JUDGMENT - DAGA V.C., J.:---The petitioner, a freedom fighter recognised by the State of Maharashtra, is claiming pension under the Swatantra Sainik Samman Pension Scheme ("Scheme" for short) which was introduced by the Government of India with the object of providing grant of pension to the living freedom fighters, their families and to the families of martyrs.

FACTUAL MATRIX:

2. The factual matrix emerging from the documents filed with the petition are that the petitioner had preferred a claim for grant of Swatantra Sainik Samman Pension ("pension" for short), vide his letter-cum-application dated 24th July, 1981. In support of his claim he had produced two certificates from prominent freedom fighters as required by the scheme, certifying therein that the petitioner was underground during Goa Liberation Movement of 1955.

3. The application preferred by the petitioner came to be rejected by respondent No. 2, Union of India vide letter dated 8th August, 1986 issued under the signature of the Under Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Freedom Fighters Division, New Delhi only on the sole ground that the documentary evidence does not prove claim of suffering.

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