In Brief
A widow of Hari Kant Jha, a freedom fighter from the 1942 independence movement, sought dependent family pension under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme, 1980. She claimed he remained 'underground' for over six months. The Supreme Court held that the Scheme is document-based: claims must be supported by primary evidence (court/government orders) or, if unavailable, a Non-Availability of Records Certificate (NARC) from the State Government plus a veteran freedom fighter's certificate. The Court found the applicant failed to produce a NARC and lacked documentary proof that the deceased was formally proclaimed a fugitive. Being an 'absconder' does not equal 'underground' status. The appeal was dismissed, upholding the High Court's decision and Central Government's rejection of the claim.
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