(Reserved on 20.11.2025)

Central Administrative Tribunal Allahabad Bench, Allahabad ****

Original Application No.146 of 2022 This the 20^th Day of January, 2026.

Hon’ble Mr. Rajnish Kumar Rai, Member (J)

Savitri Dharamsheela W/O Saligram, aged about 56 years R/O Vill. Daulatpur Majra Asgarpur, Pargana Sahal Sumari, Tehsheel Sahabad, Dist. Hardoi. Present residence Vill-Charouli, Post-Korriya, Dist.-Hardoi.

….Applicant By Advocate: Mr. Dharmendra Tiwari Versus

1. Union of India through the General Manager, Northern Railway, Baroda House, New Delhi.

2. The Divisional Railway Manager, Northern Railway, Moradabad Division, Moradabad.

3. The Divisional Moradabad. Personal Officer, Northern Railway Moradabad Division, 4. Vidiyawati second wife of Late Saligram.

5. Aditiya Kumar Verma S/O Saligram.

6. Vishal Kumar S/O Saligram.

7. Himanshu Verma S/O Saligram R/o All Private Respondent No.4 to 7 Vill. Daulatpur Majra Pargana Sahal Sumari, Tehsheel Shahabad, Dist. Hardoi.

.…Respondents By Advocate: Mr. Krishna Kumar Ojha Mr. Jitendra Srivastava

ORDER

Learned counsel for both the parties are present and heard.

2. The applicant has approached this Tribunal under Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, praying for the following relief(s):-

“1. To direct the respondents to release the amount of post retrial benefits in as much as family pension to the applicant arisen out from the death of her husband along with 18% interest P/A.

2. Issue any other and further writ, orders or directions, which this Hon'ble court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case.

3. Award cost of the Original Application to the Applicant.”

3. The brief facts of the case, as narrated in the Original Application, are that the applicant is the legally wedded wife of Late Saligram, who was a permanent employee of the respondents since 27.02.1987 and was working as Trackman under respondent No.2. The deceased employee died in harness on 29.08.2015. The applicant asserts that she was never divorced and continues to be the legally wedded wife of the deceased employee. After the death of her husband, the applicant submitted representations dated 09.09.2015, 01.07.2016 and 05.05.2017 seeking release of post-retiral benefits and family pension. However, respondent No.2, vide letter dated 25.02.2016, required the applicant to submit a succession certificate, which according to the applicant, was contrary to the applicable rules. Nevertheless, the applicant submitted a succession certificate issued by the District Magistrate, Hardoi dated 26.05.2016 along with her application dated 01.07.2016. Despite the same, the respondents have failed to settle her claim till date. Aggrieved by the inaction of the respondents, the applicant has approached this Tribunal by filing the present Original Application. The applicant has placed reliance on the decision of this Tribunal in O.A. No. 169 of 2012, Smt. Ram Devi & Ram Pyari Vs.

Union of India & Others, decided on 07.12.2021

4. A short counter affidavit has been filed on behalf of the official respondents, wherein, it is contended that after the death of Late Saligram, two women, namely, Smt. Savitri Dharmshila (the applicant) and Smt. Vidyawati, are claiming to be the legally wedded wife of the deceased employee. It is stated that on the basis of an order passed by a competent court of law, the applicant has been receiving maintenance at the rate of Rs.1500/- per month. It is further contended that during his lifetime, the deceased employee had nominated the second wife in the Provident Fund nomination form and had also mentioned her name for availing LIC benefits. It is also stated that Case No. 35 of 2016 under Section 372 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925 is pending before the competent court. In view of competing claims by two alleged wives for payment of death-cum-retiral benefits, and in the absence of final adjudication by the court, the official respondents have contended that they are unable to grant the re