Supreme Court

Union of India (UOI) and Ors. vs. Ram Singh

MANU/SC/0898/2022

18.07.2022

Service

Unless the disability is attributable to or aggravated by military service and is more than 20%, the entitlement to disability pension does not arise

The Appellants, Union of India and three others, have taken an exception to the judgment and order of the Armed Forces Tribunal. By the impugned judgment and order, the Appellants were directed to release the disability pension quantified at 80% disability for life to the Respondent from the date of his discharge from military service. The Appellants were directed to pay arrears of disability pension restricted to a period of three years immediately preceding filing of the application by the respondent before the Tribunal. Interest @10% per annum was granted on the arrears.

On facts, it is an admitted position that the Respondent was granted annual leave on 6th November 1999. He proceeded on the same day to leave station. On 8th November 1999, when he was crossing the road, he suffered an accident.

The Entitlement Rules, 1982 and in particular Rule 12, defines ‘Duty’. Clause (d) of Note 2 which is a part of Rule 12 clarifies that, personnel while travelling between the place of their duty to leave station and vice-¬versa, shall be treated on duty. It is not the case made out by the Respondent that the accident occurred when he was travelling to leave station. It happened after he reached the leave station. Unless the disability is attributable to or aggravated by military service and is more than 20%, the entitlement to disability pension does not arise.

In the present case, two days after the Respondent reached the leave station, he met with an accident on a public road. There is absolutely no nexus between the Military service and injuries sustained by the Respondent. There is not even a causal connection. The Tribunal has completely overlooked this aspect which goes to the root of the matter. Hence, the Respondent was not entitled to the disability pension. Impugned Judgment is set aside. Appeal allowed.

Tags : Disability pension Payment Direction

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