Jagdamba Devi vs Union Of India And Ors

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision in LPA No.1348 of 2012, affirming the rejection of the appellant's claim for dependent family pension under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme, 1980. The Court noted that the deceased, Hari Kant Jha, did not meet the statutory requirement of serving a minimum of six months in detention, as he was only imprisoned for thirteen days. The Court emphasized the necessity of fulfilling eligibility criteria under the Scheme, thereby reinforcing the legal principle that adherence to statutory mandates is essential for entitlement to benefits under pension schemes.