UNION OF INDIA vs AVTAR SINGH

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which granted pension to the respondent under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme, 1980, despite discrepancies in the dates of imprisonment claimed. The Court noted that while the respondent's application lacked a jail certificate, the High Court found the differences in affidavit dates inconsequential. The Court emphasized that strict rules of evidence do not apply in such cases, referencing Gurdial Singh vs. Union of India and W.B. Freedom Fighters’ Organisation v. Union of India, ultimately affirming the High Court's ruling.