Two wives, family pension withheld for 25 years, high court orders release

The case revolved around Ram Sahin, a Haryana Police employee who retired on 1 August 1985 and passed away on 23 February 2000. His family pension was withheld due to a dispute between his two wives, both of whom were entitled to the benefit. The state authorities refrained from releasing the pension, citing uncertainty over the legal heir.

Petitioner Muni Bai, represented by advocates Bindu Goel, Gargi Kumar, and Pritish Goel, contended that she was the legally wedded wife and the rightful claimant. She further pointed out that the first wife had passed away on 24 July 2006 and that there was no male member in the family to support her. Given these circumstances, she sought immediate release of the pension.

The state, represented by Deputy Advocate General Palika Monga, admitted that the pension had not been released to either wife due to the dispute. The government’s stand was that the department was uncertain whether the petitioner was the legally wedded wife, as the first wife had been listed as the legal heir in the pension records.

Justice Bansal took note of the fact that neither of the deceased’s sons were alive and ruled that the authorities must verify the petitioner’s claim. If found legitimate, the pension must be released to her along with arrears. The court also permitted the authorities to consider any other potential claimants, including the wife of the deceased’s son.

The arrears will carry an interest of 6% per annum, and the authorities have been given a two-month deadline to complete the process.