SC imposes Rs 50,000 cost on Central Govt. for challenging grant of LFP to a soldier’s widow

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Supreme Court: While considering the instant appeal revolving around grant of Liberalised Family Pension to a deceased army personnel’s widow; the Division Bench of Abhay S. Oka* and Augustine George Masih, JJ., took note that the deceased was working in extreme climatic conditions as part of Operation Rakshak and died due to illness caused by these extreme conditions. The Court further pointed out that in a matter like the instant case, where army personnel died as a result of a war-like situation prevailing near Line of Control (LoC), the appellant should have been sympathetic to the widow of a deceased soldier who died in harness instead of dragging her to the Court. The Court dismissed the appeal and imposed costs of Rs.50,000 on Union of India to be payable to the wife within 2 months from the date of this decision.

The deceased soldier was employed in the Indian Army and was part of an Area Domination Patrol Domination Patrol which was launched from Manjit Main to Rangwar Post for domination of the Rangwar gap in the proximity of the LoC along the Anti Infiltration Obstacle System (‘AIOS’). A fence was built by the Indian Army to prevent cross-border infiltration is known as AIOS. The soldier complained of breathlessness during duty in extreme climatic conditions on 23-1-2013. He was taken to the nearby Rangwar Post. The regimental medical officer found the condition of the soldier very critical. He could not be air-evacuated due to bad weather. Therefore, he was evacuated on foot. When he was taken to Chowkibal’s MI room, he was declared dead. The cause of death was cardiopulmonary arrest. His death was initially classified as a ‘battle casualty’ but was later classified as a ‘physical casualty’ attributable to military service.

The deceased soldier’s widow was granted all terminal benefits, including a special family pension, but she was denied Liberalised Family Pension (LFP). Hence, she filed an application before the Armed Forces Tribunal. The Tribunal directed that the soldier’s widow be granted LFP and ex-gratia lumpsum amount payable in case of battle casualties dying in harness.

Aggrieved with the afore-stated order, the Union Government filed the instant appeal.

Counsel for the appellant argued that deceased soldier died due to cardiopulmonary arrest, his case was classified as a ‘physical casualty’ attributable to military service, and, therefore, the widow was paid a special family pension. It was stated that the view taken by the Tribunal was erroneous.

Perusing the matter, the Court observed that the Tribunal found that the deceased soldier’s case fell under Category E(f) of Order dated 31-1-2001 issued by Director (Pensions) that governs LFP.

The Court considered whether the deceased soldier’s case falls under the category of ‘battle casualty’ under Category E(f). Taking note of the facts surrounding the soldier’s death, the Court pointed out that on the date of the death, the deceased was posted with his battalion in Jammu and Kashmir as part of Operation Rakshak. He was part of an Area Domination Patrol for domination of the Rangwar gap in the proximity of LoC. He was doing duty from 1.00 a.m. to 3.30 a.m. The Court noted that the soldier’s death can be attributed to illness caused by extreme climatic conditions because the deceased was operating near LoC in extreme climatic conditions.

The soldier was a victim of illness caused by extreme climatic conditions. Therefore, the case of the deceased will fall in the category of ‘Battle Casualties’ as per clause 1 (g) of Appendix ‘A’ of the Army Order 1 of 2003.

The Court further pointed out that Category E(f) is attracted when death arises as a result of war-like situations. The definition of death as a result of war-like situations is an inclusive definition, and the case cannot remain confined to subclauses (i) to (iii) of category E (f). In the instant case, the death has occurred because of a war-like situation prevailing near LoC.

Therefore, the Court concurred with the view taken by the Tribunal that category E(f) was applicable on the deceased soldier’s widow. The Court further observed that the Government should have shown sympathy instead of dragging the widow to the Court. Therefore, the Court directed the implementation of Tribunal’s order regarding grant of LFP and imposed costs on the Union of India.



CASE DETAILS​


Citation:
CIVIL APPEAL No. 13730 OF 2024

Appellants :
Union of India

Respondents :
Saroj Devi

Advocates who appeared in this case

For Petitioner(s):

Vikramjeet Banerjee, Additional Solicitor General

For Respondent(s):
K Parameshwar, Senior counsel

CORAM :





Augustine George Masih, J.

Augustine George Masih, J.

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