By IANS,
New Delhi : The Delhi High Court Friday asked the government to grant a freedom fighter’s pension to a man who participated in the struggle against the Nizam’s government during the British rule.
Justice Valmiki J. Mehta allowed the petition of Pratapani Muthaiah seeking pension under the Swatantrata Sainik Sanman Pension Scheme, as his case was approved by the Hyderabad Special Screening Committee since he complied with all the terms and conditions of the scheme.
The court also ordered that Muthaiah will be entitled to all the arrears from the date of his making the application of pension. He will also be entitled of interest at 6 percent per annum from the date of filing of the case till the time the arrears of pension are paid.
“It is an undisputed position that the petitioner’s case was recommended by the Hyderabad Special Screening Committee for grant of pension… Considering the fact that the respondent (centre) is not disputing that the petitioner did apply under the scheme, he was qualified under this scheme and therefore this case was proved by the Screening Committee, is sufficient to allow the present writ petition,” the court said.
“Particularly the fact that the petitioner’s case was approved by the Hyderabad Special Screening Committee, and which must obviously be because the petitioner has complied with all theterms and conditions of the scheme.”
Filing the plea, Muthaiah said that he participated in the freedom struggle against the Nizam’s government. On Nov 19, 1987, he applied for the pension and gave the necessary papers alongwith the certificates of proof of freedom fighter.
He said that his case was recommended by the Hyderabad Special Screening Committee, but the central government did not release the pension, so he moved the court in 1998.