In Brief
A 25-year-old unmarried daughter of a deceased freedom fighter applied for continuation of her father's pension. She had never married, had no income, and lived with her nephew after her parents' death. Although she had an adult son from an extra-marital relationship, he lived separately with his own wife and did not support her. The District Collector and High Court rejected her claim, reasoning that having an adult son meant she was not dependent. The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, holding that an unmarried daughter remains eligible for freedom fighter's pension if she has not become economically independent. The existence of a separate adult son did not establish independence, as he did not reside with or support her. Pension was ordered from her mother's death (14 September 2012).
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