STATE OF TAMIL NADU vs A. MANICHAM PILLAI

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the High Court granting a freedom fighter's pension to A. Manickam Pillai, despite the absence of co-prisoner certificates from government-approved certifiers as mandated by Government Order No.30 dated 7th February 1996. The Court found that the recommendations from two Collectors and the District Level Screening Committee were sufficient to establish the respondent's eligibility. The Court emphasized that the respondent's status as a freedom fighter was undisputed, and thus, the rigid adherence to the certificate requirement was not warranted in this case, affirming the lower court's ruling under Article 136 of the Constitution.