State Of Tamil Nadu & Anr vs A. Manicham Pillai

The Supreme Court held that the denial of a freedom fighter's pension to A. Manickam Pillai was unjustified despite the absence of co-prisoner certificates from government-approved certifiers as mandated by Government Order No.30 dated 7th February 1996. The Court emphasized that the respondent's status as a freedom fighter was undisputed and that the recommendations from two Collectors and the District Level Screening Committee should suffice for pension eligibility. The Court affirmed the High Court's decision to grant the pension, thereby upholding the principle that procedural rigidity should not overshadow the recognition of genuine contributions to the freedom struggle.