IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS ..Appellants Versus BHAGWANI DEVI AND ANOTHER ..Respondents Reserved on: 05.02.2026 Date of decision: 07.03.2026 Uploaded on: 10.03.2026 Whether only the operative part of the judgment is pronounced? NO Whether full judgment is pronounced? YES CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE SUDEEPTI SHARMA Present: Ms. Bhavana Datta, Senior Panel Counsel, for the applicants/appellants.

Mr. Sandeep Bansal, Advocate Ms. Nishtha, Advocate for the respondents.

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SUDEEPTI SHARMA , J. (Oral)

1. The present appeal is preferred against judgment and decree dated 31.07.2023 passed by Additional Civil Judge, Senior Judge, Jhajjar, whereby, suit filed by the respondent was decreed in her favour and judgment and decree dated 11.07.2025 passed by learned Additional District Judge, Jhajjar, whereby, appeal filed by the appellants was dismissed.

2. Brief facts of the case as per the civil suit are that respondent is legally wedded wife/widow of deceased Mahender Singh. Her marriage was solemnized with deceased Mahender Singh at village Matanhail, District Jhajjar according to Hindu rites and ceremonies and out of the said wedlock two d