Shimla, Aug 18
Himachal Pradesh High court today dismissed the Union Govt’s appeal to challenge the order of grant of pension to the widow of a freedom fighter and veteran of 2nd world war with effect from Apr, 4, 1974 , the HC directed the Centre to pay all the arrears of pension including the interest to her.
Division Bench comprising of Acting Chief Justice Ravi Malimath and Justice Jyotsna Rewa Dua, passed these orders in an appeal filed by the Union of India challenging the order passed in a Writ Petition by the Single Judge.
The writ petitioner Brahmi Devi had sought directions to the Centre and State Government to grant Freedom Fighter’s Pension to her, being widow of Freedom Fighter Late Shri Dhani Ram. The Petitioner had submitted that Late Shri Dhani Ram served in the Dogra Regiment as a Sepoy till 1946 and participated in World War-II by joining the Indian Army from 1939 to 1945.
He was awarded the Pacific Star, the Defence Medal and the War Medal. He alongwith similarly placed persons were declared as freedom fighters of the Nation.
In 1973, the State of Himachal Pradesh issued a letter to award Tamrapatras to the freedom fighters in the Districts of Bilaspur, Mandi, Hamirpur and Kullu and the petitioner’s husband Sh. Dhani Ram’s name was at Serial No.37 alongwith one another freedom fighter Sh. Lashkari Ram (Lance Naik), .
On Aug 15, 1973, Tamrapatra was awarded to Sh. Dhani Ram. That Late Shri Dhani Ram was a freedom fighter, was acknowledged by the Deputy Commissioner Bilaspur and he was also issued an Identity Card.
The Single Bench had allowed the petition on Sep 29, 2016 and had observed that it is proved on record that the husband of the petitioner was freedom fighter and therefore, was entitled for grant of freedom fighter pension from due with effect from Apr 4, 1974.
Centre Government had filed the appeal against the orders of the Single Judge, Disposing off the appeal, HC observed that there is sufficient material on record, which is not disputed by the appellants, that Lashkari Ram was along with the writ petitioner in the freedom struggle and the names of both figured in the list of Tamrapatra.
The Court has directed the Central Government to file compliance by August 23, 2021.
