobjectoofotheoschemeoisotoohonouroando toomitigateotheosufferingsoofothoseowhoohadogivenotheiroallo forotheocountry,oaoliberaloandonotoaotechnicaloapproachoiso requiredotoobeofollowedowhileodeterminingotheomeritsoofo theocaseoofoaopersonoseekingopensionounderotheoscheme.oIto shouldonotobeoforgottenothatotheopersonsointendedotoobeo coveredobyoschemeohaveosufferedoforotheocountryoabouto halfoaocenturyobackoandohadonotoexpectedotoobeorewardedo forotheoimprisonmentosufferedobyothem.oOnceotheocountryo haso decidedo too honouro sucho freedomo fighters,o theo bureaucratsoentrustedowithotheojoboofoexaminingotheocaseso ofosuchofreedomofightersoareoexpectedotookeepoinomindotheo purposeo ando objecto ofo theo scheme.o Theo caseo ofo theo claimantsounderothisoschemeoisorequiredotoobeodeterminedo onotheobasisoofotheoprobabilitiesoandonotoonotheotouch-stoneoofotheotestoofo'beyondoreasonableodoubt'.oOnceoono theo basiso ofo theo evidenceo ito iso probabilisedo thato theo claimantohadosufferedoimprisonmentoforotheocauseoofotheo countryoandoduringotheofreedomostruggle,oaopresumptiono isorequiredotoobeodrawnoinohisofavourounlessotheosameoiso rebuttedobyocogent,oreasonableoandoreliableoevidence.o

15.o o Itoisofurtheroarguedobyotheocounseloforotheopetitionerothatotheo respondentsohaveochosenonototooadvertotootheoearlieroinvestigation/verificationo conductedo byo theo Deputyo Commissioner,o Patialao ando haveo choseno too completelyoforegootheoconclusionsoandotheorecommendationsomadeobyotheo Governmento ofo Punjab.o Ito iso contendedo thato ito iso noto ao caseo ofo ao fresho applicationohavingobeenosubmittedobyotheopetitioner,orather,otheoentitlemento o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -12-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o ofotheopetitionerowasotoobeoadjudgedoonotheobasisoofotheoapplicationosubmittedo byohimoono30.05.1988.ooThereoisonothingoproducedobyotheorespondentsobeforeo thisoCourtoonotheobasisowhereofoitomayobeoheldothatorequisiteodocumentsohado notobeenofurnishedobyotheopetitioneroalongwithohisoapplicationooriginallyofiledo onoo30.05.1988.oTheoobligationoofotheopetitionerocouldohaveobeenocastoonlyoino caseo theo deficiencieso communicatedo byo theo Subo Divisionalo Magistrate,o Rajpuraoinotheoyearo2012owereoborneooutofromoconsiderationoofotheoerstwhileo applicationoandonotoonoaccountoofoanyointerregnumolapsesocommittedobyotheo respondent-Stateoitselfoinonotoprocessing/protectingotheodocumentsoalreadyo filedowithothemoandowereoinotheiropossession.oooo

16.o o Counseloforotheorespondent-Stateoonotheootherohandoarguedothato foro considerationo ofo theo claimo ino termso ofo theo applicableo policy,o ano applicanto iso requiredo too fulfilo theo eligibilityo conditionso stipulatedo thereunder.o Sinceotheo requisiteodocumentoinosupportoofotheoclaimo ofotheo petitioneroforohavingoundergoneoimprisonmentoforoaoperiodoofomoreothano06o monthsoasoaopartoofotheofreedomomovement,oisonotoestablishedoinoviewoofotheo reportosubmittedobyotheoSuboDivisionaloMagistrate,othereowasohence,onoo erroroinotheoorderopassedobyotheorespondents.oo

17.o o WhileorespondingotootheorecommendationsomadeobyotheoPunjabo Committeeoaboutotheoentitlementoofotheopetitioneroandotheojudgmentopassedo inotheomatteroofoNishanoSingho(supra),ocounseloforotheorespondentocontendso thatotheosameoisoaomatterooforecordoandoheowouldonotobeoinoaopositionotoo disputeo theo applicabilityo ofo theo sameo settingo asideo ofo theo Punjabo Committees'oscopeoinorelationotooconsiderationoofotheocasesoofotheofreedomo fightersowhoowereolodgedoinomainolandojails.oFurther,oheodoesonotodisputeo theofactothatotheoamendedopolicyoofotheoStateoofoPunjabonotifiedoinotheoyearo o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -13-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o 2004ohasobeenoquashedobyotheoHighoCourt.oo

18.o o Counseloappearingoonobehalfoofotheorespondent-StateoofoPunjabo doesonotodisputeotheoavermentsoraisedoinoParaoNo.o5oofotheowritopetition.oTheo responseosubmittedobyotheorespondent-StateoofoPunjaboinotheiroreplyoisothato "Contentsoofotheoparaoareomatterooforecord".oTheospecificocontentionoraisedo byotheopetitionerothatotheoaffidavitsoofotheoco-prisonersonamelyoInderoSingho ando Bahalo Singho hado beeno furnishedo ando verifiedo haso thuso remainedo uncontroverted.oAospecificoreferenceoisoalsoomadeothatoafteroverificationobyo theoDeputyoCommissioner,oPatiala,oaorecommendationowasomadeoandowhicho sucho recommendationo waso acceptedo byo theo respondents.o Theo haveo alsoo failedo too rebuto theo submissiono thato conditionso prescribedo byo theo GovernmentoofoPunjabofororeleaseoofotheopensionotootheofreedomofightersoiso paraomateriaotootheoeligibilityoconditionsoprescribedobyotheoGovernmentoofo Indiaoinoitsoschemeoofo1980.oItois,ohowever,ocontendedothatotheoclaimoofotheo petitionero waso re-verifiedo pursuanto too theo objections/communicationo receivedofromotheoGovernmentoofoIndiaoandotheoSuboDivisionaloMagistrateo hadobeenodeputedotooverifyotheocontents.oTheopetitionerohimselfodoesonoto disputeotheofactothatotheoSuboDivisionaloMagistrateohadovisitedotheopetitionero andotheoanswersowereorecorded.oSheocontendsothatosheoisonotoinoaopositionotoo commento ono theo availabilityo ofo theo recordo pertainingo too theo earliero verificationodoneobyotheorespondents,ohowever,otheofactumoofotheopetitionero beingograntedopensionocontinuouslyosinceo30.05.1988oisonotodenied.oo

19.o o Io haveo heardo learnedo counselo appearingo ono behalfo ofo theo respectiveo partieso ando haveo goneo througho theo documentso availableo ono record.oo

20.o o Theoessentialoconditionsoofotheoeligibilityoasoprescribedoinotheo o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -14-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o schemeodocumentoreadothus:-o o o o 3.oo WHOoISoELIGIBLE?o o ForotheopurposeoofograntoofoSammanopensionounderotheo scheme,oaofreedomofighterois:-o

(a)kAopersonowhoohadosufferedoaominimumoimprisonmento ofo sixo monthso ino theo mainlando jailso beforeo Independence.o However,o ex-INAo personnelo willo beo eligibleo foro pensiono ifo theo imprisonment/detentiono sufferedo byo themo waso outsideo India.o Theo minimumo periodo ofo actualo imprisonmento foro eligibilityo ofo pensionohasobeenoreducedotoothreeomonths,oinocaseoofo womenoandoSC/STofreedomofightersofromo01.08.1980.o EXPLANATIONo

1.oDetentionounderotheoordersoofotheocompetentoauthorityo willobeoconsideredoasoimprisonment.o

2.oPeriodoofonormaloremissionouptoooneomonthowillobeo treatedoasopartoofoactualoimprisonment.o

3.oInotheocaseoofoaotrialoendingoinoconviction,ounderotrialo periodo willo beo countedo towardso actualo imprisonmento suffered.o

4.oBrokenoperiodoofoimprisonmentowillobeototalledoupoforo computingotheoqualifyingoperiod.o

(b)oAopersonowhooremainedoundergroundoforomoreothano sixomonthsoprovidedoheowas:o

1.oaoproclaimedooffender;ooro

2.o oneo ono whomo ano awardo foro arrest/heado waso announced;ooro

3.o oneo foro whoseo detentiono ordero waso issuedo buto noto served.o

(c)oAopersonointernedoinohisohomeooroexternedofromohiso districto providedo theo periodo ofo internment/externmento wasosixomonthsooromore.o

(d)o Ao persono whoseo propertyo waso confiscatedo oro attachedoandosoldodueo too participationoinotheo freedomo o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -15-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o struggle.o

(e)o Ao persono whoo becameo permanentlyo incapacitatedo duringofiringoorolathiocharge.o

(f)o Ao persono whoo losto hiso jobo (Centralo oro Stateo Government)o ando thuso meanso ofo livelihoodo foro participationoinonationalomovement."o Xxxxo xxxxo xxxxxoxxxxxoxxxxxoxxxxo o

7.o HOWo TOo PROVEo THEo CLAIMSo (EVIDENCEo REQUIRED)o o Theo applicanto shouldo furnisho theo documentso indicatedobelowowhicheveroisoapplicable:-o o

(a)oIMPRISONMENT/DETENTIONoETC.o o o Certificateo fromo theo concernedo jailo authorities,o DistrictoMagistratesoorotheoStateoGovernmentoinocaseoofo non-availabilityo ofo sucho certificateso co-o prisonero certificatesofromoaosittingoMPooroMLAooroEx-MPooroex-MLAo specifyingo theo jailo periodo (Annexure-Io ino theo applicationoform.)o o o o o o oooooo(EmphasisoSupplied)o o o

21.o o Theoaboveorequirementoisofurtheroestablishedofromotheoresponseo filedobyotheoUnionoofoIndiaoinoParaoNo.3,owhichoreadsothus:o

3.oTheoapplicantoshouldofurnishotheodocumentsoindicatedo below.o whichevero iso applicable,o ino ordero too proveo hiso claimedo sufferingso foro granto ofo pensiono undero theo Scheme:-o

(a)o Ino caseo ofo imprisonmento ao certificateo fromo theo concernedojailoauthorityoDistrictoMagistrateoorotheoStateo Governmentoindicatingotheoperiodoofosentenceoawarded,o dateoofoadmission,odateooforelease,ofactsoofotheocaseoando reasonso foro release.o Ino caseo recordso ofo theo relevanto periodoareonotoavailableoaoNon-AvailabilityoofoRecordso Certificateo (NARC)o fromo theo concernedo Stateo o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -16-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o Governmento alongo witho twoo Co-Prisonero Certificateso

(CPC)o fromo freedomo fighterso whoo hado ao proveno jailo sufferingso ofo minimumo 1o yearo ando whoo wereo witho theo applicantoinotheojailoforoaominimumoperiodoofosixomonths.o InocaseotheocertifierohappensotoobeoaosittingoM.P.ooroMLAo oroEx.oM.P./M.L.A,oonlyooneoCo-Prisoners'oCertificateoino Placeoofotwooisorequired."o o o o o o ooooo(EmphasisoSupplied)o

22.o o Itoisoevidentofromoaoperusaloofotheoaboveothatoaopersonowhoohaso sufferedoimprisonmentoforoaoperiodoofomoreothano06omonthsoinomainolando jailsobeforeoindependenceoandoinorelationotootheofreedomostruggleowouldobeo entitledotootheoSammanopensionoinotheoeventoofohisofurnishingoevidenceoino theoformoofocertificateofromotheoconcernedojailoauthority,oDistrictoMagistrateo ofo theo Stateo Governmento indicatingo theo periodo ofo sentenceo awarded.o However,oinotheocasesowhereotheorecordooforelevantoperiodoareonotoavailable,o certificateofromotwooco-prisoner'sowasorequiredotoobeofurnished.oTheosaido co-prisonersoshouldohaveoprovenojailosufferingoofominimumooneoyearoando shouldohaveobeenoinocustodyoalongwithotheoapplicantoinotheosameojailoforoao minimumoperiodoofo06omonths.ooo

23.o o Ito haso alsoo remainedo undisputedo beforeo thiso Courto thato ano applicationoforograntoofopensionounderotheoSammanoPensionoSchemeowaso submittedo foro theo firsto timeo byo theo petitionero hereino ono 30.05.1988o alongwithocompleteoparticularsoandoalsootheocertificatesoissuedobyotheotwoo co-prisonersowhoohadoundergoneoaojailosufferingoofomoreothanooneoyear.oTheo aforesaido certificateso wereodulyo verifiedobyo theo DistrictoMagistrate-cum-Deputyo Commissioner,o Patialao ando theiro statementso wereo recordedo theno beforeotheoDeputyoCommissionerowho,oafterobeingosatisfied,oforwardedotheo caseoofotheopetitioneroforograntoofopensionotootheoStateoGovernment.oTheo o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -17-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o sanctiono waso subsequentlyo alsoo grantedo byo theo Stateo Governmento ando pensiono benefitso wereo releasedo ino favouro ofo theo petitioner.o Ito iso furthero remainedouncontrovertedothatotheoaforesaidotwooco-prisonersonamelyoBahalo SinghoandoInderoSinghohadobeenoavailingotheofreedomofighteropensiononoto onlyo fromo theo Stateo ofo Punjabo buto alsoo fromo theo Governmento ofo India.o Hence,otheirostatusoasofreedomofighterohasoremainedouncontroverted.oTheo respondent-State,o whileo respondingo too theo specifico pleao raisedo byo theo petitioneroinoParaoNo.5oofotheowritopetitionoaboutotheoprocessocompletedobyo theorespondents'obeforeosanctionoofotheopensionoinofavouroofotheopetitionero haso remainedo undisputed.o Rather,o theo respondent-Stateo ofo Punjabo haso specificallyoadmittedotheosameotoobeomatterooforecord.oo

24.o o Ato theo sameo time,o ito iso reflectedo fromo theo replyo ofo theo respondentoNo.1-UnionoofoIndiaothatowhenotheomatteroofotheopetitionerowaso putoupobeforeotheoUnionoofoIndiaoforograntoofopensionoatoanoearlierooccasion,o theosameowasodeclinedovideoorderodatedo18.02.1991oonlyoonotheostrengthoofo theorecommendationonotohavingobeenomadeobyotheoPunjaboCommittee.oTheo saidoCommitteeoreportohadobeenoattachedoasoAnnexureoR-2owithotheopresento reply.o Notwithstandingo thato theo saido recommendationso areo non-speakingo andodoonotoreferotooanyodetailsoasotoowhyotheoCommitteeodidonotofindoito feasibleo too recommendo theo caseo ofo theo petitioner.o Theo authorityo ofo theo CommitteeotooexamineosuchoclaimohasoitselfobeenosetoasideobyotheoHigho Court.oHence,othereowasonoopowerooroauthorityowithotheoCommitteeotoomakeo sucho recommendation.o Ito iso incomprehensibleo aso too whato waso theo basis/materialoavailableobeforeotheoPunjaboCommittee,owhileoconsideringo theoclaimsosubmittedobyotheovariousopersons,o&owhyotheosameowasorejectedo Further,o eveno thougho theo proceedingso hado beeno heldo ino theo montho ofo o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -18-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o January,o1991,ohowever,otheodocumentoappendedoasoAnnexureoR-1oandoR-2o byotheorespondentsofailotoodiscloseotheomaterialothatowasoplacedobeforeotheo authoritieso ando ono theo basiso whereofo theo Committeeo recommendedo ao rejectionoofotheoclaimomadeobyotheoclaimantsotherein.oNoosuchomaterial,oaso wasoplacedobeforeotheoCommittee,ohasobeenomentionedoeitheroinotheowritteno statemento oro haso beeno producedo beforeo thiso Courto duringo theo courseo ofo arguments.oTheoorderothusoisonon-speakingoandocannotobeoconsideredoasoao validoorderoatoall.oBeothatoasoitomay,othereoisonoonecessityoofogoingointootheo aforesaido issueo anyo furthero sinceo thiso Court,o ino theo judgmento ofo Nishano Singho (supra)o haso alreadyo heldo thato theo Punjabo Committeeo waso noto competentotooexamineotheocasesoofotheoprisonersowhoowereoimprisonedoino maino lando jailso ando thato ino theo absenceo ofo theo record,o theo co-prisonerso certificateowhoohadoundergoneomoreothanooneoyearoofosentenceowouldobeo sufficient.o

25.o o oSignificantly,otheoco-prisoners'owhoohadoissuedotheocertificateo inofavouroofotheopetitionerohavingoremainedoinocustodyoforomoreothano06o monthsoinorelationotootheoQuitoIndiaoMovement,oareoundisputedlyofreedomo fightersoandotheorespondent-StateoasowelloasotheoGovernmentoofoIndiaohado releasedopensionaryobenefitsoinofavouroofotheoco-prisoners.oHence,otheostatuso ofotheoco-prisonersoandotheiroentitlementotooissueotheocertificateoinotermsoofo theopolicyoframedobyotheoGovernmentoofoIndiaoremainsoestablished.oo

26.o o Ito iso alsoo noticedo thato theo earliero ordero passedo byo theo respondent-UnionoofoIndiaoino18.02.1991oisobasedosolelyoonotheoabsenceoofo recommendationomadeobyotheoPunjaboCommitteeoandoisonotoonoaccountoofo failureoonotheopartoofotheopetitionerotooappendotheodocumentsoinorelationotoo hisoimprisonment.oTheodeficienciesoasohaveobeenonoticedonowobyotheoSubo o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -19-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o DivisionaloMagistrate,oRajpuraoandoreliedouponobyotheorespondent-Unionoofo Indiaodoonotofindomentionoinotheoearlieroorderooforejection.oAccordingly,othiso Courto haso too necessaryo drawno ano inferenceo thato allo theo othero necessaryo documentsoi.e.otheocertificatesobyotheoco-prisonersohadobeenosent/forwardedo byotheoStateoGovernmentotootheoGovernmentoofoIndiaoforoconsiderationoofo theoclaim.ooHadothereobeenoanyosuchodeficiencies,othereowasonoooccasionoforo noto mentioningo abouto theo sucho defectso whileo rejectingo theo claimo ofo theo petitionero theno video ordero datedo 18.02.1991.o Wheno theo onlyo basiso foro rejectiono ofo claimo earliero waso nono recommendationo byo theo Punjabo Committee,oforoconsideringotheoentitlementoofotheopetitioneroforograntoofo freedomo fighterso pension,o theo respondentso cannot,o thereaftero makeo improvemento upono theiro owno ordero ando substituteo theo reasonso availableo withothemoforoanyosubsequentodevelopmento&otoocallouponotheopetitionerotoo tenderotheoevidenceoafresh.o

27.o o Further,otheocaseoalsooneedsotoobeoconsideredoinolightoofotheo objectiveo aso culledo outo byo theo Hon'bleo Supremeo Courto ino theo mattero ofo "GurdialoSinghovesusoUnionoofoIndia"o(supra)owherein,owhileodealingowitho theo issueso ofo imposingo theo burdeno ono ao claimant,o theo Hon'bleo Supremeo CourtospecificallyoheldoinoParao7oofotheosaidojudgmentothatotheoobjectoofotheo SwatantraoSainikoSammanooPensionoSchemeowasotoofacilitateoandohonouro theosacrificesomadeobyotheofreedomofighters.oTheoactoofobestowingohowevero onoaopersonocannotobeodefeatedobyoimposingoanoobligationotooproveotheo eligibilityo beyondo reasonableo doubt.o o Onceo sufficiento materialo ando contemporaneousoevidenceohasobeenobroughtoforth,oaoclaimantooughtonototoo beoexposedotoogreateroharassment.oTheoprocessoofoconferringohonouroshouldo notobeomadeoasoaoprocessoofoincarcerationoofoaoclaimant.oConsideringothato o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -20-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o theopetitionerowasolodgedoinotheojailsoatoLahore,oasoitowasothen,ohence,oito cannotobeoperceivedo thato heo wouldobeoinopossessionoofotheorecordo fromo LahoreoJailoorobeoinoaopositionotooprocureotheosame.ooTheogroundorealitieso oughtonototoobeocompletelyooverlookedobyotheorespondents-authoritiesowhileo consideringotheoclaimsoofotheofeedomofighters.oTheopetitioneroisostatedotoobeo nowo99oyearsoofoageoapproximateoandoasosuch,oheowasonearlyo89oyearsoofo ageo ino theo yearo 2012o wheno theo Subo Divisionalo Magistrate,o Rajpurao purportedlyocontactedotheopetitionerotoomakeoenquiriesoinorelationotooclaimo madeobyohim.ooTheospecificocaseoofotheopetitionerowasothatoonoaccountoofooldo age,oheowasoofohardoofohearingoandosufferedofromonearlyo93%odeafnessoando henceowasonotoinoaopositionotooansweroallotheoquestions.oTheorespondent-authoritieso wereo thuso requiredo too keepo theo aforesaido issueo ino theiro mindo whileoposingotheoqueries.oTheopetitionerowasoleftohandicappedoasoaoresultotheo delayooccasionedobyotheorespondentothemselvesoinoprocessingotheorightfulo claimoofotheopetitioneroandonotoforwardingotheosameoasoperotheoprocedureo prescribedoinotheoschemeodocumentoandointroducingoaomechanismowhichoiso notoprovidedoinotheoscheme.oClaimsowereobeingodeclinedoforonooreasons.o Insteadoofo takingo responsibilityo ofo havingo misplacedo theodocuments,otheo authoritieso optedo too addo too theo struggleo ofo theo freedomo fighter.o Havingo causedotheodelay,otheorespondentsocannotothereafteropassoonotheoburdenotoo theo petitionero too re-establisho hiso claimo especiallyo wheno theo co-prisonerso haveopassoawayoinotheomeanwhile.oItowasonecessaryoforotheoSuboDivisionalo MagistrateotoohaveoverifiedofromotheorecordsoofotheoofficeoofotheoDeputyo Commissioner,oPatialaooandoalsooavailableoalongwithotheosanctionoorderoNo.o 8273owherebyotheopensionohadobeenosanctionedoinofavouroofotheopetitionero aso too whethero theo propero documentationo hado beeno submittedo byo theo o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -21-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o petitionero ando aso too whethero theo dueo reportso aftero verificationo ofo theo documentsohadobeenofurnishedobyotheoDistrictoCollectorooronot.o

28.o o oTheofactumoofograntoofosanctionoandoreleaseoofopensionobyotheo respondento leadso too onlyo oneo lawfulo inferenceo i.e.o thato allo requisiteo formalitieso ando eligibilityo conditionso hado beeno dulyo fulfilledo byo theo petitionero herein.o Theo aboveo saido aspecto findso furthero supporto fromo theo subsequentodecisionoofotheoGovernmentoofoIndiaodatedo18.02.1991owhereino noosuchodeficiencyoorodefectoinotheoapplicationosubmittedobyotheopetitionero hasobeenopointedooutoandotheoonlyoreasonofororejectionoofotheoclaimosightedo iso theo non-recommendationo byo theo Punjabo Committee.o Aso heldo byo thiso Courto ino ao judgmento thato haso alreadyo attainedo finality,o thato theo Punjabo Committeeo waso noto competento too examineo theo caseso ofo theo claimants/freedomofightersowhoohasosufferedomainolandoimprisonmentoforoao periodo ofo moreo thano 06o months,o Io failo too understando howo theo aforesaido reasonocouldohaveosustainedoanyofurther.oItowasothenoincumbentouponotheo respondent-Stateotoohaveoforwardedotheoclaimoofotheopetitioneroforograntoofo pensionoafterotracingotheiroownorecord.oFurther,oinotheoeventoofoanyosucho documentso goingo amisso fromo theo recordo ofo theo respondent-State,o theo liabilityo thereofo cannoto beo imposedo oro transferredo too theo petitioner.o Theo respondent-State,ohavingo failedotooretaino itsopaperso ando havingonotobeeno ableotoocontrovertotheoclaimomadeoinotheopetitionocannotorelyoonoitsoowno lapsesotoodenyowhatohasorightfullyoaccruedoinofavouroofotheopetitioner.o o

29.o o Ino viewo ofo theo aforesaido factualo circumstanceso ando theo contemporaneouso documents/evidenceo availableo ono record,o Io amo ofo theo viewo thato theo petitionero hado dulyo submittedo theo requisiteo documentso alongwithohisoapplicationodatedo30.05.1988otootheoStateoGovernmentoando o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -22-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o theosameowasodulyoverified.ooHeocannotobeocalledouponotoorefurnishothoseo documentso moreo soo wheno theo personso whoo issuedo theo certificateso haveo passedo awayo duringo theo interregnum.o Onceo theo receipto ofo theo saido documentsoandopleadingsoinothisoregardoareonotodisputedoorodeniedobyotheo respondents,otheyocannotobeopermittedoatothisostageotooreopenotheoaspectso thatoareoalreadyoclosed.o

30.o o oTheo respondent-Stateo ofo Punjabo iso accordinglyo directedo too traceoitsorecordopertainingotootheoapplicationodatedo30.05.1988osubmittedobyo theo petitionero alongwitho theo verificationo conductedo byo theo Deputyo Commissioner,o Patiala.o o Theo aboveo saido exerciseo beo conductedo byo theo respondent-StateoofoPunjabowithinoaoperiodoofo06oweeksoofoaoreceiptoofo certifiedocopyoofothisoorder.oo

31.o o Inotheoeventosuchodocuments/recordoisotraced,otheosameoshallobeo forwarded,o completeo ino allo particularso too theo Governmento ofo Indiao foro necessaryo processingo and/sanctiono ino termso ofo theo applicableo schemeo documents.oHowever,owhereotheorecordoestablishesothatoallosuchodocumentso wereoforwardedotootheoGovernmentoofoIndia,otheorequisiteoproofoshallobeo conveyedotootheoGovernmentoofoIndia.oo

32.o o Thato theo respondent-Uniono ofo Indiao shallo thereaftero takeo ao considerateodecisionoonotheostrengthoofotheodocumentsoandotheoconditionso eligibilityo aso prescribedo ino theo schemeo document.o Ifo thereo iso noo defect/deficiencyonoticedoinotheosaidodocumentsofurnishedoono30.05.1988,o theo requisiteo pensionaryo benefitso shallo beo releasedo ino favouro ofo theo petitionerow.e.f.otheodateoofotheoapplication/framingoofotheoschemeowithinoao periodoofo08oweeksothereafter.oItoisofurtheromadeoclearothatoinocaseotheosaido decisionoisonototakenoand/orotheobenefitsoadmissibleotootheopetitioneroisonoto o CWP-15066-2013o(O&M)o -23-oo 2023:PHHC:132639o o releasedo ino theo aboveo saido periodo ofo 08o weeks,o theo petitionero shallo beo entitledotoointeresto@o6o%operoannumofromotheodateoofofilingoofotheopresento petitionotillodisbursementoofotheodues.o

33.o o Theorespondent-StateoofoPunjabomay,oifosooadvised,oforwardoallo suchosupportingodocuments/evidenceoasoareoinoitsopossessionoandoasomayo establisho theo claimo ofo theo petitionero too beo admissibleo ino termso ofo theo SwatantraoSainikoSammanoPensionoScheme,o1990,oasoamended.oNeedlessotoo mentiono thato ao reasonedo ando ao speakingo ordero shallo beo passedo byo theo respectiveoauthoritiesowithokeepingoinomindotheoobjectoofotheoschemeorathero theno takingo ao ministerialo viewo ino theo mattero ando subjectingo ano applicant/beneficiaryotoouncalledoforohardship.oo

34.o o Furtheroinotheoeventotheorespondent-StateoofoPunjaboisonotoinoao positiono too traceo theo saido fileo and/oro theo documentso theno appended,o theo respondent-StateoofoPunjaboshallothenohaveotoopayotheopensionaryobenefitso asoprescribedounderotheoschemeoofotheoGovernmentoofoIndiaotootheopetitionero hereinoonotheotermsomentionedoabove,oifotheoGovernmentoofoIndiaodeclineso toomakeotheopaymentoforowantoofodocuments.oooo

35.o o Theopetitionoisoaccordinglyoallowedoinotermsoasoaforesaid.ooo

36.o o Allo theo pendingo miscellaneouso application(s),o ifo any,o areo alsoo disposedoof.ooo o o o oo o o o o o (VINODoS.oBHARDWAJ)oo OCTOBERo11,o2023o o o o o oooooJUDGEo VishaloSharmao o o o Whetherospeaking/reasonedo :o Yes/Noo o o o ooooooooWhetheroReportableo ooooooo:o oooooooYes/Noo o