JUDGMENT :

Shaji P. Chaly, J.

The State of Kerala and its officials have filed the captioned writ appeal challenging the judgment of a learned single Judge dated 18th June, 2020 in W.P.(C) No. 20178 of 2013, whereby Exhibit P7 order dated 22.7.2013 passed by the State Government refusing family and political pension to the legal heirs of Ravi Sharma Raja Krishna Raja, was quashed, and consequential directions were issued.

2. A fascinating and short question emerging for consideration is whether, after the repeal of Article 291 of the Constitution of India dealt with privy purses, the family of the writ petitioner is entitled to get the annuity contemplated under Article 295(2) of the Constitution of India.

3. Brief material facts for the disposal of the appeal are as follows:

Writ petitioner is a member of Malayala Brahmin family, which possessed sovereign rights over the territory of Paravur, Ernakulam District, which were relinquished in favour of the ruler of Travancore State in the year 939M.E.—corresponding to 764A.D. In consideration of the said relinquishment, the ruler of Travancore State made a grant of annuity to petitioner's family, which originally was payable partly in mone