‘Adopted son has the same rights’: Punjab and Haryana HC ends 19-year dispute, directs PSEB to release pension with interest

The Punjab and Haryana High Court says prolonged litigation by the state deprived a deceased PSEB employee’s adopted son of timely dues, upholds adoption and concurrent findings of trial and first appellate courts.

Punjab and Haryana High Court, Jagan Nath, Jokhu Ram,

The appeal arose from a civil suit decreed in 2005 in favour of Jagan Nath, who claimed the family pension and other service benefits of Jokhu Ram. (File photo)

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday dismissed a regular second appeal filed by the Punjab State Electricity Board and others, ending a legal dispute that began in 2006 and directing the authorities to release all pensionary and retiral benefits to a deceased PSEB employee’s adopted son, along with interest at 9 per cent per annum.

Justice Sudeepti Sharma upheld the concurrent findings of the trial court and the first appellate court, observing that the prolonged litigation had unjustly deprived Jagan Nath of his legitimate dues for nearly two decades.

The appeal arose from a civil suit decreed in 2005 in favour of Jagan Nath, who claimed the family pension and other service benefits of Jokhu Ram, who had served with the PSEB as a watchman for about 30 years and died unmarried. Jagan Nath asserted that he was validly adopted by Jokhu Ram in 1990 through a registered adoption deed, with the consent of his biological parents.

Rejecting the PSEB’s challenge to the adoption, the high court noted that the adoption deed dated December 26, 1990, stood duly proved, along with the endorsement made the following day. The court recorded that both biological parents had appeared as witnesses and supported the adoption, while documentary evidence showed that Jokhu Ram had treated Jagan Nath as his son and nominee.

Dealing with the argument that the adoption was invalid because the adoptee was allegedly over 15 years of age, the court held that the record clearly showed otherwise. “At page No. 2 of the adoption deed, the age of the respondent is referred to as about 14 years of age,” the judgment noted, adding that the testimony of the biological parents corroborated this position.

The court also took note of the PSEB’s conduct, pointing out that unpaid salary and other amounts had already been released to Jagan Nath on the basis that he was the son and legal heir of the deceased employee.

In a pointed observation on the delay, Justice Sharma recorded that the second appeal, filed in 2006, had been decided “after almost 19 years, because of which the respondent is deprived of his right to benefits”. The court said justice demanded that the respondent should not be forced into further execution proceedings.

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Accordingly, while dismissing the appeal, the high court directed the appellants to disburse all benefits due to Jagan Nath, including the family pension and other retirement dues, along with interest at 9 per cent per annum, within two months. The parties were left to bear their own costs.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More