(Reserved on 18.02.2026)

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, JABALPUR BENCH JABALPUR This Monday, the 23rd day of February, 2026 HON’BLE SMT. MALLIKA ARYA, ADMINISTRATIVE MEMBER Original Application No. 955 of 2024 Smt. Geeta Mahoriya wd/o late Ramesh Mahoriya aged about 58 years, Occ. House wife Resident of Narendra Nagar Ward No.33 Jujharpur Road, Tah.

Itarsi Distt:Narmadapuram M.P. Pin Code - 461111 -Applicant Advocate for the applicant: Shri J L Soni V e r s u s

1) The Union of India, through general Manager, West Central Railway, Indra Market Jabalpur Distt. Jabalpur M.P. Pin Code - 482001

2) The Divisional Railway Manager Western Central Railway DRM's Office, Habibganj Distt. Bhopal M.P. 463106

3). The Assistant Personnel Officer Western Central Railway DRM's Office Habibganj Distt. Bhopal M.P. 463106 -Respondents Advocate for the respondents: Shri P K Chourasiya O R D E R By way of this original Application, the applicant is seeking direction to the respondents to consider her for grant of family pension claiming to be the widow of the deceased employee, Ramesh Mahoriya.

2. Briefly stating, the facts of the case are that the husband of the applicant retired from the respondent department on 31.03.2017 and was getting pension post retirement. During his lifetime, her husband executed a registered will dated 26.03.2023 (Annexure A/5) in her favour. The applicant has also attached the registered marriage certificate dated 17.08.2022 with the deceased employee having number 39/Reader/Vi.Reg./year 2022 Narmadapuram issued by Upper Collector (Annexure A/7). The applicant claims to be the second wife of the deceased employee whom he had married after the divorce from his first wife. All the details have been furnished by her in her representation dated 20.09.2023 (Annexure A/1). The ground on which the case of the applicant for family pension has been rejected is that her name has not been mentioned in service book as a nominee. She contends that due to some anomaly, her name does not figure in the service book. The applicant’s husband was drawing pension from the respondent department after his superannuation on 31.03.2017. He died on 30.08.2023. Since she is a widow and the legally wedded wife of the deceased employee and also his legal representative, therefore, she is due for family pension. Hence, the applicant has prayed that the order issued by Respondent no. 3 (Annexure A/2) be quashed and a direction be issued to Respondent no. 3 to grant her family pension with all consequential benefits. 3. The respondents on the other hand have submitted that the deceased employee was posted as Safaiwala in the Railway Hospital, Itarsi. In his service records, the name of Mrs. Rajni Bai has been mentioned as his wife. The applicant Smt. Geeta Mahoriya has submitted a marriage registration certificate issued by the Additional Collector and Special Marriage Officer, District-Narmadapuram (Annexure A-7). However, she has not provided any evidence regarding the divorce between the deceased employee and Mrs. Rajni Bai, which is necessary to establish the validity of the applicant's marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act. The applicant’s husband died on 30.08.2023. He was drawing pension after his superannuation on 31.03.2017. Since both Mrs. Rajni Bai and the applicant are claiming family pension, hence the claim has become disputed. As a result, both Mrs. Rajni Bai and the applicant were informed via office letter No. PMR/KA- BHO/Final Settlement/Ramesh, dated 04.09.2023, to obtain a succession certificate from the competent court. They have attached the copies of applications received by them from the applicant and from Mrs. Rajni Bai (Annexure R-1 & R-2).

4. I have heard both the learned counsel for the parties and perused the pleadings on record. I have also considered the rival submissions.

5. I take note of the the respondents’ contention that they have asked the applicant to produce a succession certificate from the court of competent juri