The High Court of Manipur has directed the state government to grant pensionary benefits to one Thounaojam Mema Devi, overturning previous denials based on allegations of fake educational certificates against her late husband.
In a recent order, a single bench of the high court, Justice A Guneshwar Sharma, observed that the denial of pension to Meme’s husband, based solely on a vigilance report alleging fake certificates, lacked a legal basis under Rule 9 of the CCS Pension Rules, 1977.
The Court highlighted that no departmental nor criminal proceedings found the late husband guilty during his service tenure, emphasising procedural lapses in the case.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that the deceased had been reinstated post initial termination due to lack of natural justice in administrative actions, with subsequent service until superannuation in 2014.
Notably, criminal proceedings against him were closed following his demise, clearing any pending allegations.
The State, represented by Ch Sundari, contended the findings of the vigilance report remained unchallenged regarding the husband’s fake certificates, citing Supreme Court precedent linking the authenticity of documents to employment validity.
Concluding the matter, the high court mandated the immediate processing of pensionary benefits and family pension for Mema Devi, directing compliance within a strict timeline of four months.
