SURJA AND OTHERS vs UNION OF INDIA AND ANR.

The Supreme Court, while adjudicating a writ petition under Article 32, held that petitioners, who participated in the Arya Samaj movement and were imprisoned for over six months, are entitled to benefits under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme. The Court noted that the previous decision in Duli Chand & Ors. v. Union of India was not applicable due to factual disputes raised by the respondents. The Court emphasized that the eligibility for pension is contingent upon the duration of imprisonment served, which was established in the case.