The Madras High Court has granted time till December 6 to enable the Centre to comply with a court order of last year directing the authorities’ to sanction Central Freedom Fighter’s Pension to a 95-year-old man.
Justice N.Paul Vasanthkumar passed the further order on a contempt petition by M.Rajagopal of Solapandi village, Tiruvarur district, the freedom fighter. On October 1, 2012, the court issued a direction to sanction the pension based on the State Government’s recommendation on October 20, 1973.
On an earlier hearing date, Mr.Justice Paul Vasanthakumar had directed the Union Home Secretary (Freedom Fighters Division) to comply with the order by November 14. If no compliance order is passed by that date, the Union Home Secretary and the Under Secretary in the Home Ministry should appear before the court.
When the matter came up on Monday, Mahavir Prasad, Deputy Secretary in the Union Home Ministry and Amarchand, Under-Secretary, appeared in person. The Additional Solicitor-General, G.Masilamani, sought further time to comply with the order. The Judge posted the matter for December 6 for reporting compliance of the order.
