HC asks Centre to grant freedom fighter pension to man

The Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to grant freedom fighter pension to a man who had participated in Hyderabad freedom struggle against the Nizam government which was supported by the British.
Allowing the plea of Pratapani Muthaiah seeking pension under the Swatantrata Sainik Sanman Pension Scheme, Justice Valmiki J Mehta said, "Muthaiah's case was approved by the Hyderabad Special Screening Committee because he has complied with all the terms and conditions of the scheme..."
The court also ordered that the petitioner is entitled to all arrears of pension from the date of his application for pension.
Further, the court said Muthaiah will also be entitled to interest at 6 per cent per annum from the date of filing of the case till the time the arrears of pension are paid.

"Considering the fact that the respondent (Centre) is not disputing that the petitioner did apply under the scheme, he was qualified under this scheme and therefore this case was proved by the screening committee, is sufficient to allow the present writ petition," the court said.
In his plea, Muthaiah, who hails from Warangal district in Andhra Pradesh, said he had participated in Hyderabad freedom struggle against the Nizam government. On November 19, 1987, he had applied for the pension and gave the necessary papers along with the certificates of proof of freedom fighter.
He said despite recommendation from the Hyderabad Special Screening Committee for grant of pension, the Centre did not release the pension, so he approached this court in the 1998.