Widow moves court for probe into Army official’s death

Shobha says her troubles began when she approached the Army for ex-gratia compensation. She accused that the Army changed its stance and informed her that Nalinakshan had been shot dead by his own jawan.

In the Battle Casualty certificate of July 27, 1999, it was stated that Nalinakshan had been killed in counter insurgency operations. However, this certificate was withdrawn by the Army this year, she said. A special application has also been made to the President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, Defence Minister A K Antony and CM V S Achuthanandan to inform her about the actual cause of her husband’s death.

Shobha says that on April 20, 2000, she was informed that her claim for special family pension and compensation was rejected on the ground that the cause of her husband’s death was “neither attributable to nor aggravated by his military service”. Hence, she was eligible for only ordinary family pension.

Madathil said if no action was taken by the Army within 15 days to reply to the notice, they would move the Kerala High Court against the Defence Secretary and the Army Chief.