SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

Before:- Ajay Prakash Misra and D.P. Mohapatra, JJ.

Writ Petn. (Civil) No. 652 of 1998. D/d. 13.4.2000.

Shakuntala Devi and others - Petitioner

Versus

Union of India and another - Respondents

Pension - Freedom Fighter's pension - Grant of - Under Central scheme - Application to be made in the prescribed form before State Government - Further direction issued.

[Paras 2 and 3]

ORDER

Ajay Prakash Misra, J. - We are informed that the petitioner No. 4 is dead. Therefore, writ petition against petitioner No. 4 is dismissed. The petitioners seek direction to the respondent to grant them freedom fighter pension under Central Scheme in view of Annexures 'A', 'B', 'C'and 'D'.

2. The respondent, Union of India, raised objection in the counter affidavit that the petitioners have not applied in the prescribed forms before the State Authority for the grant of pension for freedom fighters. It is said that in case if any application is made in the prescribed form to the State Government within a period of one month from today the respondent will consider petitioners' case in accordance with law.

3. Accordingly, we dispose of this petition with the direction, if any application is made in the prescribed form by the petitioners to the State Government within one month from today, the State Government will forward with comments to the Union of India within two months thereafter. The Union of India within two months after the receipt of the aforesaid comments from the State Government, will dispose of petitioners' claim in accordance with law.

4. With the aforesaid observation, the writ petition stands disposed of.

Order accordingly.