26 July 2024 Civil Appeals >> Civil & Consumer Law   |   Unpaid salary/bonus/gratuity >> Workplace/ Professional Related  

In a recent landmark decision in Radha Devi v/s Chief General Manager & Others, the Supreme Court of India has directed South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) to grant family pension to Radha Devi, the second wife of Jay Narayan Maharaj, who was employed with the company. This ruling, stemming from a complex and unusual set of facts, reflects the Court's commitment to ensuring justice and dignity for individuals in challenging situations.

Case Background:

Jay Narayan Maharaj retired from SECL on August 3, 1983, and his first wife, Ram Sawari Devi Sawari Devi, passed away on April 20, 1984. During Ram Sawari Devi’s lifetime, Maharaj had married Radha Devi. Following the death of his first wife, Maharaj and Radha Devi continued to live together and had children together. Maharaj himself passed away on January 19, 2001. After Maharaj’s death, Radha Devi applied for a family pension, but her application was pending for an extended period. In a bid to secure her rights, Radha Devi filed a writ petition (W.P.(S) No. 5071/2012) before the High Court of Chhattisgarh. However, her petition was dismissed, and her subsequent intra-court appeal was also rejected in an impugned judgment dated August 13, 2018.

Key Issues and Supreme Court Ruling:

The crux of the dispute lay in whether Radha Devi was entitled to a family pension despite the fact that her marriage to Maharaj occurred while he was still married to Ram Sawari Devi. While the SECL did not dispute Radha Devi’s status as a spouse after the first wife's death, it contended that the pension should not be granted due to the timing of their marriage. The Supreme Court, taking into account the unique and compassionate aspects of the case, observed that Radha Devi had lived with and cared for Maharaj following the death of his first wife. The Court emphasized that denying her the status of a spouse, which would entitle her to the family pension, would be unjust.

Final Order:

Exercising its power under Article 142 of the Constitution of India, the Supreme Court ordered SECL to provide Radha Devi with a family pension starting from January 1, 2010, up to the present date. The pension is to be paid to her for the remainder of her life, ensuring financial stability and dignity in her old age. The Court instructed Radha Devi to submit all necessary details and complete formalities with SECL within eight weeks. If SECL fails to make the payment of arrears within the specified period, they will be required to pay interest at a rate of 8% per annum from the date of the order until the payment is made. This ruling not only addresses Radha Devi’s immediate financial needs but also underscores the Court’s role in delivering justice and upholding human dignity in complex personal and legal circumstances.

Conclusion:

The Supreme Court’s decision marks a significant step in ensuring that individuals who have lived in challenging circumstances are not deprived of their rightful benefits. By upholding Radha Devi’s claim for a family pension, the Court has reinforced the principles of fairness and compassion in legal adjudication.