09.01.2026

Item No.613 (DL)

Court No.551

AJ.

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION

W.P.A. 2568 of 2025

CAN 1 of 2025

Smt. Krishna Veni

-Vs-

The Union of India & Ors.

Mr. Md. Ashraf Ali,

Mr. Rafikul Islam Sardar.

…for the petitioner.

Mr. Sukumar Bhattacharyya,

Mr. Proloy Bhattacharjee. ….for the Union of India.

Ms. Amrita Panja Moulick.

….for the State.

Mr. Sourav Mondal.

….for the respondent no.8.

1. Affidavit of service filed on behalf of the

petitioner be kept with the record.

2. This writ petition seeks issuance of a

writ of mandamus commanding the respondents to release family pension in favour of the

petitioner along with all arrears and interest.

3. The petitioner claims to be the widow of

a Freedom Fighter.

4. It is submitted that initially, the

petitioner’s request for grant of family pension was declined on the ground that there was another claimant. The petitioner thereafter filed a suit being Title Suit No. 32 of 2021 before the Court of the learned Civil Judge (Junior Division), Kharagpur, Paschim Medinipur for

declaration of the petitioner’s status as the wife of Sardar Natha Singh (since deceased). The said suit has been decreed by a judgment and decree dated December 01, 2023 thereby declaring that the petitioner is the legally married wife of Late Sardar Natha Singh and is entitled to receive all the pensionary benefits of Late. Sardar Natha Singh.

5. It is submitted by the petitioner that in view of such decree, there should not be any impediment in the petitioner receiving the pensionary benefits and that the respondent State Authorities should not keep the petitioner waiting any more.

6. Learned Advocate appearing on behalf of the respondent State Authorities hands up to Court a copy of the letter dated October 15, 2025 written by the Joint Secretary of the Government of West Bengal to the Under Secretary to the Government of India whereby the addressee authority has been requested to provide to the author of the letter “all documentary evidences regarding sanction of pension in favour of Sardar Natha Singh and Smt. Prakash Kaur”.

7. Mr. Bhattacharyya, learned Advocate appearing for the respondent nos. 1, 2 and 4 submits that he does not have any instruction as regards the said letter dated October 15, 2025 and he seeks time to take instructions.

8. A copy of the said letter has also been handed over to Mr. Bhattacharyya.

9. As prayed for, list this matter once again on January 21, 2026 to enable Mr.

Bhattacharya to avail appropriate instructions.

(Om Narayan Rai, J.)