S.K. MASTAN BEE vs GENERAL MANAGER,SOUTH CENT.RAILWAY

The Supreme Court held that the appellant, a widow of a Railway employee, was entitled to family pension from the date of her husband's death on 21st November 1969, despite a delay in claiming it until 1991. The Court emphasized that the denial of pension constituted a violation of the appellant's fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The Court overturned the Division Bench's limitation on the retrospective benefit, asserting that the delay in approaching authorities should not bar her rightful claim.